2nd Team Match Report by John Leatham

Score: Leos 31 West Leeds 22

For the first time this season Leos fielded 4 teams and the response to the passionate call to arms across the club led to the most unlikely luxury of a plethora of substitutes available in the bloated 20 + man 2nd team squad.

West Leeds similarly had a mob handed bench although a lack of front row players led to uncontested scrums early on. Whether buoyed by the extra energy saved from the scrums, or the unusually temperate October weather, both teams engaged in a fast paced contest of running rugby with the balance of power swinging throughout.

West Leeds scored first with a mazy run from broken play providing the platform for a try in the corner before Leos responded through a good forward drive which allowed Chesters to touch down. A penalty on the stroke of half time for West Leeds gave them a slender advantage.

Whilst both sides looked resolute in defence the frenetic pace of the game was likely to tell at some stage. Leos started the second half on the backfoot but gradually won the arm wrestle as the penalty count against the opposition started to mount. 2 quickfire tries including a well worked score for Joe Derry after exchanging passes with Chris provided Leos with the comfort of a nine point advantage which was swiftly reduced to 2 points for the last 10 minutes to leave the nerves jangling.

Leos however kept their focus and sealed the victory late on with another try for Chesters following a five metre scrum.

All in all a very satisfying victory against a dangerous West Leeds outfit to take into this weeks game at Selby which is likely to present another stern test.