Round about two and a half hours later (why exactly does the 8:05 train get to London before the 7:40?), we are at Kings Cross. It takes a few moments to locate one of the tube lines that is actually running this weekend, and then we are off round to Hammersmith, to the excellent Brook Green Hotel, our billet for the weekend.

A swift pint of Youngs is consumed there, bags are dumped, and it's back to the tube for the trip to Richmond. Once there, over the road to the Orange Tree, which is already packed with the travelling Tykes faithful. A few more beers are had here, while the travelling fans discuss the game ahead. We are quietly confident of victory, but the general view is that the bonus point might be asking a bit much. We are pleased to learn that the team bus is
nearby, especially as it contain's Dragon's match ticket.

It is a long walk of perhaps a quarter of a mile from the Orange Tree to Old Deer Park, so the journey is broken at the Shaftesbury Arms. Here are more Tykes, along with folks from Welsh and also London Scottish, who are also at home today.

Leaving the Shaftesbury, Old Deer Park is now a manageable walk. Excitement mounts as we get our first view of the pagoda in Kew Gardens, which is something of a feature at the ground. Old Deer Park includes a cricket ground and tennis courts (the latter replete with slightly confused looking tennis players of an advanced age), so the club house is some distance from the pitch. Welsh have obviously recognised the problems this brings, so we were pleased to note a new beer tent, conveniently located on the touch line.

Beers in hand, the large group of Tykes massed in front of the club house are fortified with Welsh Cakes, the quality of which contributes to a special cheer for Hints after the warm up. Then it's off to secure a decent spot at the side of the pitch to await the commencement of hostilities. Accomodation is basic, so the shorter Tykes followers are ushered to the front.

A reasonable enclave of the Tykes supporters is gathered at half way. Some towards the front are sceptical of our chances, but later arrivals (who have probably had a couple more glasses of beer than their colleagues) are more confident. A rousing cheer is managed as the Tykes run out.

Immediately, the enclave spots a problem. Where is the Carnegie Challenger? How can we motivate ourselves to support the team without the Challenger? The presence of two police officers (Welsh) leads to suggestions that the Challenger may be in hiding, but the good officers seem more interested in the hog roast than in apprehending embarassing mascots.

We start with Hints at full back, Sparky and Biggsy on the wings, Heps and Wheels in the centres, and the good Doctor and the Shark at half back. The front row is Big Mac, Rawlo and the Bear, with Penders and Little Murph in the second row. Shrek, JD and Annie make up the back row. To our disappointment, Welsh have not picked Rocky, who is on water carrying duty. Welsh do feature a somewhat corpulent hooker, and we look forward to his meeting Fosi.

Leeds were up and at Welsh from the start, attacking the pagoda end, and the early pressure was rewarded with a penalty from the Doc after 3 minutes. Welsh tried to attack from the restart, but solid defence (with the back row to the fore) and the Doctor's boot kept them at bay. Leeds gradually gained the upper hand and on 16 minutes, some good work down the left by Biggsy put Hints over, with the Doc adding the extras. Things were looking good.

Welsh again tried to come back, but it must have felt as if they were attacking a brick wall. On 24 minutes, Fosi decided to have a bit of a run and, as Welsh players bounced off in all directions, aided by Annie, he fed Shrek for the try. The Doc slotted the extras as usual.

17-0 and looking good. Even the sceptics were now starting to look a little bit confident. Welsh tried valiantly for the rest of the half, but there really was no way through. The Doc missed a penalty on the stroke of half time, perhaps giving Welsh a glimmer of hope, but it was a confident set of Tykes who went off in search of half time refreshment.

After suitable refreshment, the teams were out for the second half. Leeds now had the pagoda at their backs and were quickly into their stride again. Some good work by the back row and a fine kick through from the Doc led to Wheels grounding the ball for a score after just 4 minutes. By now, it does not need to be added that the good Doctor slotted the kick to make it 24-0.

With 50 minutes gone it was time to use the bench. First, Country came on for JD, and spent the next half hour showing that he certainly can play blindside. Soon after his introduction, the Welsh pack finally caved in in the face of some relentless pressure from the Leeds pack and the referee awarded a penalty try. Doc, conversion, you've got the idea by now, 31-0.

More substitutions followed 20 minutes into the half, with Bedford on for Mathie and Tommy on for Fosi (to the latter's obvious relief). Everyone ended up getting a game, with Jaffa replacing Biggsy, Henry for Wheels, Dennis for Rawlo and Vicks for the Doc. The Doc appeared to be injured and was down for some time.

To their credit, Welsh never gave in and kept on trying to cross the Leeds line. They turned down a couple of kickable penalties in search of a try, but the Leeds defence held firm. Finally, in the last minute, Leeds broke through and a move that went pretty much the length of the pitch saw Jaffa (a nickname devised in the Orange Tree some hours earlier) go over near the sticks. The Doc was off by now, so Hints kicked the extras and the ref decided that enough was enough. The unfinished business was well and truly
finished.

The preceding review (and thanks are due to the rest of the enclave for generous advice and contributions) has made no mention at all of any controversial decisions made by the ref.  Let's record, then, that Mr Garner had an excellent game. He was easily the best whistle-blower we've had in this league, and a lot better than many we've had in the Premiership. Good on
him!

Back in the club house the view from the Tykes followers was that this was easily the best performance by a Leeds team this season, and quite possibly better than any last season too. Welsh supporters were generous in defeat and quite clear that Leeds were the best team they had faced all season. Even DartagnanTyke, a man known to complain about any result, admitted that he could not find fault.

The main injury worry was the Doc, but a roving reporter accosted him after the game and discovered that he seemed to have suffered nothing more than a poke in the eye. Vicks was limping and had a bloodied knee, but appeared to be in reasonable health.

So, then more beers were comsumed with our Welsh hosts. Tykes fans were pleasantly surprised that there was no additional charge to enter the bar at the end of the game. There was plenty of time to congratulate the players and offer them isotonic beverages.

Televisions were tuned to the Grand Final, and some of the more outgoing Tykes attempted to explain Rugby League to the Welsh. They didn't really get it.

As we left, the only downside was that if we do succeed in gaining promotion it'll be at least two years before we can come back to Welsh. It's a great place, a great club, and a great place to spend a Saturday.

Up the Tykes!

Leeds Tykes: Hinton; Welding, Hepworth, Barrow, Biggs; di Bernado, Mathie; MacDonald, Rawlinson, Palaamo; Pendlebury, Murphy; Dunbar, Fourie, Oakley.
Subs: Myall for Dunbar (50), Bedford for Mathie (60), McGee for Palaamo (62), Goodridge for Biggs (67), Paul for Barrow (67), Nilsen for Rawlinson (69),Vickerman for di Bernado (69).

Tries: Hinton, Fourie, Barrow, Penalty, Goodridge.
Penalty: di Bernado
Conversions; di Bernado (4), Hinton.

Bookmark or share this story with:

• Digg
• Delicious
• Facebook
• Reddit
• Stumbleupon

SPORTNETWORK SPECIALS