Irish suffer a Hydeing.

Irish 12-16 Leeds

This is more a commentary than a report, so pass the Red Bull.

Leeds kicked off the match towards the south stand, Michael Horak caught the high ball and Barry Everitt’s clearing kick falls inside the Leeds half, Phil Murphy breaks from the ruck, passes to Justin Bishop then Irish are awarded a penalty on the 22 metre line. Barry calmly kicks 3 points on 2 minutes. Irish 3-0 Leeds.

After the restart Irish gain possession and put pressure on Leeds who managed to get the ball and clear to touch 15 metres inside the Irish half. From the Irish lineout won by Nick Kennedy, Barry kicks to touch deep inside the Leeds half. Leeds win their lineout the ball goes loose and captain Kieron Dawson dives on the ball only to get injured in the ensuing ruck. Irish are doomed! From this point on we looked a weaker side.

Kieran Roche replaced Dawson and Neal Hatley becomes captain. Play continues, Leeds push up field and are awarded a penalty for an offside Irish player. Gordon Ross kicks to touch, then from the Leeds lineout Irish are penalised for pulling. Ross chooses a penalty kick from 15 metres out and on 10 minutes the scores are level 3-3.

From the restart Irish take a lineout in their half, Leeds win then loose possession, but Irish knock on. The scrum for Leeds is turned by the Irish pack, we lose possession (this becomes a familiar story) but from Leeds’ put-in their front row are penalised for not binding. Barry clears from Paul Hodgson’s pass into Leeds territory, the ball goes out of play for an Irish lineout, the subsequent drive is stopped but Leeds are penalised for being offside, but I’m sure Dan Hyde came into the ruck from the side. Irish are awarded a penalty kick from 20 metres out close to the west stand touchline. Barry kicks Irish back into the lead on 16 minutes. It’s a conservative game-plan so far.

Irish collect from the restart, Bob Casey drives a maul, but Leeds are given a scrum, the Referee Sean Davey has made some strange decisions so far. Leeds break from the scrum, number 11 Tom Biggs was nearly in for a try but desperate defence by Delon Armitage pushes Biggs into touch metres from the whitewash. From the Irish lineout Barry needed to clear and find touch that takes play well inside the Leeds half near the EastieBeastie Band. Rob Hardwick collects the ball from a disrupted Leeds lineout and barges his way deeper into their half. A ruck forms around the oldest prop in the Premiership, then Barry’s kick finds touch some metres from the Leeds try line. Their lineout is won and Ross clears with a garryowen, unfortunately Horak looses his catch in the tackle. It’s a scrum to Leeds. 20 minutes gone and the rain starts in earnest; or is it eric?

A penalty is awarded to Leeds in the centre of the field. It’s a long way out and the ball falls short. Horak clears to the Irish 15 metre line but Leeds’ lineout doesn’t’ go their way so Michael Catt clears Irish lines to Leeds 30 metre line on the West. Irish win the lineout from Leeds, Barry kicks for a penalty from a Leeds knock on but hits the crossbar, Justin Bishop collects the ball and runs straight towards the try line to get tacked but manages to pass to Horak who is bundled into touch just under the drummers gallery. Leeds kick clear from the lineout, Horak collects, kicks on but Tim Stimpson calls a mark.

Stimpson kicks to touch deep into the Irish half, the lineout is won yet again by young Kennedy, the Irish pack drive on which collapses into a ruck for Barry to kick cross field for the backs to run onto. We knock on! eeds scrum. Leeds are awarded a penalty, Irish were not binding. The first signs of anger from the East Stand crowd, the referee isn’t popular. His touch judges missed or preferred not to see infringements that make the smallish crowd more restless.

