Leos 14 v West Leeds 17

Report by Peter Cooke
Leos entertained West Leeds,who are having their best opening to a season for many years,with four straight victories,putting them second in the division.Leos were able to select one of their stronger packs,with Martin McIntosh returning after a broken finger and Tim Fforde,making a seasons debut,to join Jordache Myerscough in a powerful front five.However,resources were severely stretched in the backs,with the versatile Dave Barden switching to fly half,after an impressive scrum half display in the victory at Skipton.James Henry dropped to full back,allowing Joe Newcombe to return at scrum half,with experience on the wings,in the shape of Tom Bindloss and a seasons debut for Stu Norton.The bench has been heavilly used this year and James Scott was joined by further season debutants,Simon Dowling and Tom Tweedle.

West Leeds played with the benefit of a strong breeze and made good use of it throughout the first half.Leos forwards quickly gained the upper hand,with an early strike against the head and secure lineout ball,but it was the visitors threequarters who had the attacking threat.They opened the scoring on 10 mins,when the right winger ran a good line,to score direct from a lineout and doubled their lead to 14 points on 24mins,when their threequarters countered from the half way line and found space in mid field.

Leos enjoyed sufficient possession,but could make little headway against a solid defence,although James Henry was confident and calm under a string of high balls and Joe Newcombe was his industrious self,behind a dominant pack.

The second half started in similar fashion,as the wind appeared to drop,Leos lacked their usual speed and incision and the West Leeds defence hardly missed a tackle.James Henry was short with a long distance penalty attempt,before Wests increased their lead,with a short range penalty on 57mins.However,the wind noticeably picked up,as did the intensity of the running from the Leos forwards.Chris Lewis and Stuart Baker began to drive their oppenents backwards,Richie Howells and Andy Walker started to turn ball over,Lenny Lane was beginning to find spaces,whilst Jordache Myerscough and Tim Fforde provided lineout ball.

A tremendous 20m driving maul,could only be stopped on the line illegally and the visitors were reduced to fourteen men for 10mins.The constant pressure eventually told,when quick ball was released down the left by Newcombe,Lenny Lane found a sensational 'round the corner' pass,for Stu Norton to streak in from 30m,with James Henry adding the conversation on 72mins

Runs from Danny Thompson, Jordache Myerscough and Andy Walker set up further field position,the tiring Wests forwards began to constantly kill quick ball, and eventually conceded a penalty try on 78mins,when a player was taken out,in the act of scoring,14 - 17.

In the final couple of minutes,Leos looked as if they could actually win the game,with James Henry, Mark McDaid and Tom Tweedle all making half breaks,but the ball would not go to hand,a little penetration was lacking and West Leeds deservedly hung on for victory,based on their first 60min performance.

Elsewhere,Selby and Sheffield Medics continue unbeaten and meet next week,whilst Leos next opponents,West Park shared an incredible 88 points with Hullensians,leaving Leos,West Park and Hullensians all equal in mid table on 11league points.

The once mighty Morley,were unable to raise a second team,so conceded to Leos seconds,who now go top of Yorks Merit 1.Next weekend also sees the debut of Gabriels Occassionals XV at Aireborough,so anyone wanting a social run out,should make early contact.Finally,match reports,going back to the 2009/10 season are still available to be read,by going to the relevant Team Page and merely changing the season shown.

Henry,Norton,Thompson,McDaid,Bindloss,Newcombe,Barden,Lewis,
McIntoshBaker,Myerscough,Fforde,Walker,Lane,Howells.Subs,Scott,
Dowling,Tweedle