West Park Match Report

Match Report by Pete Chapman (Lovejoy)

A Few Tasty Starters are Served Up, before and after The Main Event Away at West Park Bramhope, By The Old Leodiensians 2 nd Team Squad.

On a fresh late September afternoon we arrived in good time to warm up to contest a most entertaining and very hotly fought game.
West Park Bramhope are a well - coached, organised and quite skilful set of players.

Leos began the game well, a true battle for possession up front amongst all 16 Piano Shifters meant quick ball was elusive. Some strong drives from JD, Billy, Dave H, Tricky and the boys did provide ball for our quick 9 to distribute.

However the home team scored first with a well delivered flowing backs move from the half way line. Youth, Pace and accurate passing , but simple hands really.

Plus a few missed tackles.

Try Converted 7/0.

Leos responded well, fought their way back in to the melee, and scored from a 5/7 metre drive from the Pack.
The evergreen Farmer Jim burst over the line to claim the spoils.

Try not Converted.

With more even competition for another 10 minutes the halftime whistle was sounded by Jonny Parker, our Referee for the day.
Captain Billy asked for more efforts in defence, we were outflanked occasionally, but really if we got some territory and quick ball in the second stanza, it was any ones game to win. Your Humble Scribe delivered a brief but passionate , loud heartfelt call to arms.
It is about Raw Brutal Desire Boys. Pride in the Shirt and Old Leodiensians RUFC, yourselves and each other, so let’s have it !! Hit harder in defence and keep enjoying yourselves and we can win this game.

A few subs were made and we kicked off once more onto the pristine surface.
The lead changed hands several times as the Home Team used their pace and strength to score a few good tries in their backs.
Senior Spinal Surgeon Nigel kindly volunteered to play up front for West Park Bramhope. As they lost a forward. He had driven hard in The Row for Leos, thank you Nigel.

Plenty of handshakes were exchanged after a few flare ups. The Park 15 was strong and a bit tasty !
A few opportunities were not taken by Leos as options were explored. Leos needed to play a bit more territory , and a couple of kicks were not quite on the money.

One blatant off the ball body check by the home team on a leos chasing back was missed by our hard working Ref, but these things happen.
Then like an extremely determined Hobbit of The Shire, Farmer Jim simply picked up from a ruck on the home teams 22 yard line and fairly blazed through some confused disorganised home defence, a barrel role when not held, a hand off and sheer determination, and no little speed saw Jim Capel touch down for a brilliantly taken try. The result of a great deal of hard work from the Leos forwards and strong running by Stewie at 10, plus our outside backs.

Will and Pure Desire in it’s Finest Embodiment. Great work Jim Capel
Try Converted.

New Recruit Matt originally from The Cumbrian Hills, at 15 was cutting great lines from 15. At 24 Matt will Fly at Leos in our 1s or 2s. A top effort fella.

Our Strong 12 was also boshing his way over the gainline, using neat footwork and skill to do the hard yards. They always need making in the 12 Channel.

Florian, a new Dad, many Congratulations Flo, at 13 played well too. On the wings our pace was evident if we could get quick ball out to the very rapid Archie, who ate up the turf with Genuine Gas. He gained lots of wide yards from his adept running, great sidestep has young Archie. A real Prospect. Well Done.

In the lineout the redoubtable JD won useful ball as he leapt and was correctly lifted by the big lads. Our Hooker was having a truly Storming game, great carries, straight precision Lineout throwing and plenty of tough tackling too.
Leos 12 got a knee injury and was replaced by Lovejoy with 25/30 minutes to go.

The centres first outing for a full 2 years after a few serious injuries had been recovered from. He got smashed early, being sent back 5/7 yards but it proved the 47 year old Solid Individual was at least fit to take Heavy Duty Traffic.

Stewie dummied his way through a tiring defence from 20 yards out to score a great try which he converted. He played very well all day.
Leos had concerted pressure very close to the West Park line. Time after time Matt drove and was tackled, as did Dave H, JD, in fact every forward hit really hard as we sought a try in the final few minutes.

Unsurprisingly on his 40 the Birthday Weekend it was Stewie Norton at 10 who took the ball from 15 yards out. I was close in support so saw his footwork, strength and desire take him sidestepping over the line. With a final reach he dotted down for a wonderfully taken try.
Try Converted.

The game ended with the Home Team winning 33/24.
In conclusion, this was a real battle. Leos never stopped trying to win quick ball and create try scoring chances. West Park Bramhope deservedly won the game.

We retired to sample Farmer Jim’s home made Sloe Gin, Cockburns Port and a cheese board provided by Captain Billly Marsh.
Ice Cold Beer too.
Man of the Match was by agreed to be our Hooker who was superb all day.

We then had a War and Piece like OPUS about New FatherHood from Farmer Jim.
A lovely Poem if a tad longer than Your Humble Scribe had anticipated !

Next week we will train hard and if we keep playing as we did on this Saturday we will enjoy many a handsome victory.

Lovejoy, aka Your Humble Scribe.