Leos 42 v Roundhegians 23

Report by Peter Cooke
After a relatively low profile pre season,the 2012 league season kicked off with a local derby against Roundhegians,last seasons worthy Champions of Yorks 3.On ironically the warmest saturday of the summer,which has seen the cricket season decimated,a large crowd of former players/Vice Presidents,representing over 50 yrs of Leos rugby,gathered for lunch.

Despite a number of injuries to the first team squad a useful team was eventually assembled,under new skipper Monty Wainwright,who himself had to move to scrum half.He was partnered by James Henry,returning from Otley,whilst Mark Winter answered a late call to partner Danny Thompson in the centre,as did Nick Freear,to join Gareth Chesters in the second row.The back row of Nick Burdon, Richie Howells and Dave Barden,lacked the usual size,but this was more than made up for with speed and experience,whilst this season the new unlimited rolling substitutions make the bench even more important and saw debutants Vinnie O'Brien and Johnny Moore,joined by the calming influence of Peter Loughenbury.

Leos,playing with the breeze behind them,opened promisingly,but were met by resolute Hegians defence and they themselves looked to counter attack at every oppourtunity,particularly down their right flank.A Leos midfield break,created by James Scott and Chris Lewis,saw Leos storm into the visitors 20m and when they killed the quick ball, Nick Wainwright converted the simple penalty on 8 mins.Minor injuries were to litter the game for both sides,too many to mention,so the new substitution rule was soon brought into effect.Leos were enjoying the better field position,through the boot of James Henry,but Hegians defence looked secure,particularly around the ruck,where MontyWainwright found little space.

A clever delayed ball from Tom Bindloss,put Mark Winter into space,but a try saving tackle was made,allowing the visitors to counter up field and equalise the score at 3 - 3,with a straight forward penalty on 25 mins of bright,entertaining rugby.

The Leos front row of Ed Connell, James Scott and Chris Lewis,began to exert a nudge at the scrums,but Hegians were always able to maintain possession,via their impressive James Dobson,short passes and good support play.Leos couldn't make their pressure tell and crucial tackles had to be made by Dave Barden, Richie Howells and Gareth Chesters,when Roundhegians rumbled down mid field.As half time approached,field position began to turn,as Leos conceded penalties.Strong defence from Peter Loughenbury and Ed Connell,saw the visitors held up over the line,but the visitors forwards drove over from their next possession,to put them 3 - 10 ahead,on 36mins.

Immediately from the restart,Hegians broke down their favoured right side and an off load of Greg Inglis proportions put their winger Andrew Lewis in the clear,for a half time score of 3 - 15.

Leos coaching duo of Matt Greenwood and Si Worrall set to work,demanding more intelligence and accuracy,whilst further changes to personnel were forced upon them through minor knocks.Leos opened the second half with greater enthusiasm and intensity,the forwards led by the experienced Nick Freear and Nick Burdon,recycled five sets of possession, Tim Sleight got the ball wide,where Johny Moore and Vinnie O'Brien delightfully combined down the left,for a trademark Leos try finished by debutant O'Brien,with James Henry narrowing the gap to 10 - 15.

With James Scott accurately finding Nick Freear at the lineout,Leos began to monopolise possession and powerful work from Richie Howells and Dave Barden forced Hegians to concede a penalty,allowing James Henry to further reduce the deficit to just two points on 50 mins,with an impressive 35m penalty.

Leos were now playing with increased confidence,with Danny Thompson punching holes in midfield and James Lund receiving more ball out on the right wing,regularly stretching the visitors defence.Quick ball set up by Chris Lewis and Richie Howells,gave James Henry options,a delightful soft pass and great angle of running,put Gareth Chesters into space,from where he appeared to charge over from some 30m.However, after the game Gareth Chesters confirmed that his run was nearer 60m and apparently involved him side stepping the full back.Either way,Leos had taken the lead for the first time at 18 - 15

On 58mins as one would expect,Roundhegians came back strongly,more good support play based around their fly half James Dobson,resulted in a penalty when Leos failed to clear a ruck and the scores were level with 20 mins to go.

Leos however were in the ascendancy.A chip ahead by James Henry resulted in a late tackle on him.A penalty to the corner,accurate ball from James Scott,angles of running from the three quarters and Mark Winter proved too quick and elusive for the visitors defence.With the James Henry conversion,Leos had a little clear water at 25 - 18..

The visitors appeared to be tiring,Tim Sleight broke from a ruck Tom,Bindloss linked from the back,Mark Winter drew his man,James Lund was on his outside to take the perfectly timed pass and the winger finished off the 50m move in the corner,for a scoreline of 30 - 18,with 10 mins to go,together with the important bonus point.Leos were now in rampant mood,Nick Freear confidently fielded a high ball,Ed Connell fed Chris Lewis, Dave Bardon linked with Moore and the surging DannyThompson,was too quick and strong for the depleted defence.

Hegians certainly deserved something out of the game and immediately went in search of a losing bonus point.They secured set piece ball,broke a tackle,found space out to the right,for a well worked try and just a 12 point defecit.However,on the final whistle,the hard working duo of Richie Howells and Dave Barden combined,Richie Howells charged a clearance kick down and Dave Barden was on hand to pick up the loose ball and make the final 15m to the line,for a final score of 42 - 23,withJames Henry adding on the additional two points.

An enjoyable game of open rugby,to entertain a large crowd,as usual,quietly and effectively refereed by Glen Cockroft,who sees no need to make himself the centre of attention.Both sides should take great credit from the game played in very good spirit.Roundhegians look well placed to maintain their new status,whilst Leos will require better availability,for a stiff task at promotion seeking Selby next week.

Paul Marshall,will be delighted to learn that the pitch is in excellent condition,thanks to the persistent summer rain and more particularly the efforts put in by Alun Gabriel - assistance would be appreciated.Other results on the opening day,included an impressive win for Sheffield Medics at Bradford Salem,whilst Yarnbury pipped West Park in another local derby.

The seconds did remarkably well to win at Roundhegians,but the withdrawals were too much for the thirds to handle,going down to the same opposition.Finally,on a housekeeping note,it will be very helpful if all new players,supporters and members could register for free on the website,to assist news,communication etc.Just click on Club Membership and enter your e-mail details.