Attitude and Gradient overcome Burley

As Burley worked the pads in their ferocious warm-up Leo’s naturally milled, chatted and practised a line-out.
The game commenced with Leo’s defending against a superior sized pack and also the topography and were immediately on the back foot as the home side attacked using a mixture of huge forwards or fleet footed backs, or the hybrid huge fast prop. Scrambling defence kept Burley out for a while until the behemoth careered through the defensive line and set up a try. Against the bigger pack Leo’s forwards disrupted, slowed and battled for possession but in the set piece James H gave up the unequal struggle in the front row and passive scrums were introduced. Scarce ball was worked well by Ben SB through Blakey and the backs but Burley tackling was sound. A terrific touchline run from Will C was bundled into touch just short and as Burley worked back down hill they made their second telling break. A slick piece of handling sent the speedy centre through a gap and with Bindloss showing him the outside, he gratefully sped past the fullback and scored under the posts.
Leo’s upped their game for the second quarter and with Scotty, Neil and Dave H repelling the fringing drives Burley were kept at bay and the backs were not missing a tackle when the ball went wide. The odd forward skirmish from Tim M and Charlie gave the visitors heart as they closed out the home side for a mere 12 point deficit at the break.
Taking in the vertiginous view after turning round Leo’s felt mildly dizzy and confident. With enough ball they had the pace and guile to overcome the deficit, but the struggle for possession would be key. Early drives from Dave and Tom started the ball rolling before the backs joined in with momentum. Charlie D, on the wing charged close and Carl added some extra bosh to the Leo’s efforts. The forwards effected a turnover, carried well and created the space for Tim M to glide through. Ben SB made the extras and Leo’s were back in it. More torrid defensive duties were required to keep the burley Burley pack at bay before another slick backs move saw Tom B score under the posts and a lead was secured with the extras. Burley weren’t giving up and the intensity increased but under the cool eye of referee Martin the game never boiled over. Ben SB added a game closing three-pointer which didn’t really close the game at all as Burley piled on the pressure uphill with speed and weight giving the visitors a few nervous moments and defensive duties to keep their line secure along with a hard won victory.
Triumphant Leo’s returned to the changing room for a well earned Cheeseboard, supplied by Scotty, and then a very pleasant selection of bottled ales, provided by Burley.