Leos 23 v Selby 17

Leos welcomed Selby and their supporters for the first time for some years on a pleasant sunny day with perfect conditions underfoot, and a strong breeze blowing , unusually, across the pitch towards the clubhouse.

The game started in a similar vein to last week’s with the visitors taking the game to the home side. They handled well , ran with confidence and were quick into the tackle, limiting the strong and speedy Leos backs. Their back row either slowed down or turned over ball at the breakdown and dominated possession and were rewarded when space was created for one of the back row to score under the posts, which was duly converted giving Selby a 7-0 lead.

Leos clawed their way back into the game by means of fly-half Jimmy Henry using the elements and his big boot to relieve pressure and just before half-time Selby infringed, the resultant lineout taken by Debenham and hooker McIntosh was driven over to reduce the arrears. Half –time Leos 5 – 7 Selby.

The second half initially was a mirror of the first with Leos winning an increasing amount of ball, Selby defending well and having their own periods of attack. Curiously both Selby half backs chose to put the ball through hand rather than use the wind which was now helping them and the Leos defence remained strong until the hour when a well worked move and good backing up saw their full back score a good try which was again converted to increase the lead to 14-5.

This seemed to spur the Leos into action and their resolve was encouraged by a massive hit by Jimmy Henry on the powerful Selby left winger. Possession increased thanks to good work by Levitt and Lane and they were rewarded by a penalty under the posts for a high tackle. Henry duly converted to make it 8-14.

With 10 minutes to go further pressure saw the ball moved swiftly left to find Chesters on the overlap and his burst and successful transfer saw Neal Liu sprint over for an unconverted try, 13-14.

A further infringement was duly converted to put Leos in front for the first time and just before the final whistle Henry spotted a gap and from 30 metres scored a try which he converted.

From the restart Selby worked their way downfield and were rewarded for their spirited and skilful efforts with a penalty, which was converted to earn them a well-deserved bonus point.Leos 23 – Selby 17

With Barnsley held to a draw, Leos opened up a 4 point gap over them. A big win by Yarnbury over Moortown saw them draw level on points with Barnsley and Leos face them both on the next two Saturdays. Big matches both.
report by Ian Nicholson

Leos: Liu; Sleight, Callaghan, Barden, Baker, Henry Haire; Connell, McIntosh, Lewis, Debenham, Chesters, Farad, Lane, Levitt.
Subs: Loughenbury, Bell, Bindloss.
Scorers: Tries: Liu ,McIntosh, Henry, Cons;Henry (1); Pens, Henry (2)