Depleted Defeated and Depleted Some More

Not entirely his fault as 12 regulars were doing “other things” (including baby-sitting, buying cushions, stroking kittens) and Thommo injured himself unloading bunting on Friday afternoon. Thankfully Aireborough brought a cast of thousands following the late cancellation for their 1stXV game. After presenting Leo’s with 5 very competitive guests Aireborough also resupplied Leo’s at regular intervals during the game as everyone just wanted a game of competitive running rugby.
Leo’s kicked off and were immediately on the back foot as the visitors drove in with some well rehearsed forward play and recycling. Bodies on the line from the off and Leo’s resisting well. However, after defending a dozen or so phases turnover ball was secured by Gareth A, who decided to run out of defence at pace. His foray was brought to a crashing halt, ball spilled, and a try conceded. Leo’s picked themselves up, well most did. Lying prone were both Gareth and James Poll. 15 minute injuries break ensued as Dr Kevorkian assessed the broken winger before his lovely girlfriend drove onto the pitch to fetch him to hospital. James Poll (knee ligaments) hopped aboard for the ride.
More Aireborough joined Leo’s with the home side just in the majority. Credit to both Leo’s and guests heads never went down despite the constant barrage from the lively skilled and strong running visitors. Tries were conceded at regular intervals but a boshing run from guest centre set up Phil the Power for a Leo’s score and the home sides Try Man executed one of his trademark 50 yard kick and chase efforts for a second. Scotty converted both to give an air of respectability to the scoreline.
Soon after the break Leo’s became the minority partner in the rugby coalition as The Quartermaster left the field. Line out ball was a steady supply of possession for Leo’s while scrums were surprisingly solid despite Scotty having to front up against an Aire 1st teamer at the loose head birth. The unequal struggle continued at a frantic but sporting pace with The Fozaree doing well to keep up but also controlling the game in the right spirit. A guest scored another Leo’s try for Scotty to convert and Aireborough scored some more of themselves before the end of season sporting try-fest drew to a close.
Leo’s magnificent seven survivors: Scotty, Billy, Phil, CJ+, George, JP Murphy, Tom W.
Leo’s trashed trio: Gareth A, James Poll, Gary The Quartermaster.
A big thank you to Aireborough, without whom none of this could have been possible.