Sporadically Shambolic, Certainly Spirited

Mick Harling and Andy Patterson returned after a short two year break and Rory ffoulkes (ex Wetherby and Harrogate) was introduced by Charlie B. Leo’s looked strong and experienced, with a 106 year old (steam) engine room in Scotty and Batman, and a set of dangerous backs who only lacked cohesion from not playing together. Unfortunately the Moortown backline, bar one, had all played 1st team rugby, and it showed throughout with their direct running, good recycling and very strong (and high?) defence!
Leo’s had the upper hand in the scrums, with The Pensioner striking three against the head, but the lineouts were less than secure. In the lose it was a rugged confrontation, smattered with kerfuffles as Referee Foz refereed how he used to play! The back row of CJ, Newns and Harling battled valiantly but the Moortown back line was just too canny, quick and organised. Leo’s competed well from the start but were undone by committing too many to the breakdown, although in fairness they probably needed to in order to secure possession or defend the contact area. This allowed the superior visiting back line to work the overlaps and make good yards. Eventually the defensive gaps became large enough for tries to be shipped. A 12-0 lead was posted before Leo’s worked their way back into the game. A sublime break from the ageless Andy Patt released Tom, who interchanged with the supporting Andy to set Simon Cz away for a well worked score. Unfortunately the good work was undone with a third concession to leave the game just about within reach at 7-19 at the break.
Using the conditions to their advantage Leo’s piled into the visitors after the break. Charge downs, offensive defence and skirmishing led to a lineout at the 5 yard line. From the slapdown the Moortown 9 was almost scragged by Scotty, then almost tackled by three other Leo’s as the visitors ran through, round and past a shambolic defensive operation for a heartbreaking try. Never dispirited Leo’s tried again, with more vigour, losing Andy Patt in the process. Rory ff took up the fulcrum role to drive the home side forward. Old school Harling steps and Scotty led mauls kept the game going in the right direction as it became more fractious, with fists being raised higher than the visitors tackles!
It took an age defying 70 yard run from Newnsy, avoiding three tackles on his way to the line to bring the game closer to Leo’s. Despite having spent the previous week at the Adult Entertainment Expo in Las Vegas Jon still had enough energy left to score. Not long after another midfield shemozzle left the visitors moaning, the ball lose, and Tom scampering away for a breakaway try which Scotty converted to leave the home side 5 points behind with 5 minutes left and their dander’s well and truly up!
Unfortunately time ran out, and despite a valiant effort, playing the last 20 minutes with 14 men, Leo’s succumbed to their fourth consecutive defeat, and second by just one score.