west park leeds 18 v leos 17

Report by Peter Cooke
Leos took the back roads to Bramhope,in search of a record equalling, fifth straight success over their near neighbours. Both Clubs enjoyed successful 2011/12 campaigns, finishing in the top five, but have suffered stuttering starts to the new season, largely as a result of numerous injuries.

The sides started the day, equal on points, in mid table, so another competitive game was expected. West Park are finally nearing full strength, whilst Leos were able to field a largely unchanged pack and were strengthened in the backs, with the return of Mark Winter and Jonny Moore, whilst Goodwin, a recruit from Sheffield Medics, made his debut on the right wing.

An impressive bench, saw the return of Ed Connell, Rob Gamage and James Debenham and the experienced,injured spine of Monty Wainwright, James Knibbs, Dave Robinson, Tim Sleight and Si Worrall, should all return shortly.

Playing down the slope, Leos made a disastrous start, when weak tackling allowed the home No 8 to score, swiftly followed, by their left winger, when Leos allowed their threequarters,far too much space from the restart.12 - 0 after a few minutes.

Leos gradually worked their way back into the game,with the front row of Stuart Baker,Martin McIntosh and Chris Lewis,gaining parity with their larger opponents.Leos themselves began to look dangerous with ball in hand,with impressive glimpses from Goodwin and Stu Norton being tackled just short.

Leos got on the board in the 21 min,when pressure from Joe Newcombe on a defender,resulted in a penalty for jonny Moore,for not releasing,but a similar oppourtunity was missed shortly afterwards.The powerful Danny Thompson was held just a metre short out to the right, whilst Leos executed an overlap to the left flank but the difficult scoring pass could not be taken. Finally however, pressure told, when accurate lineout ball was taken by Tim Fforde and Mark Winter ran an intelligent angle,to score beneath the posts on 36mins.The Moore conversion,gave a half time score of 12 - 10,to the home side.

The second half followed a similar pattern.Each side was secure on their own ball,LennyLane was strong at the base of the scrum and Leos began to obtain turnover ball,whilst Park were always dangerous in the counter attack.On such an occassion,they increased their lead with a simple penalty for not releasing on 48mins.

Leos were visibly growing in confidence and the forwards were held just short out to the right,before quick ball from Dave Barden and Jordache Myerscough,found James Henry in space.The former Otley player,demonstrated good footwork and strength to score to the left of the posts and added the conversion himself,to put Leos ahead for the first time on 56 mins.

The open game then fluctuated from end to end,with both sides having scoring opportunities and the sides scrambling well in defence.The final twist however,was a Park penalty,under the sticks on 75 mins,to nudge them back into the lead.

Leos earned a final chance to secure the game,but the long range penalty fell wide,and for the second week in succession,the game finished with Leos looking for the winning score,attacking down both flanks,before Goodwin was well tackled into touch.

An impressive 78 mins from Leos,but in the ever competitive Yorks 2,that was not quite good. The reality is the game could have gone either way but the home side just hung on to take the points..Elsewhere,Selby won the top of the table meeting at Sheffield Medics,whilst Moortown won the basement fixture over Castleford.

Congratulations also to Ian Kirke and the Leeds Rhinos, who won a terrific Grand Final at Old Trafford.Fortunately,it seems Ians attempt to give food poisoning to his collegues,by serving them under cooked chicken, didn't cost them the game. Next week, Leos have another derby, at home to Yarnbury.

Moore,Goodwin,Winter,Thompson,Norton,Henry,Newcombe,Lewis,McIntosh,Baker
Fforde,Myerscough,Walker,Lane,Bardon.Connell,Debenham,Gamage.