Howler’s Howler Hands Victory to Leo’s

A sizeable but hung-over LUOB squad assembled at The Crag featuring a half dozen or so current or recent Leo’s. The home side’s squad was equally numerous but a little fresher. It featured a growing band (1 Direction apparently) of students and also two Aussie virgins (to rugby). Stand in skipper Scotty herded the cats and allocated positional buddies for regular rotation and the game began at a furious pace.
The visitors were enthusiastic but Leo’s no less so and the first massive hit by Will Levitt on Beast set the scene for the ensuing 80 minutes. The visitors were into their stride quicker and it took some good defence to keep them out. The breakdown was combative but Leo’s were on the back foot and too much early ball was turned over. Slowly but surely Leo’s rallied and the backs, fuelled by Harry the Voice were getting some ball and making yards. Up front Stand in Skipper Scotty was also standing in at Prop, giving am armchair ride to Jack and seeing off three oppo props before the fourth mangled him early in the second half!! On the other side The Brooklyn Grunter was entertaining the packs. Lineouts were scrappy but the game ebbed and flowed at pace before the visitors scored out wide following some excellent running lines and support. With the adventurous Bindloss at fulcrum the LUOB backs had another bold attack and a second try was scored, also out wide for a 10 point lead. Leo’s threw themselves back into the fray and the pack, with Winters, Neil and Satch to the fore made yards and secure possession for the backs to work some magic with Will L setting up Tim M for a reply. This was swiftly followed by a second Tim M try after some scrambling offense from Leo’s, hung-over fumbling from LUOB and a dribble, stumble and flop for the Leo’s magician.
At half time it was all to play for and the home side refreshed their line up with both youth and experience swapping all over the park. Back row debutant Chris, or possibly centre debutant Chris scored early in the second half as Leo’s edged into an eight point lead thanks to Harry’s extras. Still the visitors ran hard in reply and their back line showed slick hands and unnerving pace to score a quick reply and reduce the Leo’s lead to just two points. With their spirits up (possibly helped by half time Port intake) the LUOB upped the pace and pressure and piled into the Leo’s defence. With Refjoy keeping things from boiling over with a light touch on the whistle the game proceeded furiously but sportingly. Desperate tackling from all and sundry wasn’t enough and the strong running visitors scored once more to take a three point lead with the clock running down ominously for Leo’s.
There was just time however for Leo’s to take the ball back into LUOB territory for one final assault in the hope of securing an unlikely victory. Repelled by LUOB’s strong defence all seemed lost until the Welsh wizardry of Richie Howells took over. Running the ball out of defence for the imminently victorious visitors ex Leo Richie sent a delightful interception pass into the hands of Tim Martin who sprinted away for the victory try. There was just time for Leo’s to receive and Big D to boot the ball out to bring the game to an exhausted conclusion.
Tributes continued after the game with the Phil Preece Memorial Yard making an appearance, for Richie of course, as the beer continued to flow unabated.