Muddied Glory for the Travelling Entertainers

In the shadow of the impressive new clubhouse and stand, from where Leo’s trio of supporters sheltered and viewed the unfolding spectacle, 16 gallant but chilly Leo’s wound themselves up for 80 minutes rugby which would define the levels of fun to be experienced afterwards.
CJ lost the toss and Leo’s kicked off into the wind and torrential rain. The forwards began with some steady drives as both sides cautiously assessed possibilities in the difficult conditions. The backs however had other ideas and with Chris Fan pulling the strings at scrum half some swift ball created openings for the blossoming centre partnership of GI Joe and Phil the Power to batter holes in the home defence. On the back foot, Ilkley transgressed and Blakey kicked for the corner. A catch from the almost perfect 2-ball combo of Gav and Tom and a drive from the willing forwards set up a lung bursting bosh-tastic trundle from Cadgey who crashed over from at least 9 yards. Scotty stabbed the extras over in turbulent conditions and Ilkley, unbeaten in the league, were looking shocked and awed. The expected response was swift as the home sides backs worked possession with pace but the Leo’s defence was tighter than Jimmy Gribbon’s sporran as Telfer and Billy made telling tackles and the threats were subdued with excellent scrambling defensive support from both forwards and backs alike. Gareth added some weighty wing play and the back row of Cranners, Goff and CJ were supporting at every opportunity. With Dr Goff clinical at the lineouts extra power was added by Scotty and Newnsy as the Leo’s juggernaut was cranked up once again. Difficult conditions meant that it struggled to get out of second gear but it was resolute in its transportation of the valuable leather cargo. Ilkley were restricted to a few scampering breaks and booming kicks but were unable to compete in the line-outs and with greedy Gav snaffling a few “against the heads” Leo’s turned round very much in the ascendancy with the faint aroma of victory in their nostrils.
At the break the sensible amongst the panting players requested a more conservative approach to the second half; i.e. boot it into the corners, off the pitch, over the new stand/clubhouse, but preferably not running with ball in hand. This agreement was immediately ignored as Blakey spotted that the home sides back three were wise to this plan, and our erratic kicking, and were positioned to return any wayward kicks with speed. The backs therefore embarked on Plan C for Centre. GI Joe and Phil the Power carried the ball time and again into the heart of the Ilkley defence, driving on while support materialised in the varied shapes of forwards and backs. Scotty, Jimmy and Newnsy were on clearing duty, Cadgey and the back row offered variety paced crash running and the backs realigned for near faultless repetitious play. Chris Fan limped off to be replaced by Rhett and a reshuffle moved Cranners to scrum half and Newnsy to back row. Rhett settled in to the Vintage engine room, (combined age 107), for some mature blocking and carrying. Now with effectively four back rowers driving off the mauls Leo’s upped the pressure on Ilkley who responded with two scorable chances that were brilliantly thwarted by the never say die visitors. When they resorted to the boot Billy ran possession back with interest and the juggernaut pack kept momentum.
With 20 minutes to go and the score still 7-0 Ilkley released their final half dozen rolling subs and the exhausted Leo’s drew in yet another big breath. The packs battled themselves to almost a standstill in the cloying mud as slower yards were earned. The backs joined rucks and mauls to secure pressure ball and extra energy was found somewhere. With 8 minutes to go the pack drove in again, quick ball found Blakey who used supporting Telfer as a distraction to score out wide. After Gav was dragged off, and replaced by the Ilkley skipper, Scotty sliced the extras wide and Leo’s set about defending their 12 point advantage. This they did with more of the same. Ilkley's generous guest hooker kept finding Tom in the line and the final minutes were ground out for Leo’s to collapse in victorious exhaustion.
The game was played in excellent spirit and Leo’s were worthy winners, inflicting the home side’s first Merit League defeat, and playing some tremendous rugby in the process. After a welcoming hot shower The Circus came to town and an evening of alcohol fuelled frivolity followed, with thanks to Ilkley for their sportsmanship, hospitality, and tremendous new facilities. It must be noted that Leo’s also won the boatrace despite Ilkley sneaking a 2nd team ringer into their eight! The victorious Leo’s Circus Eight were: The Magician, The Crocodile, The Ringmaster, The Strongman, The Bearded Lady, The Rocket Man, and The Pierrot, I think.