Barnsley 28 v Leos 6

Leos travelled to Barnsley to play only their second game in 6/7 weeks. Conditions were similar to those encountered in the corresponding fixture last year with a strong breeze blowing across the pitch and a steady drizzle making life difficult for both sets of players.

It was Barnsley who handled the conditions better, aided by the inability of the Leos forwards to obtain and keep first phase possession particularly at the line-out. Consequently Barnsley controlled possession and field position for the first 25 minutes and were rewarded by 2 tries from catch and drives; one from their huge second-row and another from their excellent No.8 and captain, who had an outstanding game.

Both conversions were missed but two indiscretions at the ruck led to two penalties from the home stand-off to put Barnsley into a deserved 16-0 lead.

Finally, Leos managed to raise their game and for the last 15 minutes of the first-half, but in spite of intense pressure the Barnsley defence held firm and Leos only reward was 2 penalties converted by “Monty” Wainwright.

It was hoped that the pressure exerted late in the first half would encourage Leos to better things in the second, and it was vital that we scored first to put the home side under some pressure.

There were some encouraging forays early on but the Barnsley full-back cleared his lines on several occasions, using his big boot and the wind to press Leos back in their own half. Eventually the pressure told and the other second-row burst through a tired defence to score a converted try and this was followed by another catch and drive late on in the game.

This was a disappointing performance, by their own admission, from our boys, who will hopefully benefit from the game and turn things round at home next week against an improving Doncaster Phoenix. That said it would be unkind not to praise the quality of the Barnsley performance in difficult conditions and on this showing they should win more games than they lose in the second half of the season.”

Report by Ian Nicholson
Leos scorers: penalty Wainwright x2
Leos:Liu, Baker, Winter, Wainwright, Sleight, Henry, Wood, Connell, McIntosh, Dowling, Debenham, Chesters, Levitt, Barden, Lane : Subs, Loughenbury, Haslam, Freear