Hail to the hailed on for holding on

Thus enthused Leo’s trooped out for their warm-up under leaden skies filled with foreboding before turning tail in the face of a storm of Biblical proportions to cower in the relative shelter of the changing rooms. Having being lured out by the referee with the promise of an edited game Leo’s won the toss and elected to career down the muddy hill and try and build up a defendable lead.
With the ball mainly resembling a greased piglet for the duration of the game there was a surprising amount of skill and endeavour on display from both sides. Kenny’s Burley had a bit of elusive pace in their back line while Leo’s were content with the rumbling forward game which serves them well. Unfortunately over exuberance and conditions kept scoring opportunities to a minimum. Scotty was soaring at 2 and the drives were making yards before backs joined the muddy fun. Rob and Blakey tried to make breaks but the home defence was strong. The pack took over again and finally Stevo and Carl managed to get close enough for Tom C to drive over for his first Leo’s try in his finest Leo’s performance to date. It was to the right of the posts but should have been converted by the small footed lock.
More pressure was applied but scrambling defence, bad bounces, or poor retention meant that Leo’s only scored once more despite huge territorial advantage. This time Cadgy added his bulk and gravity to the forwards hard graft to bound over from 8 yards, doubling his season’s scoring yardage and giving him his 6th try of the year. Wider left and Tim missed the conversion too. So at half time there was a slender 10 point lead to defend up the hill, into the wind and rain.
Almost immediately the home side took advantage of their improved environmental conditions and flew into the Leo’s defensive formations. Their diminutive centre made a break and seemed less affected by the gloopy mud in order to score out wide. Leo’s backs were against the wall and brave defence was required. This came in the form of drive stopping tackles from Scotty, Tom, and Stevo around the rucks and scrambling defence from everyone else. The backs made an impression with great carries out from Jon, and kicks from Tim. In fact Leo’s came surprisingly close to scoring uphill before once again retreating to defensive duties. Eventually the Burley Sideshow Bob lookalike lock careered downhill for a second Burley try. At this point the most vicious hailstorm arrived. Leo’s lined up behind the posts, Indian file, largest at the front, to avoid injury. Burley ran for the trees, leaving their kicker without a tee or encouragement. He drop kicked wide, leaving the scores level and 10 minutes to play.
With the pitch now resembling the mud of Passchendaele Leo’s dug deep and defended for their lives in the face of the elements and Burley’s spirited attacks. Big hits, frantic scrambling and a bit of luck finally saw Leo’s with a defensive five metre scrum from which Rob booted the ball backwards over the dead ball line like you see on telly. A draw most certainly the fairest result. Muddied, battered and bloodies both sides stumbled back to the warmth of showers and clubhouse to decide whether they had enjoyed their afternoon of muddy combat.