Bradford Salem 25 v Leos 18

Report by Ian Nicholson

Both sides missing players. Bright but cold afternoon. Salem had the better of the opening exchanges and led early on through two penalties converted by stand-off Robinson. Leos got back into the match and pressed for a breakthrough but good work was often spoiled by poor control or trying the “glory pass” when we’d have been better laying the ball back and capitalising on the ground gained.

Too often ground and possession was given away allowing Salem to take play back into our half. About 10 minutes before half time Leos turned over a Salem attack and with a 3 to 1 overlap ran out of defence only for the lone defender to read the pass and intercept for a stroll under the posts to make it 13-0.

Leos fought back well and after a period of sustained pressure the forwards peeled from a lineout and good inter-passing between Ed Connell and Jordache Myerscough left Richie Howells to take the scoring pass and dive over. Dave Barden converted to make the half-time score 13-7.

The second half was a mirror of the first with Leos still giving away easy ground through silly mistakes and several mis fields from speculative Salem kicks which if collected cleanly would have put pressure on them. However, they took advantage of the field position they had been granted and scored from a good catch and drive from fully 20 yards. The conversion was missed and Salem extended their lead to 18-7. This spurred Leos into action and good play forced Salem to concede 2 penalties in a 5 minute spell which Dave Barden converted from 45 yards to bring the score to 18-13.

The scores were soon level when Richie Howells broke blind from a scrum on the Salem 10 metre line and fed winger Pete Goodwin who raced 35 yards to score in the corner. 18-18 with 15 minutes to go and Leos starting to exert pressure.

The game was won when a series of penalties to Salem gave them the field position to catch and drive for the line. Leos appeared to have defended this well when the maul collapsed and the ref awarded a penalty try, somewhat surprisingly to all present, Salem supporters & players included.

Leos pressed hard to get a share of the points but a last minute lineout on the Salem line was safely secured and cleared to touch.
Somewhat scrappy game but played in the right spirit. A draw would have been a fair result, although I’m sure Salem would think they did enough to gain the home win.

Fantastic tackling display from Joe Newcombe playing in the centre. Textbook stuff cutting his man down from below the knees.Lenny Lane was named Leos man-of –the- match by Salem and he was pushed all the way yet again by Richie Howells. They were both outstanding.
Leos: Bindloss, Moore, Thompson, Newcombe, Goodwin, Gamage, Barden; Connell, McIntosh, Baker; Myerscough, Debenham, Farad, Howells, Lane. Subs: Scott,Burdon, O’Brien