Chance of Victory Slips Away

The visitors had also added a zest of youth to their recipe, which by the end of a mudfest of error strewn rugby proved to be the difference.
On the gluepot back pitch, sadly lacking the traditional shale topping of the Marshall years both sides slip-slided their way through an entertaining game played out in excellent spirit and well controlled by the Fozeree. Both packs battled hard for ascendancy with the scrums, featuring Kenroy at loose head, solid enough but the lineouts were less secure due to a mixture of wayward throwing from Scotty and a pair of very competitive visiting units. Once ball was secure the double Jake combo at half-backs tried in vain to release the speedsters through the gloop. It was not a pitch for our top of the ground thoroughbreds as both man and ball were spilled at regular intervals. The visitors scored first as their lightweight scampering stand-off stepped and sprinted through the stodgy home defence, and added his own extras. Leo’s worked back upfield with some good forward grind as Thommo, Carl and JP made the yards and ball was retained with good tidying and clearing at the competitive breakdowns. Unfortunately no way through was found and after a turnover Leo’s demonstrated that they had continuity, in missing tackles! Scotty began with a slap and tickle in the visitors 22 before the remainder of the side joined in allowing a flowing length of the field score from Cleckheaton, finished off by a bulky centre. A quick break from Tom was only pulled back for a marginal knock on before the game turned round at 0-14, but with all to play for.
Steel was added at 10 with Richie Edgar swapping with Jake as Leo’s banked on the hope of young light speed merchants, including Raj and Telfer, to turn the game round. The muddy war of attrition continued as neither side succeeded in breaking through the combative defences. Bodies were thrown in harm’s way with Billy being a hero and having to leave the field exsanguinating and even Scotty putting in a last ditch tackle. Tom S broke free on a couple of occasions but was grounded be both the youngest and oldest opponents at various times as Cleck held firm. The scrum count increased in line with the errors as the forwards battled to a standstill and the backs ran out of energy and dry ground over which to dart. Time ran out on a scoreless second half to bring a gallant defeat to Leo’s who, on a drier day, with a bit of luck, may have come close to victory.