Leos 29 v Roundhegians 17

Report by Peter Cooke

Leos entertained near neighbours Roundhegians,in a Yorks 2 fixture on saturday.Both sides were missing numerous players, as members of each club were present at a stag weekend, whilst others were unavailable.

Leos were therefore grateful to welcome back Andy Walker from Dubai, whilst James Lund returned from injury, for the tenth time in the last two yrs.Leos were seeking a double, after a 38 - 12 success earlier in the year. Conditions were dreadful, with all four seasons witnessed over the bitterly cold afternoon.

Leos opened well, playing with the strong breeze and taking an early strike against the head. Dan Hyde burst down the blindside and although tackled short, after a quick tap penalty James Lund squeezed into the left hand corner for a try.

Leos dominated early possession and quick hands from Richard Bean and Tim Sleight, released Vinnie O'Brien down the right flank. More quick ball and inter passing involving Ed Connell and Andy Walker, allowed skipper Chris Lewis to cross for the second try on just 7 mins.

The game was very open and Leos seized on a weak clearance kick. Tom Bindloss released Tim Sleight, who evaded the first man, before sending a lovely timed pass to James Lund, who beat a further two defenders, to score a good wingers try.

A third difficult conversion was missed, so Leos led 15 - 0 after 17mins.Roundhegians responded via their robust forwards and earned a penalty from a high kick, with a Leos player adjudged offside - 15 - 3 0n 21mins.

Leos has a clear edge in speed but it seemed that neither side could rely on winning their own set piece ball.However,James Henry was using the wind to good advantage and put a sensational kick into the right hand corner. James Farad worked an effect lineout move and after drives from James Akman and Ed Connell, Richie Howells found space to go over for the third Leos try. This time James Henry added the conversion, for a scoreline of 22 - 3

The visitors then secured their first good field position and a strong forward drive took them to the Leos line. Desperate tackles were made by Will Levitt and Andy Walker but eventually the visitors scrum half dummied his way over for Hegians first try, which was successfully converted - 22 - 10.

With half time approaching.Importantly,Leos won turnover ball through James Akman, Richard Bean and James Henry spread the ball wide to James Lund, who beat at least three defenders on a 50m run to finish in classical style, secure his own hat trick and the try bonus point. A good conversion took Leos into half time at 29 - 10.

Hegians now had the benefit of the strong breeze and although Leos started the half well, it was to be the visitors who dominated field position. Their fly half kicked to corners finding good ground, whilst Bindloss had to be awake to stop a dangerous chip through. As the rain became heavier, handling became difficult but impressive line speed from Tim Sleight and Mark McDaid,reduced the visitors options, with strong tackling from Si Dowling and James Farad.

Eventually a fine break by Mark McDaid released some pressure but with Will Levitt sin binned,Roundhegians finally found a hole in the Leos defences, for a clean break by one of their threequarters.The conversion made for a tense final ten minutes but Leos finished strongly, with the front row of Ed Connell James Farad and Chris Lewis to the fore.

An enjoyable game, played in difficult conditions, even if there was a slight end of season feeling to it. The Humberside referee, Phil Ashton did well to allow the game to flow as much as reasonably possible. The man of the match must go to Lund, not for his hat trick of tries but for actually completing 80mins of rugby.

The win moves Leos up to fifth in the table, after the defeat for West Park, whilst the defeat of Sheffield Medics makes Hullensians and Yarnbury firm favourites for promotion. Next week, Leos travel to Sheffield to face the Medics and enquire whether they would care to take on Newcastle and Leeds Medics in the Leos 7's.