Buzzer Beaten

With over 60 players making themselves available for the weekend and 40+ training on Tuesday the omens looked very good on a fine October morn.

After the movers and shakers settled down, the 3s had a team of 20, including Kenny Parsons who came straight to the game having been in Seattle the night before! Proper commitment that!

We knew that Cas would be physical, that they would run hard and that they would not give an inch yet 20 minutes in Leos found themselves 14-0 down from two bursts through the middle.

Early exchanges confirmed that it was going to be the kind of day where you need an extra handful of Epsom salts in your bath but Leos put in some graft and once more tackled themselves into the ground. The student cohort again punched well above their weight, taking down blokes more than twice their size (maybe age too!).

Caught up in the melee was John Quinlan who unfortunately had to cut his game short due to a rib injury, his omission from the side robbed the side of the loose cannon but Luke Wyman stepped up to fill the gap.

A fortuitous loose ball landed in Frankie Sannitti's hands and the centre broke free, finding Tom Gedye and ultimately Charles Bach (pronounced back apparently - you learn something new every day) finished the move off with a try beneath the sticks. Converted.

With a bit more structure and gusto Leos started to play some positive rugby. Sam Watkiss worked tirelessly at the coal face, often being pulled into the rucks he was digging around and was able to provide ball to Tom Bindloss and his backline.

Leos shunted forward through repeat penalties and the pack started to sniff the whitewash. Cas held firm to deny the home side until Dave Harrison got within a milimetre of the line, not one to scoff at a free lunch, Billy Marsh stretched out to score an opportunistic try which Charles duly converted.

Fresh legs were on as the second half got underway and still riding high from the second try, Leos were back over the line within a few minutes of the whistle with a well worked set of phases ending with Charles diving across for his second and then adding the extras.

Charles then decided to substitute himself whilst perilously perched on two tries, such blatant jug avoidance does not get overlooked...

It wasn't long before Bindloss spotted a gap near the line and strengthened Leos lead. Things were looking very positive by now for the home side with Gregor Belfield doing his best Spiderman impression at the lineouts, stealing no fewer than 5 to nullify what was a potent weapon for the travelling side.

Arithmetic was also on Leos side as the Cas 7 was sent for a 10 minute sit on the naughty step but this seemed to galvansie the opposition who were growing less than impressed with standing beneath their own sticks, Cas hit back hard and scored another two tries to bring the game level again.

Another midfield snaffle from Frankie set James Shipley free and the scoreline once more smiled on Leos.

Cas continued to threaten the Leos line and a superb last ditch tackle from Florian Leitner stopped an almost certain try but the son of Schwarzenegger quickly went from hero to zero, knocking on an attempted intercept and his last 10 minutes were spent as a spectator.

A try soon followed to bring the game to 31-31 with just a minute left on the clock.

The visitors went full Cas Vegas, chipping over the Leos backline to catch the ball on the bounce and break Leos hearts. It was ballsy and it paid off, sparking a pitch invasion from the visiting bench and supporters.

Some naivety, and not turning up for the first 20 minutes came back to haunt Leos who were denied what looked like a well earned win 10 minutes from time but Cas soon spoiled that party.

Leos man of the match goes to Gregor Belfield for a fine dayboo, his interventions at the lineout allowed Leos to get a foothold in the game and he ran well in the loose... Just need to feed the lad a pie or two!

Stalwarts Carl Stephenson and Si Howarth provided some much missed grunt in the pack, as did jetlagged Kenny. Leeds Hunters captain Steve Lloyd was a welcome addition during his back row cameo also.

A special shout-out to Tom Smethan who impressed at Hooker but also managed to lose his keys on a night out... Sleeping in his hallway the night before the game as wonderfully evidenced above. Credit to Tom Gedye for taking the initiate and the photo rather than doing anything to help the lad!

A bit more fire, a bit more fight and we'll get there. Next week we entertain York 4s at the crag with a chance to right some of this week's wrongs.