Rowntrees Backs too Smarty for Leo’s

Fortunately the visitors handed over a very competitive prop in Dan and eventually Matt Millner arrived and was snaffled from the 2nd XV bench. However for 65 minutes due to late arrivals and then injury Leo’s battled manfully with 14 against a well drilled and pacy Rowntrees. The perennial wish for soft centres was once again ignored by the visitors who had a very good set of backs and a non too shabby pack. Leo’s however showed application endeavour and bravery against the odds, and the odd, the latter in the form of an erratic referee who reduced even the most sanguine of Leo’s to a chelping kev-baller at times.
The set pieces were fairly even as the Leo’s pack proved more than a match for Rowntrees with James I, Si and Guest Dan setting a fine front row platform. Stevo and Carl formed the two man back row as both likely open-sides, James H and Matt were lining up in the centres. Young Ed Farmer made his 3rd team debut at ten and looks to be one for the future, after a few more 3rd XV outings. With ball in hand and broken field play Rowntrees backs were clearly superior and able to run in a try or two before Leo’s upped their game. The familiar Plan A was adhered too for most of the game and earned both territory and possession for Maltese Falcon and Debut Boy to utilise. Burley Kenny scored Leo’s first try, before retiring hurt. Carl got the second, but there was a sprinkling of visitors tries conceded. The back three tried running from deep with even Tim Leslie joining the line. Scotty steered some trademark mauls for hard yards as Rob and the pack supported with bosh or canter.
Once Ed had dry heaved behind the posts the second half commenced with Leo’s running everything from everywhere in a performance of pride and passion despite being short on numbers and cohesion. Every player put heart and soul into the game despite suffering the slings and arrows of outrageous refereeing decisions. The coup de grace being a try scored when members of Leo’s defensive line were being lectured by the referee. Undaunted Carl caught the kick off and careered upfield with support gasping behind. Quick recycling, furious clearing and good support led to Leo’s final try from Stevo and a minor restoration of morale.