New season starts in style

Following a long preseason, Leos 2/3s assembled with experienced, returning and new faces to take on local rivals West Park Leeds.

Pre-game fashion shoots courtesy of captain Neil Shaw ensured a new raft of team photos will be popping up on various forms of social media and illicit hookup apps. Looking resplendent in the brand new navy and gold kit sponsored by food delivery juggernaut deliveroo, Leos certainly had all the gear.

The sun had his hat on as both teams had a good moan about the incredibly warm weather. You won't be moaning about the heat come winter the ref said... He clearly hasn't reffed us before.

The game kicked off with WPL dominating the early exchanges, plenty of offloads and a few line breaks for good measure, it was clear they were going to want quick ball all day to feed their monster in the centres. This off the cuff style did cause a few problems throughout the match and a fumble followed by a turnover allowed Leos backs to play their own brand of attacking rugby with the sashaying hips of Nick Porter leaving the centres befuddled.

A few passes through the hands of newcomers Jordan Cummings and Chris Noon exposed space outside. The ball eventually found its way to 'As seen on CCTV' Fraser Crawford who popped a quick ball into the hands of Tom Bindloss, dotting down for the first try of the season. The nicest man in Leos; Porter, not Bindloss ably converted.

With a bit of sun in his eyes Tom Clapham knocked the resulting kickoff back and some trench warfare ensued. True to form Leos found themselves with a few too many in the rucks at times but managed to hold strong, a couple of one out runners were wrapped up by the WPL defence. Yours truly was on the receiving end of at least one 3 man hug which whilst comforting in a way, was also a pretty ugly place to be.

Possession flipped back and forth, plenty of chelping from the WPL boys didn't curry much favour with the no nonsense approach of today's referee who to his credit let play flow and didn't let every technicality or offence warrant a toot of the whistle.

Again Leos went wide, Scrum Half Will Crawforth supplied good ball to his backs for most of the afternoon, his only wobbler actually set up the next try! Porter scraped the pill off his laces and tucked it back to Fraser who went on a canter and passed down the line. A big overlap appeared and as the ball made its way back to Fraser he dotted down. Conversion missed.

The WPL boys regrouped however and started to gain a bit of dominance in the scrum, this gave good platform for their backs to play the expansive game they'd been planning. A lineout 5m from Leos line ultimately led to their opening points, a strong drive forced them over. The heavier pack will often win those ones.

Fresh blood entered the fray as Joe Martin and Callum Grant came on, making an impact early on with some solid defence and big carries, the back 5 became a bit of a carousel with Carl Stephenson and Si Howarth also rolling on. Carl being denied a trademark try tap and go try by some staunch countering from WPL.

An interesting lineout in the last few minutes saw Billy Marsh landing on his glass back, the confusion was probably down to the pack trying to come to terms with the fact that a 'Club Ball' was called, not one for the purists.

Changes were made at half time which allowed for a spot of sunbathing .

WPL had a bit of fire under them at the start of the half and Leos were caught infringing multiple times, having got within 5m of an early 3rd try, the home side were very quickly marched down field for repeat offences, the big boot of WPLs 10 didn't make matters any better for the boys in blue.

A bit of deja vu followed, a 5m lineout for the yellow side and a big driving maul, this one absorbing almost the entire squad, lead to a big heave over the Leos line. A try certainly? Certainly not! With Matt Milner clinging onto the ball for dear life, the scrappy brewer left a bitter taste in the oppositions mouth.

The resulting scrum was won by Leos and acting at Number 8, Joe Martin opened his stride and shrugged off a couple of would be tacklers as he made a dart towards the line. A big hoof upfield caused some confusion for the opposition 15 who had Joe and Bindloss in hot pursuit. Unfortunately WPL managed to regain and went on their own jaunt, end to end stuff indeed!

Finding a big overlap out wide again, Fraser managed to get over for his second of the game giving Leos a bit of breathing space... For about 5 minutes before WPL responded with some flat lines proving too much for the scrambling goal line defence.

About 10 minutes on the clock and 4 points in it, the game was poised for a big finish.

Leos soon benefitted from a number of scrum penalties as the opposition flankers forgot to bind and the scrum half took a few steps too many. The ball stuck in the middle however as the teams traded won and lost scrums. Finally the ball bounced In favour of the home side who, from the back of a wheeling scrum exposed an understaffed open side which eventually led to The Crawf scoring the decisive try. Converted.

1 minute on the clock and in no mood to play any more rugby, Leos regained the kick off, drove a few phases and decided enough was enough. A boot to touch lead to a final blast of the whistle and a well earned 24-12 win for Leos.

Plenty of positives from the game but also plenty to work on. A good first run out from the team who will no doubt grow as the weeks go on. The added spice of merit league action for both the 2s and 3s will make selection a competitive process with a handful of lads putting their hands up throughout.

A post match cheeseboard washed down by some warm Quirky ales sealed a good first day out.

Man of the match Fraser Crawford and a special mention for Jordan using his iPhone as a mirror to style his hair and preen post game... and for providing some good, wholesome gangster rap to set the scene.