West Leeds 22 v Leos 11

Report by Peter Cooke

After a competitive, high quality and absorbing game against Sheffield Medics last week, Leos took a much changed team, the three miles to face West Leeds on saturday.Nick Porter and Nick Freear made their seasonal debuts, Ben Robson, Nick Burdon and Tom Tweedle all came into the team, there were numerous other positional changes, whilst Tim Sleight returned from his jaunt to Australia to visit Neil Lui.

Despite the changes, Leos opened promisingly, with Jordache Myerscough heavily involved early on. When Mark Winter made a midfield break, the tackler failed to release but Ed Farmer penalty attempt went wide.However,he made amends on 9 mins,when West Leeds were off side, to put Leos three points up.

Ed Farmer and Vinnie O'Brien were winning the kicking contest, James Knibbs and Mark Winter were a constant threat in midfield, Porter put Tim Sleight away down the left wing and another barn storming run from James Knibbs was again killed but the subsequent penalty attempt fell short. As always West Leeds were dangerous with ball in hand and Robson and Nick Burdon combined to stop a threatening move.

Leos had enjoyed all the early play but were only three points clear, when the home side broke in midfield, leading to a try in the left corner, which was well converted from the touchline on 30mins.The lead was extended a few minutes later, when Leos slowed down play but the half finished with powerful drives from Ed Connell and Chris Lewis, Tom Tweedle made a break, more frustration lead to another penalty, which Ed Farmer converted, to give a half time score of 10 - 6.

A disjointed first half, with little structure to it, the Leos scrum was well on top but there was little precision at the lineout and both sides won only slow ball at the breakdown.

Mark Whatmuff came on for Vinnie O'Brien and Leos opened the second half with a little more intensity, with Jordache Myerscough winning quicker lineout ball and direct running from Nick Freear and James Farad. Mark Whatmuff immediately found holes in the home sides defence and when Dan Hyde won faster ball, a long miss out pass from Ed Farmer put James Knibbs on the outside and Ryan Hall would have been pleased with the finish, to edge Leos 11 - 10 up on 47mins.

West Leeds however, after an inconsistent season, appeared to be growing in confidence and started to dominate field position. After a succession of penalties, their scrum half took a quick tap from short range and managed to burrow his way over the line, to put the home side 15 - 11 up on 61mins and the experienced Martin McIntosh replaced the hard working Ben Robson.

The game was settled a few minutes later, when West Leeds, apparently playing with greater determination and hunger, worked the ball to their right and their winger squeezed in at the corner, with another fine conversion giving a score of 22 - 11.Leos finished strongly, with good leadership from Chris Lewis but couldn't find the try which would have earned them a losing bonus point.

Frankly, a somewhat disappointing and low key game, which West Leeds deserved to win, despite fine individual performances from Jordache Myerscough,who led the forwards by example and acclaimed man of the match. James Knibbs,who was a constant danger in midfield.However,there was a lack of physicality, too many missed one on one tackles and importantly, one cannot make so many changes and expect to win games in Yorks 2.Next week is the final home game of 2013,when Yarnbury are the visitors, who lie one place and two points above Leos in the table.