Report by Ian Nicholson

Both sides were missing key players due to injury or unavailability. The game was played with a fairly stiff breeze blowing across the field which both sides struggled to master with kicks from outside the 22 regularly being blown out of play on the full. However, handling was not affected and both sides tried to move the ball with both sides enjoying success and territorial advantage throughout the first half.

The Leos heavier forwards had the better of the set pieces until skipper Dave Robinson suffered another torn calf on his return to the side and had to leave the field to be replaced by Stuart Baker.

The well-drilled student forwards then exerted some pressure at the scrum and the Leos lineout struggled to win ball. The result of a concerted period of pressure led to a penalty being awarded to Sheffield for not releasing in the tackle and this was converted for them to lead 0-3. The lead was short lived and Barden converted a penalty for a similar offence 3-3. Shortly after Leos found field position near the Sheffield 22 and a delayed pass from Dave Barden found Mark Winter running a lovely line and doing what he does best -standing the full-back up and scoring with ease to gain the lead 8-3.

Undeterred Sheffield took advantage of a penalty near the Leos line and from the resulting lineout drove over for an unconverted try just before half-time 8-8.

The second half was a mirror image of the first , but with the wind strengthening and more in favour of Leos they played a territorial game and it proved difficult for the Medics to get out of their own half. However, the Leos lineout, normally so reliable really struggled to win it’s own ball and consequently the Medics were able to clear their lines. The game continued in this vein for 30 minutes with Leos having the better territorial advantage but the Medics pace and fitness through the side causing Leos to defend desperately for short periods, the highlight being a great tackle from Tom Bindloss stopping a rampaging Medic forward in his tracks just yards from the line.

10 minutes from time a period of pressure in the Medics 22 enabled Joe Newcombe to provide the scoring pass to Andy Walker to dive over for the try 13-8. Medics threw caution to the wind in an effort to score but Leos defence held firm and managed to gain a deserved a much needed win.

Leos: Bindloss, Lund, Winter, O’Brien, Coleman, Barden, Newcombe; Connell, McIntosh, Robinson, Debenham, Myerscough, Farad, Walker, Howells. Subs: Baker, Derry, Burdon

Leos RUFC

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