Barnsley 17 Leos 3

Leos travelled south on Saturday to Barnsley with the new coaching team of Matt Greenwood and Andy Rook feeling satisfied with the commitment from the squad in their first training sessions on Tuesday and Thursday since taking charge of the 1st team.

On inspection of the pitch the referee deemed the game playable, but is was clear that this was going to be a mud bath as the pitch was in poor condition with water lying heavily on the surface following the mornings down pour of rain.

Leos made a number of changes from last weeks victory over Huddersfield Ymca with Matt Freear returning at full back, Mark Winter moved to number 10, Ross Litherland resumed in the front row, and Dave Barden started at number 7.

Barnsley started the game a point ahead of ourselves having narrowly been beaten last Saturday by league leaders north ribblesdale by 2 points.

Barnsley kicked off and it was Leos who exerted the early pressure and dominated territory and possession. Leos pack driven on by Nick Freear and Lenny Lane made good yardage through the mud. Despite the atrocious playing conditions, fly half Mark winter tried to play the ball out wide through the backs and centre Knibbsy produced some enterprising play and from a good run was pulled up just short of the Barnsley line.

Following a heal against the head from Mackintosh, Mark Winter broke blind and chipped over the defence but unfortunately his kick slithered tantalising over the dead ball line.

Both kickers Matt Freear for Leos and appleyard for Barnsley had the opportunity of putting points on the board following forward infringements from both sides, neither were able to convert these into points and the first 30 minutes went by with Leos having the fair share of the game but the Barnsley defence and Barnsley mud kept the visitors at bay.

Stu Baker made a great run where he charged 25 metres through the home defence only to be pulled down by 3 defenders. There were also good runs from Neil Lui and Mark Mc Daid but again a determined defence kept them out.

The forward s had shown great commitment with the entire 8 forwards working hard under the guidance and strict instructions of head coach matt greenwood.

The ref blew for half time with the score Barnsley 0 Leos 0.

Matt Greenwood and Andy Rook asked for the same commitment over the next 40 minutes. Leos should have been a couple of scores ahead at the break but for some spited defending by the home side.

The pitch had cut up badly and the ref asked for a change of shirts by Barnsley at the interval and it was becoming increasingly difficult to differentiate the players through the Barnsley mud.
Matt freear had to be replaced at half time as he had a back injury and on came Stu Norton.

On 45 minutes home fly half Armstrong opened the scoring as the ref judged a hand in the ruck allowing him a penalty from in front of the sticks. Barnsley 3 Leos 0.

Leos were not to be outdone as they charged back in to the Barnsley side and Dowling Litherland and Burdy made good yardage through pick and drives.

On 50 minutes Leos were awarded a penalty 28 metres our and Mark Winter slotted the kick to level the scores. Barnsley 3 Leos 3.

On 55 minutes Simon Dowling who had performed well in the front row injured his neck to be replaced by Lofty.

On 54 minutes with Barnsley started to gain more possession and scored a well worked try through the strong running of centre smith who charged 18 metres to score near the posts with Appleyard adding the conversion. Barnsley 10 Leos 3

The conditions were taking its toll on both sides as it was becoming increasing difficult to pass the ball out wide and it was becoming a game of attrition between the forwards.

Barnsley continued to mount the pressure but Leo’s defence was superb in keeping them out. Pressure had to give and it was on 72 minutes that number 8 Harris scored the try, which sealed victory for the home side when he was pushed over the line following intelligent work by the home forwards.
Appleyard slotted the conversion, Barnsley 17 Leos 3.

The final few minutes of the game were played out in the middle of the park when the re blew his whistle for full toe Barnsley 17 Leos 3.

Whilst disappointed at losing, the game was a lot closer than the final score suggested and if Leos had been able to convert the pressure in the first half then it might have been a different story. The new coaching staffs were pleased with the team s attitude and commitment in what were terrible playing conditions.

The Leos man of the match award went to flanker Dave Barden who was in the thick of the action for the 80 minutes.

Leos move on to next week when we entertain Goole at crag lane in the league kick off 2.15pm

Teams
Leos: Matt Freear, Baker, McDaid, Knibbs, Lui, Winter, Wood, Dowling, Macintosh, Litherland, Nick Freear, Stafforsd, Burdon, Lane Barden, Loffrty, Norton

Barnsley:Reid, Beck, Gaunt, Grayt, Smith, Appleyard, Peel, Smith, Steadman, Pearson, Wood, Iles, Roberts, Wragg, Harris