Huddersfield YMCA 13 Leos 15

Team spirit in the Leos camp was high as we arrived at Huddersfield ymca ground on saturday.Coach Matt Greenwood had been pleased with the turnout at training in both sessions during the week and Leos were looking to inflict a league double over our rivals having won a closely fought encounter at crag lane earlier in the season by 23-22.

Leos made a number of changes following last week's narrow defeat at West Park. In the front row John Warwick returned for Ed Connell, Tim Fforde was once more on babysitting duty and was replaced by James Debenham and in the back row injuries to Lenny Lane and James Haslam meant that the back three were Will Levitt, Burdy and the returning Gareth Chesters.The back line was the same as last week which meant that Dave Barden continued in the centre.

The facilities at Huddersfield are very good with a wide flat pitch, Big stand and a pleasant clubhouse and there was a large band of home supporters that greeted the teams mainly assembled in the large stand. The pitch was very heavy as it had been raining heavily for the previous few hours which meant it would be difficult to play expansive rugby for both sides on what was a filthy wet day.

The early exchanges were fairly even with Leos having the early nudge in the scrum with Dave Robinson and Martin McIntosh showing up well. However it was Ymca who took the lead in the 8 minute when a forward drive into the Leos 22 gave fullback Smith the chance to convert a penalty from the 22 metres line after the ref judged Leos offside and he duly converted the points. Hudd 3 Leos 0

Leos came storming back at the hosts straight from the kick off, when Nick Freear rose to gather the ball and with the support of Gareth Chester's and Will Levitt made good yardage for the ref to give Leos a penalty for the home side "pulling down". Matt Freear from 30 metres kicked the penalty to tie the scores.Hudderfield 3 Leos 3.

The home side were used to playing the pitch and fly half swift was cleverly kicking to the corners but Leos were responding well and despite the wet conditions were counteracting productively.Bindloss was secure under the high ball and made 2 incisive breaks into the line where Stu Baker once more showed his strength on the wing by punching through the home defence.

Leos were starting to gain more control of the ball and the line out s were going well with James Debenham and Nick Freear winning our own ball This allowed fly half Matt Freear to use the ball well and centre mark winter looked threatening with ball in hand.

On 28 minutes Leos dropped the ball on the Huddersfield 10 metres line which was gathered by home wing beevers and it looked like he was going to score a certain try with an open try line in front of him.Neil Liu had other ideas and scorched across the field with tremendous speed to make a great try saving tackle and push Beever into touch. The immediate threat had gone with Leos winning the resulting lineout and Matt freear kicking the ball backed deep.

Leos were now holding the ascendancy and on 32 minutes scored a superb try in the corner. The ball was won ,passed to Matt Freear onto Mark Winter, Dave Barden drew his man and passed the ball to wing Neil Liu who gathered the ball 30 metres out and once more his electrifying pace beat the desperate cover to score in the corner.Hudderfield 3 Leos 8

The remaining 8 minutes were plated in the ymca half but the home defence stood firm and the half time whistle went.Hudderfield ymca 3 Leos 8

Coach Matt Greenwood was vociferous in his team talk asking for the team to keep up the same intensity and making sure we kept our discipline.

Huddersfield kicked off the second half and were clearly up for the challenge.Ymca were starting to win a lot more ball with Sanderson, Hallowell and sharrock driving on the home pack and they had a dangerous centre in Horner who was making good yardage

On 50 minutes the home sides pressure counted when form a rolling maul they made good ground and they rumbled over the Leos line with the try being credited to second row Lockwood. From wide out Smith kicked a good conversion to give the home side the lead and the large home band of supporters were in vociferous mood. Huddersfield 10 Leos 8

skipper burdy rallied the troops and asked for more, but the tide was turning as ymca were having the territory in stark contrast to the first 40 minutes.

On 55 minutes ymca extended their lead when Leos were judged offside in front t of our posts 30 metres out and once more full back smith kicked the penaltyHudderfield 13 Leos 8

On 60 minutes coach greenwood substituted Stuart baker for James Lund, Jon Richards came on in to the back row for Will Levitt and the instruction was to up the intensity.

Leos were now trying to play the ball out wide with Matt freear showing good ball skills and winter made 2 dazzling runs in the centre but the home defence was secure. The rain was making the playing surface difficult and swift was now kicking the ball deep to the left corner.

Dave Robinson was replaced on 75 minutes by Simon Dowling and burdy gathered his troops to ask for a big last 5 minutes.

The home supporters and coach were looking confident but Leos needed a converted try and the game was still there for the taking.

With one minute left on the clock Leos had a throw in on their own line. Nick Freear won the ball, chilly wood fed Matt freear,Tom Bind loss entered the line to create an overlap and he fed wing Neil Liu who once more showed electrifying pace by beating 3 defenders and racing up to the half way line, he then fed the ball to mark winter who put his head back and raced 40 metres to score a brilliant try out wide to the raptures of the Leos supporters.

Time was up and Matt Freear had the chance to add the conversion from out wide on the 22 metres line to give Leos victory. There was a silent hush as he prepared himself, kicked the ball and it sailed between the posts. Huddersfield 13 Leos 15.

The home side were devastated and the Leos side and supporters were in raptures.

Leos gained the 2 league points through keeping going for the 80 minutes backed by a tremendous team spirit of wanting and knowing they could win the game.

The game was played in very good spirit Leos kept there discipline and Nick Freear stayed on the field for the entire game!!!!

The Leos man of the match award by a unanimous decision went to wing Neil Liu.He played his best game in a Leos jersey and one home supporter compared him to welsh wing Shane Williams!!!

Neil scored a fantastic individual try, made a certain try saving tackle on the home winger where he literally appeared from nowhere to cut off the home winger who looked to be already celebrating his try and in the final move of the game he made the all telling 40 metres run to feed mark winter for the winning try.

At the end of the season there is to be an awards presentation ceremony given by president Jim Collard and there are 3 prizes:

First prize-gold medal for Leos supporters club player of the year
2nd Prize-Silver medal runner up player
3rd prize- bronze medal to third placed player.

We are entering the final run in to the season and the leading players are as follows:
Tim Fforde 4: James Knibbs 3: Lenny Lane 3: Mark Winter 2: Neil Liu 2:

Next Saturday Leos entertain Barnsley at crag lane. Before the game 12.30-1.00pm there is a luncheon for outgoing president Jim collard in recognition of his immense contribution to Leos and English rugby. Jim has been president of the club since taking over from Bryan Bennett in 1983 some 27years ago!!!Please make sure that all Leos are there to applaud Jims immense contribution.

Scorers
Leos: Tries Neil Liu,Mark Winter,Converstion Matt Freear Penalty Matt Freear
Huddersfield ymca Try Lockwodd,Converstion Smith Penalties Smith x2

Teams:
Leos:
Tom Bindloss,Stuart Baker, Dave Barden, Mark Winter, Neil Liu,Matt Freear,Chilly Wood, John Warwick, Martin McIntosh, Dave Robinson, Nick Freear,James Debenham,Wil Levitt, Gareth Chesters,Nick Burdon, Simon Dowling, James Lund,Jono Richards

Huddersfield YMCA
Smith,Beever,Horner,Stead,Ryder,Seift,Wilson,Sanderson,SteveDyke,Stus Dyke,Hellewell,Lockwood,Van Niekerk,Sharrock,Walker,Mazza,Lyon,Sellars