On my Command Unleash Hell !

The Merry go round of more teams choosing to wait until Fri to let Leos 3s down continued with Wheatley Hills being the latest to blob.

Enter the Dark Lord of all things devious, clever and extremely effective !!

Gabes then blobbed on Wheatley Hills at 2 s level and engineered a 2 s v 3s inter club game that was far from a run around.

Firstly an apology, it has been gently pointed out to your humble scribe, by messers Gabriel and Cadgey, that I have been mentioning myself in recent reports far too much. Sorry boys I will attempt to knock that on the head pronto.

So with much friendly banter the game began.

It was clear that the 2s backs were several levels better than the 3s backs and from the outset the senior boys looked very dangerous out wide.

Basicly in the first 15 mins the 3s did not see the ball. Tom Tweddle directed quick ball from wee Jimmy and every time Russ caught it the 2s either scored or made huge ground. Russ was ably assisted by an Ex Gateshead Thunder first team player who scorched down his wing leaving older fatter defenders in his wake.

Gabes wittily said “ Gateshead Thunder to Leos drizzle ! “ but the young man was superb.

Said Dark Lord did front up and play at prop and he seemed to enjoy himself for the most part, not sure how many tackles he actually made mind !

The 3s manfully attempted to quell the tide but in truth we were being outclassed and in no time the 2s were 20 odd points up.

Some poor tactical choices did not help as ball was kicked away and the breakdown was hard fought but the 3s were slower to these areas of the field and we looked like we were going to receive an almighty stuffing.

Some of the tries scored were wonderful to watch, I probably should not have been watching ! , with good hands and swift direct running lines causing havoc amongst a shellshocked 3s defence.

Halftime arrived and the words were right boys, change of gameplan.

Cadgey decreed that the ball would not go past 12 and that Niall and any other back who got possession was to run it back towards the forwards.

We would then maul and ruck our way into the heart of the 2s defence.

This was executed to very positive effect with Cadgey, Chris, Liam, Cranners and Stevo all making hard yards. From lineout we lost the odd ball but also catch and drove brilliantly.

Jamie Young now back at 9 helped organise things and in the backs we watched and enjoyed us have much more of the game.

This led to tries for Poll, Norman Adams . Stevenson, Prestwich and Captain Cranners. 1 of these may have been scored in the first half !

Niall directed matters well at 10 and Jack Haire playing alongside his proud Dad made a sparkling debut. He showed quick feet, good pace and he made his tackles too.

Quite simply the 2nd half belonged to the 3s forwards, they drove every scrum backwards no matter whose ball it was.

From lineouts they also hammered the 2s boys time and again.

To be fair we do have an experienced and heavy duty set of forwards in the 3s and Captain Cranners led by example, ably assisted by the friendly behemoth that is Cadgey who boshed his way up field smashing folk out of the way like a run away steam train.

Stevo continued to also play very well carrying hard and gaining ground.

With the 2s now firmly on the back foot the 3s backs at last started to help out. Jack danced his way past defenders at will and Raj ran strongly on his wing as did Jake.

Lovers obeyed orders and tried to give his forwards a target, he did ok but good tackling by the 2s boys limited his influence on proceedings.

Niall also crashed it up at 10 running with his usual fearlessness. He played well.

Comedy moments. Niall kicking for touch, not making it when Cadgey had suggested that we simply bosh it up at close quarters.

Wee Jimmy attempting to tackle Cadgey who must have 13 stone on him, he did somehow manage to slow the moving mountain down long enough for the cavalry to arrive.

Tom Tweddle getting smashed by Liam, never fun being on the end of a liam tackle !

However he showed good hands to get the ball moving before Niall could get to him much to Nialls frustration !

Some fat unnamed 3s centre getting the dump tackle of his life from Jo Derry who hit him very hard indeed !! Same fat anonymous centre telling Russ and Gateshead Thunder boy to stop running so blinking fast !!

As the game wore on tiredness set in, certainly on some of the older players as the big pitch took its toll.

Winnie kept it all flowing with amusing banter and the odd admonishment when required.

The game was played in very friendly spirits but it was also a proper game and pride was at stake to no quarter was asked or given by either team.
The 3s finished the stronger and as the 2s forwards wilted under the onslaught confidence grew among the 3s. We made better decisions and won the second half 15 to 10 which was a wonderful effort up against younger, fitter at in some cases more skilful players among the 2s.

The un named rotund centre did have one good run at the end picking a loose ball and for once seeking space, he surprised Jamie Young, got up to full speed, so not very fast and confronted a worried looking Nathan.

Now to bosh him would have been like smacking a puppy so avoidence was called for with words later of “ You owe me a pint Nath !! “

The final score was Leos 2s 40 to Leos 3s 25.

This was a very enjoyable hard fought game played in the best spirits among friends.

Overall man of the match was by a country mile Russ Brown who cut the 3s to pieces time and again, sadly he leaves us soon for London and a new job, we wish him well.

3s man of the match should really go to the whole pack of forwards for a dominant effort in the 2nd stanza.

However in only his 2nd game in 18 months Stevo stood out from the crowd as Man of the match.

Honourable mentions for Cranners, Cadgey and Liam who also played very well.

We retired to the dresssing room where the 3s drank beer and the 2s ate shortbread provided by Jo Derry missus.

Despite losing I know which dressing room I wanted to be in !!

So next week we hope to welcome a few regulars back off the sick list and maybe even some oppo who will do the proper thing and actually turn up !!