A Magnificent Old School Effort Brings Mixed Returns For The Leos 3s.

Leos 3s took on the welcome visitors from Wensleydale on a cold day with snow on the thankfully soft back pitch at the Crag. We thank them for making the journey, as some had come down from as far as Newcastle for the day out in Leeds. We gave them James as they were 1 short. Cadgey had rustled up several Grammar school lads who boosted Leos with their pace, enthusiasm and very correct tackling technique. Said amiable man mountain had bruised a couple of ribs at Selby so was on Ref duties for the afternoon. No rest for the virtuous ! He had helped ensure Leos put out 3 teams which is a good effort currently.

Wensleydale were bigger and knarlier up front and played a simple pick and drive game, their experienced 9 only releasing their talented back division when in Leos half or 22. Their huge 8 made the hard yards well and took some stopping, as did his large mates. The young boys tackled very well with Charlie Dawson at 8 leading the defensive effort. A fine player, communicator and one to watch for the future is Charlie. Jeremy led the drives with the ball in hand using his low centre of gravity to burrow under the tackling of the visitors; he was supported well by the rest of the pack. Big Dave boshed his way over the gainline and made a few notable breaks, he also ensured parity at scrum time before departing to play for the 1s for whom he was needed. The lineout broadly went well with youth being sent skywards to secure clean ball.

Jonny at 9 directed operations with ever growing confidence as he is now starting to develop his own understanding of the position and its responsibilities. He was brave under pressure and found your humble scribe at 10 ( Current weight 17 st 7 ! lightest since the portly 10 was 28 years old ! ) Dr George ran hard and straight at 12 with Jo Hunter also evading tacklers with quick feet and deceptive strength at 13. The ageless Leos living legend, originally simply known as “Jesus “, Tim Leslie made a welcome return at 15. He had been conned into thinking Cadge was to play alongside him!! Tim stepped into the 10 slot whenever needed and got the backs moving well. He also provided a selection of quality cheeses pre game. Ah to be a Leo, in some things we never change.

The first half was one of huge effort in both attack and defence from the home side, with Stevo showing quiet leadership up front. The deadlock was broken when somehow one of the young quick boys popped out of a ruck with the ball and hit the afterburners up the blindside, the supporting young Leos 6 took the pass and a flowing long range try was scored. Con missed.
It was apparent that Wensleydale were stronger when mauling and Leos needed to get to ground asap, we were turned over by simple strength, technique and experience on several occasions. When the game broke up the home team looked dangerous, as youth and pace then told.

Before halftime Jonny took a heavy tackle and unfortunately hurt a shoulder, he was playing well, showing courage under fire as Wensleydale quite legally came straight through the middle of many a ruck. He went off under the care of Dr George and we wish the young man a speedy recovery from his double-dislocated collarbone (!!). It was noted that Wensleydale were concerned for Jonny both at the time and in the bar afterwards where they made polite enquiries as to his wellbeing. Proper old school rugby players showing great respect, good to see.

The half ended with hope in a tight game, the stand in Captain called for just a little more composure, passionately asking his boys to redouble their efforts on first up tackles and to go to deck and not get in a mauling contest. Stevo suggested we go in 2s or 3s and not alone into contact. The effort shown by all the home team had been exemplary, particularly in defence as tackle after tackle on bigger opponents was made.

The second stanza kicked off with Charlie stepping in at 9 and a war of attrition quickly developed. Dan The Mann came on for Big Dave and bravely stepped into the front row and competitive scrums. Wensleydale got more ball and started to apply serious pressure. Only a last ditch 2 bites of the cherry tackle from Tim Jesus stopped the big 8 from scoring. Leos threw themselves into every contact with gusto but all the defending started to tell. The second half wore on with stalemate being the result, but Wens were gaining the upper hand. The scrum was now going backwards, and as the game entered the final 10 mins after a messy collapsed scrum the Leos skipper called for unopposed scrums for safety reasons. Eventually with Wens camped in the Leos 22 Leos simply ran out of bodies and the visitors scored. Try converted 5/7.

During this period Wens 10 began to take more of a grip on the game, breaking the odd tackle and offloading cleverly in contact. During one run a desperate home defender clung onto an ankle and the grumpy visitor thought he was being held unfairly, he briefly threatened to use his boots on the prostrate Leo before common sense prevailed. His 9 sniped and also put his big forwards into gaps, and on the back foot the signs looked ominous for Leos.

Despite all efforts an exhausted Leos then shipped 2 more tries in no time. We had just run out of energy and Wens stuck to their task well. One of their try scorers celebrated with high pitched glee, then apologised for thinking that was bad form. “ No you‘re ok lad we like a bit of passion here, well done “ came the reply. At this point a frustrated home 10 began to really try and smash anything in an oppo shirt. The Wens 8 reacted and put in a monster hit of his own totally legally, they got up laughing with each checking the other was ok ! It appeared to hurt a lot, much to several of Leos amusement.

Cadgey controlled the game with his easy authority and kept it honest and at last we heard the final whistle with no small relief.

Final score Leos 5 Wensleydale 19.

We retired to drink hot sweet tea and thaw out, as did our 1s when they heard we had some. The oppo were also taken tea as the theme of a game played in great spirits continued. Many thanks to our stalwart steward Tony for the pot of tea.
So an Old School day in lots of ways. Wens deserved their win. Leos all tried their collective nuts off but learnt a few tough lessons on a cold muddy day.

An old face was spotted in the small group watching, could it really be that erudite no 9 of a few seasons past, a certain Jamie Young ? Do you know I think it was, he is even talking about a return to Leos colours at the end of Jan.
Here’s hoping !!

Man of the Match by common consent was Charlie Dawson who was relentless in ball carrying, tackling and playing 50 ish mins in unfamiliar territory at 9.