So many Clichés so little time for one match report!

Leo’s 2nds travelled to Knottingley strengthening the rumour that the club had no front row for a 2nd week running with Ross the only recognised practitioner in the 13 who met at the Crag. Fortunately Cranfield resourceful as ever presented himself and then put a shift in at Loose head, and Tom Stubley meaning we travelled with 15 and the opportunity to be competitive.

Knottingley having found out about our lack of front row, celebrated the league points (I’ll leave that for people in the know to discuss) but were still keen to play a competitive game. Leos put a large emphasis in the pre-match huddle not to dwell on the pre-match disorganisation or lack of league points and that there was still a game to be won etc.
However despite the initial 5 minutes there seemed a lack of edge or enthusiasm as Knottingley used the wind to move the back 3 around and capitalise on the many mistakes Leo’s were making. With the bounce of the ball going their way Knottingley run up a 22-0 lead, with the kicking to goal proving worse than their kicking from hand. Leo’s managed to maintain this margin till the half time whistle with a few heads down and a general lack of energy this could be a long afternoon!

In the half time huddle, there wasn’t much panting or heavy breathing due to the fairly low level of energy displayed by anyone in a yellow shirt in the first half. It was decided other than the odd shot going in there wasn’t much to be worried about Knottingley’s defence and if we cut out the 50/50 miracle balls and held onto the ball we could still win. So we took the restart carried hard then produced a blind pass back to the opposition, good to see we were listening!
However with Chris, Joel, Ross and James Walton carrying hard and Birdie linking play from the hooking position Leo’s were starting to implement the game plan they had tried too for the first 50 minutes, and with Chilli mixing physicality and intelligence (that’s a fiver you owe me Chilli!) at 13 Leo’s were breaking tackles and making plenty of meters, only to knock on at the wrong moment allowing to Knottingley to clear. With the wind dying down the back 3 had a much easier time dealing with the kicks and with Stubley and Dean carrying hard Knottingley were camped in their half and not getting a sniff of possession.

From one counter attack set up by Chilli, Tweds freed Dean down his flank which set up great field position for Lynch to sneak round the fringes and touch down in the corner, thanks mostly to the excellent position taken up by the Knottingley touch judge. Unfortunatley the difficult conversion was missed. Leo’s continued to dominate possession with hard carries through the forwards and intelligent running from Joe, Dean and Stubbsy putting Knottingley under pressure and with Nick ‘The Power’ Burden finding his jumpers Leo’s set up field position for Chris to power over for 2 tries, both of which were converted by Tweds. The second of which was greeted by acclaim by the Knottingley supporters ‘oh he’s kicked it I can’t believe it, but well done young man’!

Leo’s were in the ascendency and back within 3 points however time wasn’t on our side, however the forwards now had there tails up and Knottingley were more interested in fighting amongst themselves and with 3 minutes remaining and on about phase 20, Joe powered through and stretched over dotting the ball right on the line to give Leo’s a 2 point lead. The remaining 2 minutes were dominated by Ross and Joel organising ‘Leicester Ball’ after ‘Leicester Ball’ showing great control and forward power to run down the clock and secure a narrow but hard fought win!

So to all those clichés, a game of two halves, talk about daylight robbery, can’t believe they threw that one away, but I’ll leave you with Knottingleys barmaids post match summary ‘bit of a turnaround out there wasn’t it’ enough said!

Leos Scorers;
Tries – Jimmy Lynch, Chris Bullough x 2, Joe Derry
Conversions – Tweds x 2

Knottingley
4 tries and 1 Conversion

Leo’s – 15) Stubley, 14) Chapman, 13) Chilli, 12) Derry, 11) Holbrook, 10) Tweds, 9) Lynch, 1) Cranfield, 2) Birdie, 3) Litherland, 4) Nathan, 5) Walton, 6) Smith, 7) Adam, 8) Chris Bullough,