There are some defeats more triumphant than victories

On a sunny day at The Crag, pitted against a 4th XV from a club four divisions higher, who also compete in an East York’s merit league, JP’s warriors battled themselves to a standstill and but for the smallest margins in luck, decision making, decisions and genetics, could have come away with a stunning victory.
Scunthorpe looked big, organised and well drilled as Leo’s milled around wondering who was going to play where. With Jacob’s mum not allowing him to play when there’s a drama exam coming up Leo’s were shorn of a recognised half back. Gav moved out of the front row to play at 9 while the peripatetic skipper took on the mantle of fulcrum. Brittle Ben was welcomed back on the wing and debut boy Dom lined up on the opposite flank. Scunthorpe kicked off and set about their well organised game plan. Attack after attack was repelled by Leo’s who tackled, scrambled and chased to keep out the lively visitors. After working their way up field a kickable penalty was awarded by Weeny Ref and showing huge respect to the home defence Scunthorpe elected to kick, and miss. More pressure, more borderline decisions and another three-pointer went begging before the visitors eventually registered. Heartened by the visitors lack of ambition Leo’s worked their way forward with Tom Sprott and Webbo making the hard yards with Thommo and Scotty doing the clearing. However Scunthorpe managed to secure some possession and space to work a try out wide that went unconverted. The backs were getting in on the act with Andrew B and Si W adding some pace and direction but it was the behemoth that is Thommo who crashed over after some ferocious forward assaults. Scotty added the extras and at 7-8 the visitors knew they were in for a tough afternoon. The half finished with a dubious score from the visitors following a somewhat lateral approach to a ruck and the teams caught their breath with the score at 7-13.
James Poll was added to the pack and Kinga to the backs as Leo’s set about the challenge of overcoming the odds. Early pressure came from the visitors who maintained their professional approach by putting over an early three-pointer, once again showing deference to the home defence. Back came Leo’s, galvanised by Gav and supported by the bullocking forward runs of Thommo, Polly, Webbo and Tom. The latter two worked a move to send Webbo over and Scotty brought the home side to within 2 points of an upset. Leo’s then set about their guests with application, venom and power to apply pressure and create chances that just wouldn’t turn into points. The backs couldn’t find the spaces, Billy’s runs from deep were thwarted and the forwards battered themselves to exhaustion as the visitors held firm. Leo’s luck reached its nadir with a clumsy clearance from Scunthorpe that bounced wickedly and allowed a chaser to career up field. Cover tackles were made but there was too much space and a try was conceded, stretching the gap to 7. With spirit and belief in abundance Leo’s piled in once again for a frantic last five minutes in search of a try. The forwards drove the ball into the 22 and in support Gav twisted and turned, dived for the line, but was let down by his little dinosaur arms and couldn’t stretch enough to touch down.
A dramatic game featuring an impressive performance from the gallant Leo’s ultimately came down to the tiniest of margins but Leo’s have restored pride to a disjointed season and look ahead to the final furlong with renewed vigour.
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.