On 35 minutes Ross again missed a penalty, sliced it wide, someone comments “That’s why Irish will win this game”. Play resumes, Leeds have the advantage from another Irish knock on. Ross kicks across the field, collected by the line-breaking centre Chris Bell. Paul Hodgson produces a try saving tackle. From a Leeds lineout deep in the Irish half, they drive their maul but knock on. Advantage Irish. Catt kicks to ½ way. Leeds have a lineout, Irish get a scrum put-in (I cant make out this ref). Leeds gather possession, running into the Irish half, Dan Hyde scoops the ball up and is over the try line; the Ref signals a score. The booing East Stand crowd tell a different story. Hyde slid over on his right shoulder, the ball slipped forwards out of his grasp without a hint of downward pressure! The conversion makes the halftime score Irish 6-10 Leeds.

The second half starts with a warm welcome for the Referee as he emerges from the tunnel. Barry starts play, a game of kicking ping-pong develops ending in a lineout for Irish on the ½ way line. Leeds get the ball and are awarded a scrum, they knock forward but the referee doesn’t see it.

They kick to the Irish 22 metre line on the West. They steal the ball from the Irish lineout and are awarded a penalty for an Irish player holding on (Horak I think). Ross duly punishes Irish and the score at 45 minutes is 6-13. This changes within minutes as Barry kicks back from the Leeds 22 for 9-13 as Leeds go in on the side of a ruck.

Catt clears from the restart, Ross finds touch inside the Irish half, Ryan Strudwick replaces Roche on 50 minutes. From a Leeds lineout deep in their half Irish gain possession through Bish who nearly on the try line passes to Horak who is wrapped up by a stern Leeds defence.

Irish are now looking desperate in defence as the next Leeds attack forces the backs to use basketball passes to clear their lines. It’s a muddled defence. On 60 minutes again we are in a defensive muddle, clearing desperately from behind our try line. From the Leeds lineout they are awarded a penalty for an Irish infringement, Ross keeps Leeds ticking over with a drop goal. It’s now Irish 9-16 Leeds, and we don’t look like scoring tries, whereas Leeds’ centres are constantly breaking the Irish defensive line.

Substitution for Leeds, Alix Popham off for Colm Rigney at No8.From a Irish lineout Leeds give us hope as they gift a penalty kick for pulling. Barry is on the case from 25 metres, the score a close 12-16 for Leeds.

Leeds attack again with a chip ahead luckily for Bish to secure a try saving tackle in the 72^nd minute. Nils Mordt replaces Horak and Scott Morgan replaces Chris Murphy for Leeds. Irish have a scrum on top of the Leeds try line, we loose possession (woe is the crowd). Leeds clear then gain possession from Irish in our half, Ross’ attempted drop-goal fails to dishearten the men in green.

On the 79^th minute Phil Murphy drives close to the try line. Irish are awarded the first of half a dozen scrums just in front of the Leeds posts. First Rigney then Hyde are sin-binned for constant infringements. 2 yellows in 2 minutes.

Mark Regan is showing the crowd what career he intends to pursue after rugby. Acting! His constant feigning of injury is getting tiresome.

Leeds turn our second scrum! Their pack are desperate to keep us out. Their put in, we push them over. It’s now an Irish scrum.

Surely we must score a try from this position of strength! But the Irish pack knock on and it’s scrum down to Leeds (4^rd scrum of 6 – I feel sorry for that patch of grass) It’s another Irish scrum on 85 minutes, the last play of the game. We knock on and all is lost.

The final whistle of the game finds Mark Regan dancing a gig with a fellow Tyke.

Summary

Did Irish deserve to win, no.

Did the referee have a bad game, yes.

Leeds deserved their win however hard-done by Irish players and supporters may feel.

Will Regan win an Oscar? Who knows.

Teams

Irish:  Horak Armitage Appleford Catt Bishop Everitt Hodgson Hatley Russell Hardwick Kennedy Casey Danaher Dawson (capt) Murphy.

Tykes: Stimpson Rees Bell Snyman Biggs Ross McMillan Shelley Regan KerrC Murphy Hooper (capt) Dunbar Hyde Popham

Referee: S Davey

Bookmark or share this story with:

• Digg
• Delicious
• Facebook
• Reddit
• Stumbleupon

SPORTNETWORK SPECIALS

• Think you know your sport? Click here to try the Sportnetwork Prize Quizzes