Pace The Differentiator

It could have been 22 but Batman kindly elected to watch rather than add a 5th forward to the bench! Duncan Read slotted into the amble shirt of the Portly Magician and ex 4th teamer Joe Derry added his 2nd XV knock on skills to the centre but it was the spirited 4th team regulars showing teamwork, support and raw pace that led to the biggest win of the season, and possibly a lot of players Leo’s career!
Such a score line was unimaginable in the early exchanges where possession was fought for and tensions rose when Scotty entered through Ref Foz’s very narrow gate at a ruck to upset the visiting 9 but luckily evade the wild haymaker. Top chelping followed and it was observed by Thommo that Foz narrowed his gate even more for the remainder of the game! Once some decent ball was won Grant supplied The Posh Controller who kept the backs busy and dangerous all afternoon. Quick ball to diminutive winger Robbo saw the twinkle toed utility man scamper over out wide for the first score. This was quickly followed by a try for Dean before Westwood took advantage of some scrappy Pock lineout work to spin over for the third. This led to Westwood getting altogether too giddy for the rest of the game during which he tried Dummy M1s and a chip and chase as his mind exceeded his capabilities. The Posh Controller and The Crab both added their own tries from quick taps and Tom Stubbly a brace based on sheer pace as speed of thought and deed put the game well beyond the visiting side. The packs continued their rough and tumble but once turnover was won, or secure possession retained the backs were able to cut lose time and again, supported by eager team mates as the home side ran riot.
With a 48-5 lead at the break Ken Barlow and Aspirin joined the back line and Charlie B the forwards, who had already replaced an injured Matt W and continued to spell tired and bruised warriors throughout the second half where Pock kept the ball in the forwards and made the contest more of a pack rumbling contest. Josh took a knock and departed, but with 6 front rowers there was always a prop to step up. Such was the proptastic nature of the Leo’s pack that Big John was “forced” to play at 8, where he relished the ball carrying duties. The second half was more attritional and Kinga nearly fell out with one of the visitors more feisty players. Pock never gave in and caused the home pack some problems with their driving mauls in a competitive forwards battle. Once again though the pace of the backs told and four more tries were scored, through Robbo, expertly set up by Scotty, Ken, and a pair for Dean, the latter a penalty try when he was cruelly tackled without the ball only a yard from the line, and even Dean couldn’t have squandered that sort of chance, could he?
So a hard fought victory which was nicely enhanced by some blistering pace and sure hands to make the score line, if not flattering to Leo’s, certainly unkind to Pocklington who gave it their all but should have played more to their pack based strengths than allowing Leo’s so much open field possession when the speedsters hit form.