Gallant Leo’s Stung by Swarm of Bees

Scotty’s massivometer was near breaking point and the anemometer had blown off its stand by the accompanying gales. The reluctant Leo’s trooped over the bridge to find that their opponents had already left the hive and were buzzing in anticipation of some energizing rugby.
Without a recognised fulcrum Phil the Power moved in to the role which he fulfilled with aplomb. Outside him Pearl and Dean were employed more for their tackling duties rather than their offensive skills as Leo’s defended against the wind and the enormous home side. The battle for possession was brutal with the Bees bigger, stronger and more experienced than the visitors who had age (Scotty and Rhett) and exuberance (JP, CJ and Kinga) in reply. The front row of Thommo, Gav and Si started solidly but were soon undone by some self inflicted misfortune. The scampering Chris Fan, fitting in at scrum half, was rucked out at a break-down, by Thommo, and had to leave the field. Gav moved out and Guest Mark joined the pack. With the gale behind them the Bees still preferred to keep the ball in hand a batter through the middle. Support runners and unfair backs moves displayed their superior skills but Leo’s were not left wanting in defence. When scarce possession was secure the pick and drives were disciplined and successful as Leo’s worked good territory in the face of solid defence and force 12 winds, with a little additional stinging sleet. Out wide Rio and the returning Fedex had occasional glimpses of space with the ball in hand but the Bees covered well. Eventually the inevitable occurred and the home side worked a good try to leave the Leo’s frustrated at not being able to hold out till the break.
After a quick turn-round to avoid hypothermia and Billy from being blown into the river Leo’s upped the 4th spirit to 80% proof and set about securing an unlikely victory. The breakdowns became more brutal as the referee applied a rather wide gate for the constantly refreshed Bees to plunder. Tackling for their lives Leo’s managed a counter ruck and eventually Dean was given a clean ball and the time to round the home side’s defensive formations. Scotty drifted over the wind assisted extras to level the scores. This stung the Bees into action and they notched up two well worked tries displaying support running and keeping the ball alive of a standard seldom witnessed by the awestruck visitors.
Not disheartened a couple of booming kicks from Gav and scrambling interference from Scotty and the pack made the ground and Greedy Gav paid his dues with a sublime chip, gather and score. Scotty drifted over the conversion and Leo’s had seven minutes to snatch victory. Alas time and energy ran out and the game ebbed away in the driving rain. The Bees tied up possession and Leo’s couldn’t get the final break to secure an unlikely victory.
Battered, bruised, cold, and exhausted Leo’s trooped back The Hive full of pride and looking forward to a revitalised second half of the season