Tough opener

After a leisurely club meet and an even more leisurely warm up, Leos 3s got the new season underway against a young and fit West Park 3rd XV. The opposition had stated intent from the off with both a coach and a 1hr + warm up while the Leos faithful were still at the clubhouse talking off the previous nights hangovers.

The Leos team featured many old heads, a few slightly less old heads and a few new recruits. The first 10 minutes of the game were fairly even with sturdy defense, solid carries and both sides feeling their way through the new scrum laws. The front row of Cappell, Williams and Haworth faired well against their heavier but less experienced opponents while Scotty and Rob stuck their heads where few men dare and pushed. There was even the welcome return of scrums won against the head much to the delight of all involved! As the game opened up so too did the theme of the game become apparent. Leos backs and back row were playing their usual open game and, with a team lacking in match fitness, were getting turned over in contact by a very fit and mobile West Park pack. Turnover ball was leading to excellent attacking ball for West Park and they deservedly took the lead after spotting mismatches or 2 on 1 situations on the counter attack.

After conceding the early points, Leos battled from the restarts to win the ball back. Much effort was spent working up the field only again to concede a turnover with lazy support play and see another ruthless length of the field try. Half time rang with no points on the board for the home side despite good territory and possession.

Strong words from Cadgey senior, possibly showing off to his debutant son and work colleagues but also possibly genuinely enraged, raised spirits at the half time break and Leos went at the second half with renewed vigour and purpose. Sadly, despite fresh legs and hard won scores from new boy James Horsman and Southport hero Kenroy, the story was much the same for the second.

While we all want to start the season with a win, I think this loss will do us the world of good in terms of lessons learned. We were the stronger side physically while they were the fitter, the more clinical but also the better team. It is very rare that any side puts on the number of points on us that West Park did. For all their youth and fitness, it was their organisation and our lack thereof that made the score differential so wide despite our majority of possession. The social side is brilliant in the 3rds, as proven by the fact we spent until 2.30 chatting to each other about our summers, but we also want to be winning games and leaving the field with our heads held up.

Ending on a positive, it was great to see the new faces down and the return of some others. Also best wishes to Gareth Williams who emigrates down under and played his last game at the club despite not having a criminal record we know of.