Last Gasp Victory on The Crag Salient

After a respectful silence in memory of the victims of the Paris atrocity a wholehearted rugby contest ensued. Both sides were melanges of age and experience with Scotty delighted that The Portly Magician once again kept him off the top of the age list and Tim Leslie joined to make up a 50+ triumvirate. Ben Neary returned on the wing after a 6 year tour of duty while secret weapon Danny T lined up in the centres. Plenty of possession was won and squandered early on as Leo’s tried to be too flash for the conditions. In the numerous scrums the home side had the ascendancy but the visitors defence was strong. In open play Corinthians also had some good broken field runners who made elusive yards but rarely threatened the line.
After a succession of drives the Leo’s pack worked a good lineout move for Onslow to drive through for the first try which Scotty converted. The visitors were not put out and threw themselves back into attack and after some comedy squandering of possession they ran through to score an equaliser. The game ebbed and flowed in the mud with Corinthians somewhat vociferous and Leo’s a little subdued as the half finished all square. Captain Neil and Cadge the Vice called for a return to Leo’s traditional game plan and for the first 10 minutes of the half probably the best 3rd XV rugby of the season ensued. Good drives, supporting forwards and plenty of options pushed the visitors deep into their 22 and increased their desperation and offending. A quick tap by Aspirin saw the back rower crash through for a score which Tim converted to impress his special spectator.
Corinthians once again showed spirit and also skill to keep in the game and despite losing a player for10 minutes for continual off-side scored a leveller. With plenty of time left both sides went hell for leather for the winner. Danny and Will crashed forward from the centres. Ben added wing pace and the forwards slugged it out in the feisty and combative breakdown zone. With time running out Corinthians broke away and looked odds on to score only for a last ditch tackle from Ben to cause a knock on. With the tiring Leo’s pack wishing for the final whistle The Fozaree indicated that there was more to play.
Drive after drive worked Leo’s upfield before the ball was lost and muddied defence was required. A Corinthian maul was stopped, held up and turned over by Scotty and Neil to allow Leo’s one last foray for victory. 8 plays, 4 penalties and multi-chelping from Corinthians later a kickable match winner was correctly eschewed and the penalty run once again. Two more drives and one last penalty was awarded for Danny T to crash over for the winner. Exhausted Leo’s delighted, transgressing and defeated Corinthians somewhat peeved. However, once the game was settled by Tim missing the extras it was handshakes all round and welcoming showers (hot) and beers (cold).