Leos 2s and 3s combine to challenge Heath 2s on a blustery day.

When we arrived and stepped onto the big pitch there were one or two noticeable flutters of “are we going to be up to this challenge?“ These were quickly dispersed by a familiar voice. That voice belonged to a very fired up Cadgey who was most definitely ready for what lay ahead. It is always slightly difficult to combine 2 teams but today we did that pretty well.

We welcomed 3 young lads making their debut, James, Harry and another on the wing name whose name I cannot remember (forgive me young man - old age you know!) The game got underway and from the off it was obvious that it was going to be decided by small margins. Leos began brightly with effective forward drives making inroads into an organised Heath defence. Charlie Chesters showed what a no.8 should do, at every opportunity make the hard yards. He was ably supported by Cranfield both in attack and defence. Captain Capel also had a fine game bravely taking on bigger forwards and regularly getting over the gain line. The ball won was a little scrappy due to good harrying by the Heath no 9 who was gobbily effective all day. He made Metrosexual Man Jake Kappers life difficult at 9 and spoiled possession whenever he could.

With defences being on top we were 20 mins into the 1st half when Heath took the initiative. A bouncing ball was gathered by their wily 10 who got away with an almost imperceptible knock on and sped away from the hapless home players to score. Try converted. In truth he showed good gas and should have been tackled by your scribe before he got into his running. We lost Jo Derry to a nasty looking cut on his head and trust he is ok after being stitched up at hospital.

James Martin started the game at 15, but after his first run where he shredded the Heath defence he was quickly moved up to 12 in an attempt to get the ball into his hands as often as possible. He is a gifted player with a howitzwer left boot who had a strong debut for Leos. Leos continued to try hard but we could not make significant inroads behind the scrum often enough. Heath also won a lot of ball which their 10 used effectively. He kicked well all day nearly always choosing the right option.

It was at this point that your scribe now at 15 and seeing Wellsy on the sidelines realised that there were faster, younger players than him who would have more of an impact on a tight game. So Wellsy came on and immediately slotted in. Harry came on at 9 and played well on debut. The almost ageless Jon Eagle arrived to exert his influence on the proceedings, defying the laws of physics by scampering past defenders half his age with alacrity. However Heath were ever so slightly more canny at the breakdown managing to be on the wrong side just long enough to win turnover ball without being penalised. Fair play to them as Leos were trying to do exactly the same! They being a 2nd team were well drilled and benefitted from cohesion. That said Leos were right in the contest and just needed a little more composure in the final third of the field.

Leos got back in the contest when they took the direct approach. Pick and drive from the forwards took them deep into the Heath half. Charlie took responsibility and made good ground showing just how horrible it is to try and stop him. When he finally got slowed by 3 defenders he offloaded to Eagle in support, and 1 more pass saw Tweddle J dive over to score. Small margins were key and a lack of kicking tee saw Jamie connect badly with the conversion attempt, it very nearly went over but in the end fell wide.

Jim Gribben again came to the fore this time with a box kick that had Charlie off and chasing. The front row union on both sides however were less than impressed. Cadgey and his opposite man were quite simply disgusted! To be fair it was not a bad kick!

Heath continued to play solid rugby. Patiently moving up field either by pick and go or long raking kicks. This led to them being camped in the Leos 22 for several minutes. Eventually they shipped the ball to their sizeable 12 who barged over from close range to score. This was a deserved try as they were just starting to control the game. Conversion missed after hitting the post.

Halftime arrived and the words were simple, Leos were very much in the contest but needed to be more precise and play to the game plan. Kick deep into the corners and apply pressure from there. Make Heath play from deep and compete like fury at the breakdown. Also do not rush, be patient and the scores would come.

The second half was a battle royal in the best possible way. 2 teams fully committed to trying to win but with absolutely no foul play whatsoever from either team. Leos did get back to within 2 points with a superb passage of play. Good hands from Tweddle released Dan Norberry who made ground up the middle. The ball was recycled a couple of times to end up as a ruck on the heath 22. From the back of that ruck Charlie exploded and simply powered past any would be tacklers to score in the corner. With a kicking tee Jamie very nearly nailed a wonderful kick, another weetabix in his breakfast bowl and it would have made it!! 12 -10 and anybody's game. By now heath knew they were in a real contest but crucially did not panic. Receiving loud support from the far touchline they carried on believing in their tactics and stuck stubbornly to their game plan.

The defining moment came as Leos were again deep in heath territory. Drive after drive was just stopped short with Poll, Chesters, Cadgey and Capel all showing huge desire to get over the line. Finally the ball was fired out the backs and unfortunately dropped going forward for a knock on. By now your scribe was watching from the sidelines and somehow I knew the game was up, no idea how. From the scrum Heath relieved the pressure with another long clearance from their excellent 10. As the game entered its final 10 mins Heath were again on the front foot. They piled into to every tackle and their wingers also began to make serious headway only being denied by last ditch tackling out wide. Eventually the pressure told as Heath sliced through to score near the posts. Try converted 19 -10. Leos gamely fought back but with 2 mins to go and 2 scores now needed it was never going to happen.
The game ended in handshakes all round and then things got really interesting!

As Leos trooped into their dressing room a white glove was found on top on an empty box of beer. Fortunately there was another full one.
Methinks I see the dark Lords hand at its mischievous work, with a little help from a set of skeleton keys. Someone in the 4s forgot the beer and so we “lent“ them half of ours.

Leos can be proud of their efforts today a team largely made up of 3rd teamers with some noticeable 2nd team talent took on a very good side and only just lost a very tight game. Well done boys because I think Heath knew that they had been in a contest.

Lovejoy.

Tries - Tweddle, Chester