Storm Desmond in Spires 3rd XV to Victory

Despite the weathers best efforts rugby was still able to take place at Crag Lane. As Yarnbury's pitches were unplayable the fixture was changed to a home fixture. A strong squad assembled despite late call ups and James Houseman over indulging at his Christmas Do.

With every player keen to stay in the warm confines as long as possible a warm up straight into kick off was decided. With Yarnbury winning the toss they non-surprisingly chose to play with the elements at there back. Not to be daunted Leo's started the game well with the forwards clearly fired up for the occasion with Rob Byram leading the charge in his best game in a Leo's jersey. Despite this strong start it was Yarnbury who struck first after Jamie Scott's ill advised offload in the conditions a couple of fly hacks later and Leo's were 5 nil down.

Despite this set back Leo's fought there way back into the contest and despite the conditions managed to find some time in the oppositions 22m and after some relentless running from Lewis and Jack in midfield Leo's were bundled into touch 5 metres out. With Neil stealing the lineout like a leaping salmon the wise old fox Scotty got himself in the right position to be driven over by his forward colleagues. The touchline was then made much to the surprise of Tweds and the rest of his teammates. Leo's continued to defend and carry with great commitment and despite suffering territorially due to the conditions struck again before the half time whistle. A low kick under the wind turned Yarnbury's back free and as the full back took ain to clear Billy Adams appeared like a stealth bomber to charge down for Steve Plumber to pick up and run in unopposed for his first 5 pointer for Leo's 3s. Tweds again kicked the conversion into the wind and Leo's turned round with a 14 - 5 lead and the wind at their backs.

The half time bought not just a breather from a relentless game played in great spirits but also saw the introduction of Cadge and JP to add bulk to the forward pack. With the conditions worsening ad the ground beginning to cut up flowing rugby in the 2nd half was at a premium. With loose ball spilling from a lineout rather than falling on the ball like a proper front row forward Dave Harrison decided to fly hack the ball 40metres sideways and backwards much to the disgust of his teammates. He was duly rewarded with a Newcastle Brown Ale in the post match presentations from Gabz. The game was then delayed due to a serious injury to a Yarnbury player and all at Leo's wish him a speedy recovery to get back on a rugby field.

Following the delay one more try came the way of Leo's after wearing a high tackle, Lewis bounced back up took the quick tap and bounced his way through a several would be tacklers to score. Tweds maintained his 100% record from the tee to make the score 21-5 with 10 minutes to go.

Leo's would and should have had a 4th try but Jak chose to ignore the 3 on 1 overlap only to get tackled a metre short of the line. The game came to an end with the wind keeping all the play in Yarnbury's half and at the final whistle a fully deserved victory for Leo's in the conditions. The performance was definitely the best of the season so far full of endeavour, commitment and a willingness to play from all within the squad. Now all we need to do is repeat it week in week out.