Hegians win it out wide

For the first time in over a year Leos managed to field 3 teams, each with subs!

The 2nd 2s, or the 3s, were sent on their way to play local rivals Roundhegians for what would be the 3rd meeting between the two clubs already this year, the score balanced at 1-1.

The game started very much in favour of the home team who managed to run in 2 quick tries in the opening minutes. Leos were defending well but just couldn't get enough cover out wide to stop he attack. A third try shortly followed and it looked like a long day was on the cards.

With veteran pack leaders Chris Cadge and Jim Cappel in attendance however Leos were certainly not going to go down without a fight. Phase after phase came from Leos who edged their way up the park, Jason Blakey provided some superb service out to the rest of his back line but Heigians were not going to crack. A few quick picks from the base of the ruck saw Leos edge closer until Billy Marsh dummied and jumped over the line to open the scoring for the visitors.

The pace soon picked up from both sides with some surging runs from Andrew Kennedy and Connor Spencer giving Leos some much needed front-foot ball before Brad BalMer found a fifth gear and raced away under the posts for a converted try, game on it seemed.

Heigians kept threatening and were either stopped short by some very brave defending from the Leos student cohort, Guy James in particular tackling players 2-3x his size with some real gusto, or the occasional forward pass/knock on. Eventually they found a way and dotted down again.

There was a real battle all day in the middle of the field, possession changed hands frequently and the scrums kept coming, it would probably be understating it to say there were close to 40, if not more! When stood under the sticks someone piped up that Leos were by far the better team with the ball in hand... This was of course true until Heigians got their hands on the ball and were far better with it.

The half ended shortly after a bit of miscommunication between Jason Blakey and Guy James saw the ball get dropped with nothing other than the posts to stop him from grounding. A temporary brain fart no doubt.

With all the fun of reset scrums, you would have missed the fact that there was only 1 penalty in the first half but discipline from both sides was pretty much spot on, even if there was the odd debate about the finer details of rugby law.

The second half was a slightly more cagey affair, the Heigians 10 and 12 continued to direct traffic, Leos endured. Big runs from the stocky winger and mobile pack kept coming but Leos endured. It got too much eventually and space opened up on the flanks allowing the home side to score another try.

Leos then spent 20 or so minutes in the opposition half, rolling forward with powerful runs from Carl Stephenson and Jack Newton. Neil Shaw made a return from injury and managed to not get in any kind of scuffle as he made yards also. The scrums were now having a noticeable impact on both packs who spent some time watching the backs get on with their business, Heigians managed to break through once more but Leos would not quit.

After more time camped on the 22, the pack drove on again and again until out of nowhere, the runaway freight train better known as the Cadgeasaurus boomed over the line for a morale boosting try. Estimates suggest he crossed from between 5 and 25 meters out, the seismic impact is currently being assessed by the North Leeds geological society.

The closing minutes were a bit of a blur with both sides handing each other possession, there may have been another try or two before Carl went on a rampage, stomping his way down the pitch and putting in some footwork to finish of a lung busting 30-40 trek. Farmer Jim volunteered himself to take the conversion which he duly missed, backside with a banjo springs to mind but you've got to love a trier.

That was the ball game, a comfortable 44-22 win for the home side who were certainly the more deserving team. Had Leos taken their chances it could have been much tighter but alas not this time.

Man of the match goes to Guy James for his heroic defensive efforts but plenty of good performances 1 - 15.

Onwards and upwards for Leos next week with the hope that 3 teams will again be possible and maybe a merit league game will happen!