8 Wonders of Leo’s Stand Up to be Counted

We travelled so as not to let down Selby, and in the hope of some sort of game of social rugby. We didn't travel in vain.
Rio somehow got lost, dancing on the sand somewhere perhaps. Scotty had already entered into early negotiations with England International Ray Adamson and as the anxious eight kitted up 6 stout Selby yeoman processed in and a pack was formed and a game devised. Leo’s lined up one short, in the backs, and with 2 Leo’s (Stalwart Scotty and Magnificent Murphy) making up the pack of 6 guests.
Carl assumed the scrumhalf mantle, which he wore with honour, a position where he causes less self inflicted harm than anywhere else in the backs. Newnsy returned to stand-off with Kenroy and Phil the Power in the centres and Billy and Chris Fan sharing the back three roles. The packs set about a competitive forward contest as the guests were in no mood to give their own side an easy afternoon. After some early skirmishes Carl took a quick tap on the halfway, crabbed until the home side got bored and slipped through a gap to scamper the 40 or so yards to open the scoring. The pack worked hard for possession and made good hard yards with the guests driving in and the visiting pair of Scotty and Murphy clearing and recycling for the backs. In an open and fast game Newnsy kept the backs involved as Kenroy bludgeoned, Phil powered and Chris danced as territory was gained at every opportunity. Finally the pressure told and despite playing a man short Leo’s extended their lead to 14-0 with a guest barging over. Selby hit back and looked to get the ball wide as quickly as possible to stretch the fourteen. Superb scrambling defence from Chris, Billy and any number of supporting Leo’s kept Selby out until the extra man counted, twice and the teams turned round at 10-14 to the exhausted but proud visitors.
All six guests committed themselves to the cause for the second half which began with two quick tries, one to each side and an injury to a Selby forward that caused him to leave the field and the personnel all square. There followed a second half of fast, frantic and not unduly skill free rugby of the most entertaining and almost completely sporting nature. Both sides ran from deep, defences threw themselves into the fray, turnovers were won and conceded and tries were run in a-plenty. The Leo’s vanguard worked territory and space for Chris and Carl to add more tries, and a completed hat-trick for the Gay Impetuoso, before Selby hit back with scores of their own from some youthful back play. A fractious ruck resulted in JP Murphy receiving a hook to the jaw, the only piece of foul play, if you don’t count Selby Wurzel’s nefarious activity at the breakdown! Scotty shouted very loudly at JP’s assailant, which seemed to do the trick. Further Leo’s tries came from hard running Kenroy who stretched over to finish of a barnstorming run, and both Phil and Billy. Selby scored again but the result was never really in doubt once the Leo’s backs took control in the free flowing second half.
In the kicking duel Scotty’s small footed 89% success rate put England’s Ray Adamson’s 40% in the shade, adding a bit of extra gloss to the score-line. Carl nicely completed his stint as captain with the most disorganised and incomprehensible “Three Cheers” in living memory as the weary warriors trooped off.
Hand-shakes all round, beer shared, and some jovial banter followed, with two guests even joining Leo’s in the Crown (Monk Fryston) on the way home. A massive thank you to Selby, whose view that 29 players sharing 90 points in a sporting social rugby encounter is paramount, and also to the 6 guests. Once again rugby was the winner, and when it is played in this spirit, with heart and endeavour from a gallant few Leo’s why wouldn’t you want to be part of it? Well, why wouldn’t you?

Next week it’s a home game against Wharfedale. You know what you’re missing!