Leslie leads Lively Leo’s to Victory

The rest of the regulars assembled to take on a on a Selby 5th XV marshalled by England’s Ray Adamson in their own back yard.
After an opening scrum of appalling application and technique the front five played their opponents off the park for the remainder of the game. Rhett and Scotty powered the engine room and Big Steve caused his opposite number all sorts of trouble. Linking well at the coalface with Gav and Si H the Fourths Forwards of the Apocalypse kept up the supply of ball for Jake to feed the timeless Leslie who made the right choices to either kick or release the backs. An unusual back row featuring JP, Billy, and the Gay Impetuoso worked well at the breakdown and pressured the home side into deep kicks and little else. Eventually the pressure told and a 7 pointer resulted. Selby piled back into the fray and a couple of turnovers were conceded before the visiting pack upped the ante again and drove forward with pace from Gav, support from the back row, and bulk from Scotty and Steve. JP departed injured and Bronze Matt came into 8 to benefit from a scrumtastic drive and a pushover try with his first touch.
The game continued to ebb and flow as the England International and Ex Kev-baller exchanging kicks and banter as the spirit and endeavour of both sides was matched by sportsmanship and good humour. A third try gave Leo’s a 0-19 lead at the break. A further 40 minutes of clean controlled rugby was required as Leo’s refused to indulge in the fancy-dan play that cost them so dearly in previous weeks. Lloyd and Andrew ran sensible lines, wingers added pace and the pack continued their social rugby master class of strength unity and enjoyment.
With gaps opening up the tiring Rhett was replaced by Batman, who swooped on, hurt his wing, and swooped back off. Kenroy added bulk to the centres, and then the front row as exhaustion and injury led to a few personnel changes. Tries were the reward for both forwards (Bronze Matt), and backs (Tom, Fedex and Jake) while both Tim and Scotty squabbled over conversions. The game continued at high speed and Selby never gave up. Brave defence and stout tackles for one and all kept out the home side. Driving mauls controlled by Scotty and Si made hard yards and the Gav-Billy axis was reaping rewards at the lineout. A couple of late tries from distance put the icing on the very nourishing cake and Leo’s can take comfort from a job well done, the right way, rather than gay flair sacrificing victories.
The Crown in Monk Fryston was the stop off for some fine ale and 3D Rugby on the big screen.