Saturday, saw the commencement of the second half of the season, with the visit of Goole to Crag Lane. The first half of the season had been a little disappointing for Leos, where we find ourselves in the wrong half of the league table.

Goole, promoted last season, are finding the new season much more difficult, due to the loss of several senior players, whilst in the away fixture earlier in the season, Leos were lucky to escape with a narrow victory, thanks to a late try from centre Knibbs.

After the disappointing defeat at Barnsley last Saturday, Leos were strengthened by the return of Connell and Fforde, whilst the backs appeared to have a nice balance of speed and direct running and it was good to see former coach Simon Worrall on the touchline, fresh from his pre season training with Toulouse.

Despite the cold weather a smaller than normal crowd were gathered which was partly due to Goole having hardly any supporters who had travelled across the M62.Leos supporters were in good form with Jimmy Forton donning his wellington boots to touch judge as well as give advice to the Leos front row!

Leos opened enthusiastically, with Bardon making early inroads, McDaid seizing on a loose ball to make ground and the front row taking a strike against the head at the first scrum. Leos continued to press and when McIntosh, stole a second strike, helped by Litherland and Connell, Winter broke to the left, giving an early ball to Liu, who brilliantly stood up his opposite number, before accelerating around the outside to score an excellent early try, with Freear adding the conversion Leos 7 Goole 0

With Lane already in the blood bin, a Leo’s scrum was picked up by Fforde, who fed Wood and with Freear linking from full back, Baker was put away 40m out, to score under the posts. A second conversion put Leos 14 points up after 10 mins.

For the next 10 mins Leos conceded half a dozen soft penalties for talking back to the referee and going off their feet at the ruck.Traditionally, Goole have a strong pack and efficient line out, so Leos were forced to defend around the fringes, with Burdon, Freear and Litherland all having to make important tackles.However, one penalty too many, allowed Goole to reduce the arrears on 25mins, with a simple kick from 15m.Leos 14 Goole 3

The home side were clearly the better team and when the errors/penalties were cut out, the backs and forwards linked well to send Winter away, before a terrific driving maul, led by Lenny Lane and Ross Litherland, released quick ball to Chilly Wood, who put Neil Liu away down the left. A perfectly timed pass to the supporting Knibbs, resulted in the third try and with Freear adding the touch line conversion, Leos led by 21 - 3, after 32mins.

The Leos front row had won every scrum in the first 30 minutes taking 5 against the head and there were smiles on the face of Connell, McIntosh and Litherland as ex first team hooker and maestro Jimmy Forton tried to take the accolades for the advice he had given from the touchline to his pals in the heart of the scrum!

The half ended with Leos attacking, but a slight lack of patience cost Leos further scores. A strong, dominant performance from Leos, against a tenacious Goole side, The message was drummed home at halftime, when coach Greenwood demanded more concentration but the coaching staff and home supporters were clearly in happy mood in what had been a great Leos first half performance.

Early in the second half, Goole won retreating scrum ball, but a pass was cleverly intercepted by Chilly Wood, who found his half back partner,Winter,supporting up the central channel in Sean Edwards mode, to run in from 35m.Freear added his fourth conversion from four attempts, Leos 28 Goole 3

Leos went straight back onto the attack and great back play was thwarted when Matt Freear final pass went to ground, after Knibbs and McDaid had combined to give Baker, what should have been a run to the line. Nonetheless Leos were creating an abundance of chances through great support play.

Matt Freear,was substituted shortly afterwards, to give a further opportunity to James Lund, and Kris Stafford replaced Fforde,with promising prop Dowling, coming on for Litherland.

Dowling made an early impact, driving into the opposition forwards, before perfectly setting up the ball for, the back row of Burdon and Lane to continue the drive, before Dave Barden showed unbelievable acceleration over 30 metres, charging through the gears from 2 to 5th gear like an Olympic sprinter with even lenny lane struggling to keep up with him!! Sending out a well weighted pass to the supporting Knibbs, who went in for his second try. Winter added the conversion, to give a score line of 35 - 3 after 66mins.

Goole however never gave up but were clearly second best across the park but tried to make ground into Leo’s territory, with hooker McIntosh and Nick Freear putting in important tackles, but they looked less dangerous, when they tried to handle the ball, with the well structured Leos midfield, regularly driving them back in the tackle.

James Lund had a dangerous run down the wing, easily evading two defenders, before amazingly finding prop Ed Connell in support! but a cover tackle held Leos short, whilst both Stafford and Lane were also held up just short. Goole cleared their lines, with a high kick, but Liu made fully 30m,before taking the ball around his ankles, support from Barden and Dowling, allowed Wood to release quick ball and Winter picked off the retreating defence to storm in from 50m for his second try and a final score line of 42 - 3.

Mark Winter on his day with the pack going forward and ball in hand is one of the most creative and a talented back in Yorkshire division 2 and his performance today was inspirational.For those old enough to remember and there won't be many he has those same attacking qualities of Leos icon Ian Nicholson who played at 10 some(many) years ago!!

Leos achieved comprehensive home victory in what was one of the best performances this season at crag lane against a spirited but outplayed Goole side.

There were clearly a number of very strong performances to be considered for the man of the match award notably Dave Barden, Lenny Lane, James Knibbs, Mark McDaid and also Mark Winter, who made a last ditch effort to blatantly bribe the man of the match assessor!!!!!but after careful consideration the man of the match award this week was awarded to Neil Lui, who had an outstanding game, in both attack and defence.

Donning their pixie fancy dress outfits, captain Burdon led his merry men on their Christmas session, no doubt to the drinking dens of Headingley and the city, prior to the final game of the year, away to Hessle next week.

A Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year, to all Leo’s players, members and supporters.

Leos team:
Lui,Baker, McDaid,Knibbs,Winter,Matt Freear,Wood,Connell,McIntosh,Litherland,Fforde,Nick Freear,Burdon,Barden,Lane,Dowling,Stafford,Lund

Scorers
Tries:Lui, Baker, Knibbsx2 Winterx2
Converstions:Matt Freear x4 Winter x 2