Painful, Pointless and Contemptible

Few of those who travelled to Selby last April will forget the hammering received, on their big pitch in front of a paying crowd. (Gabes, we still haven’t forgotten!). However plans had been made for the under strength Leo’s 4th XIII to take on the mixed bag of Hegian’s “3rds” while the full strength Leo’s 3rd XV would take on the full strength, well organised Veterans, rather than the team they whupped the previous week. That Roundhegians refused to honour this sensible agreement for two competitive games is something of which, no doubt, they’ll be very proud when they consider their (un)sporting triumphs of the season.
The non-contest that followed could make some players, both young and old consider why they bother and turn their backs on the game. While no blame at all can be laid at the feet of The Portly Magician more care needs to be taken, and more sporting opponents found, if Leo’s are to continue putting out four teams on a regular basis.
Leo’s lined up with no recognised half backs and only one experienced centre. The pack was more appropriate but the scrums were thankfully passive. With Scotty and JP renewing their axis of incompetence at nine and 10 it was likely to be a challenging afternoon. It was made all the worse when Scotty was brutally (and illegally?) cleared out at a ruck and received a debilitating rib injury. With the likelihood of any of his passes reaching JP in a less than circuitous manner reduced further JP bravely took on all manner of wayward service in a difficult afternoon. The visitors ran in tries at will in the first quarter as they proved their obvious superiority. Kinga limped off injured and angry, to be replaced by another guest who himself left the field at half time. The pack fronted up in the pick and drives as Scotty roared them on and then passed erratically to the backs. Thommo and Si H were imperious whilst CJs lineout possession was priceless. The backs were generally under a very large cosh all afternoon but managed one breakaway try from Ben H who was a thorn in the visitor’s side all afternoon.
It was more of the same after the break. Scotty tried a couple of box kicks to release Dom’s speed but to no avail. JP stuck to his “run it back inside to the forwards” plan where the pack bravely recycled and tried to stem the tide. Billy ran in with pace from fullback and was driven forward for some good extra mauled yards as Scotty spanked the pushing packs arses in encouragement. The visitor’s scrum half realised he was in for an easy game and brought out all his interfering tricks to make JPs reception duties even more dangerous. Ben H made another break and was pulled back. In the ensuing melee a punch was thrown and Hegians lost a player for the rest of the game. More tries were conceded before JP Murphy broke free and scored as wide out as possible even though he wasn’t under and chasing pressure. Ignoring the “Last Try Wins” rule the Fozaree let the visitors complete the hollowest of victories, of which King Pyrrhus of Epirus would have been proud with a final try before the battered Leo’s were allowed to limp off into the sunshine to lick their wounds.