Brave Leo’s Battle to Deserved Victory

Despite requests to captains and pleas to club officials Billy heroically took 13 to Roundhegians for a tough competitive fixture despite there being 30 players at Leo’s taking part in a 2nds v 3rds runabout.
Thankfully Sheffield Medics responded to CJ’s grooming techniques and lent some youthful forwards to make up a full line-up against a Roundhegians side who are always the feisty side of competitive. A traditional chaotic opening from Leo’s allowed the home side to score an early try before the visiting front 5 got to grips with the contest and proceeded to boss their larger opponents around for the remainder of the game. Si H, and Josh gave Thommo an armchair ride as four “against the heads” were secured and many a hard yard was driven to give Matt the time and space, offside defenders permitting, to release the speedsters. The battle royal continued unabated up front but it was the speed and guile of Tom S who brought Leo’s back into the game with a looping 50 yard run. The home side responded with some bosh and bash before the rotund centre indulged in a rumbling multi-handoff run to the line and Leo’s were further behind. The forwards grafted some more with strong carries, tidying up from Scotty and guests in order to get the backs into the game again. CJ, sacrificing himself positionally for the cause worked hard on the wing with good tidying and take ups.Once more the Flying Pizza sliced through the home defence, and Jake added the extras. The erratic referee kept up the confusion and bewilderment factor for both sides but was generous enough to award Leo’s a kickable penalty which Jake popped over for a 1 point lead at the break.
Students came and went but Leo’s kept about their business from the off as the second half began with fifteen minutes of backs to the wall defending. Waggons were arranged in a circular fashion as Leo’s young (Medics guests) and old (Batman and Ray) put themselves in harm’s way to keep out the lively home attackers. Josh retried with a sore head but Kenroy had arrived in response to frantic appeals for players and he joined the front five. After scaring the Hegians pack at his first scrum, Kenroy then single-handedly repelled a driving maul with a game saving turnover. Knowing that they needed to be a good couple of scores up Leo’s pressed forward. Line-outs were secured with Rhett offering reliable options at four for Scotty to find. Lloyd ran hard and straight while Jon and Billy added more pace out wide as Leo’s piled on the pressure. Three 5 yard scrums were repelled before Medic #3 crashed through to extend the lead. More forwards pressure gave Matt the opportunity to score out wide, shunning the inside pass to Scotty and the game was won.
Victory without struggle is triumph without glory so this was indeed a glorious and hard earned triumph. It was played in excellent spirit with Thommo and Scotty trying hard to recall the last game against Roundhegians where no punches were thrown. The team was a fine mix of age (17-59), experience, application and endeavour which may have featured yet another couple of players with first team potential. Such a shame that the club should disregard an opportunity to support and encourage them.