Moortown 7 v Leos 29

Report by Peter Cooke

Leos crossed King Lane, for their annual visit to local rivals Moortown,on a truly stormy, bleak, day.Moortown have enjoyed an improved season, having already secured victories over both Yarnbury and Bradford Salem, whilst Leos are undefeated at home but were looking for their first away success of the season.

Leos beefed up their pack for the forward challenge with the return of James Farad, Tim Fforde and Lenny Lane, whilst in the backs there were starts for Rob Whatmuff, Vinnie O'Brien and Tom Bindloss.Moortown had a number of new faces from previous seasons.

Moortown started the better, enjoying field position and retaining the ball well in the difficult conditions and were rewarded with an early shot at goal, which went wide. Leos responded with towering kicks to both corners from James Henry but Moortown defended the resultant lineouts and indeed,had the early advantage at the set piece.

Leos have demonstrated more patience this season and took the lead on 15mins,with a Ed Farmer penalty into the wind,after the home side were caught offside.Although enjoying an even share of possession,Moortown were being continually driven back in the tackle and when more strong midfield defence from Rob Whatmuff, Danny Thompson and Tim Fforde dislodged the ball,Lenny Lane snapped up the loose ball and streaked 50m before being well tackled.However,the resurgent Richie Howells was on hand to score the first try.Ed Farmer then added a sensational touch line conversion to put Leos 10 points up on 23mins.

Jordache Myerscough was then denied a try,after a powerful run from the dynamic Gareth Chesters,playing against his former club,with the well positioned referee apparently oblivious to the laws of physics!!.Moortown finished the half well,without ever really threatening the Leos line but it still required solid defence from Stu Baker and James Farad amongst others to keep the Leos line intact.

Coach Dan Hyde was more than content with a 10 point margin at half time,particularly with the benefit of the elements in the second half.

The lead was extended early in the second half,when Rob Whatmuff capitalised on loose ball and kicked through.Although denied a try as the home side again killed the ball,the fitter,stronger Leos forwards were there in numbers and the experienced Ed Connell tunnelled over from at least half a meter. Ed Farmer put Leos 17 points clear and Jonny Moore and James Akman replaced Rob Whatmuff and Lenny Lane respectively.

Moortowns strong scrum gained them field position but another penalty attempt went wide.Leos secured the game on 61mins,when a spiralling James Henry kick put Leos into the corner. Richard Bean set up Gareth Chesters,a textbook drive from the well drilled forwards,with Chris Lewis emerging with the ball and another conversion from the reliable Ed Farmer.

Jonny Moore and Ed Farmer combined to put Danny Thompson clear but the greasy ball went to ground,before Jordache Myerscough secured clean lineout ball and Ed Connell took his game yardage up to a metre with his second try and the important bonus bonus point.Moortown gained just rewards for their efforts,when they reacted quicker to a goal line scrum,with the scrum half touching down,to give a scoreline of 7 - 29.

The game ended with a sensational solo run from James Henry,who was only denied by a brave last ditched tackle from the full back who injured himself in the attempt.However,with half the local NHS' resources already in attendance,the player was well looked after and the referee sensibly blew up marginally early.

A complete,professional,efficient performance from Leos,in truly atrocious conditions,where both sides and the referee need to be congratulated on producing anything resembling a game of rugby.Defeats for Hullensians and Bradford Salem,move Leos up to third in the league.

Next week,Leos are home to the improving Rishworthians,who have a significant Pacific Islands contingent and a couple of retired rugby league players,including Damien Ball who played a few games for Leos 10yrs ago.