The Difference, The Power, and The Glory.

In addition to the regular faces there was a welcome return for Jamie and the Mirfield Crew celebrating their leader’s return from New Zealand for a three week trip. Selection by committee arrived at a starting line up and the donation of Cadgey, Nick and Rob to the hosts. CJ lost the toss and Leo’s kicked off down the slope, with the wind behind them.
Securing possession and driving through the forwards presented the backs with decent ball for Blakey to utilise as an early opening was probed for. The Bishop was trying his hand in the pack and his divine interventions at first receiver added impetus to the packs activity as the early stages were contested in the visitors 22. A catch from CJ and a follow up drive controlled by Jamie and Scotty pulled in enough cover for quick ball to move through the backs and Daley scored out wide. With the conditions in their favour Leo’s tried to press home their advantage but were sloppy in execution and chances went begging and possession sacrificed. Hard yards were returned by Cadgey and his enormous twin but Leo’s held firm. A Thommo turnover was exploited by Ron Weazley and CJ in the back row before Jamie Young popped up for Phil the Power to well obviously, power through the defence and score close enough for Scotty to add the extras.
The capacious bench was brought into play as Lovejoy, Daz and Gav joined the fray, allowing tired warriors to rest and recuperate. Birthday boy Jimmy G seethed a little on the sidelines, claiming that at 43 he wasn’t that tired. More pressure from the Leo’s pack pressed Wetherby into their 22 yet again and The Power scored a second, which he had to convert himself as Scotty The Difference was resting his tiny feet. At the break a lead of 19 points was considered a little below par considering the conditions and a tough second half was expected.
Despite the warnings Leo’s sleep walked into the second half and conceded a try immediately. With one time Leo Rory Fffoulkes pulling the strings Wetherby continued to pressure the visitors and scored a second before Leo’s set about a pick and drive territorial war of attrition to stem the tide. Seething Jim returned to the fray along with Kenroy, while Kinga departed with a sore head. Wetherby scored again, although the unsighted referee may have missed a bounced ball, and the seething scot seethed even more. With the scores at 17-19 Leo’s knew they couldn’t defend a two point lead and had to score themselves. The pack was revitalised with Chris The Spa Jayne and Scotty The Difference as slowly but surely Leo’s trundled uphill before releasing the backs, where Mirfield Richard added pace, Blakey supported, and The Power finished off a sweeping move. The Difference, made the difference into the gale and a 9 point lead was set for defending.
The last 12 minutes were of a wagons in a circle style of rugby as Leo’s arranged themselves on their 5 yard line to batter back the Wetherby onslaught. Bodies were hurled in harm’s way as no backward step was taken and every man showed defensive doggedness for the cause. The cadge twins were repulsed time and again from the back of scrums and when the defence was finally breeched it was out wide and once again Fffoulkes Fff~#’’ked up the extras leaving Leo’s with a 4 point little footed difference, and a hard earned victory built on sterling defence and the Power of Phil.