Petulance, Pique and Penalties

Eventually though a 17 man squad set about competing with the high scoring York 4th XV, who looked massive and well organised. Fronting up well to the battle the visitors looked lively with ball in hand and tenacious in defence. Having repelled the initial York attacks Cadgy and his pack secured possession and employed the regular plan. Driving and recycling worked the ball upfield before the backs, marshalled by Blakey and The Maltese Falcon took over. Lovejoy and Millsy formed a boshtastic centre partnership but York’s defence was big and strong.
With Scotty soaring at four secure line-out ball was made available despite dangerous aerial assaults on the aging lock. Trademark driving mauls positioned the play perfectly for the Falcon to swoop in for an early score. Tim converted and Leo’s reverted to defensive duties. The scrum was solid and secure but the back row lively but inexperienced. A lose scrum was punished by York who scored a 5 pointer before Leo’s worked up a head of steam once again. Chris, James and Matt rampaged around the fringes with bulky support from Scotty, Cadgy and Rob. Phil The Power, just on for Blakey scored with his first touch and Tim converted beautifully from out wide to increase Leo’s lead. The remainder of the half resembled a midfield tackle-fest with ruck and counter ruck from the furious front fives occasionally spiced up with lively rampaging backs play, but no score for either side.
There was much work to be done and discipline to be kept in the face of the likely onslaught and Leo’s began the second half perfectly. More classic forwards play saw yet another Scotty catch and full pack drive before the backs cut loose, forcing York to infringe. With the game tight as a gnat’s chuff Leo’s elected for the three points, which Tim duly secured giving Leo’s a 12 point lead to protect and the confidence to do so.
Then it all fell apart. Play became more disjointed. York, with their huge back row upping the endeavour were forcing Leo’s to infringe. Brave tackling was spoilt by silly errors and the referee decided to take a dislike to the visitors. Penalty after penalty, warnings of penalty tries allied to York’s impressive pressure told and Leo’s conceded two tries to trail by a couple of points with 10 minutes to go. Scotty retired exhausted after too much tackling (at least four!) and the backs livened themselves up for a final game changing session. Lovejoy boshed, Phil charged, Matt and The Falcon looped and swooped but to no avail as time and patience ran out for Leo’s and the referee. In the final play Chris hurt his ankle and it was handshakes all round as the most competitive and sporting games of the season came to a disappointing end for the weary Leo’s