Yorkshire Carnegie
Saints Edge Headingley Thriller
Smyler
By Martyn Horwell
April 6 2010
It took a try 3 minutes from the end from the games outstanding player, Ben Foden, to condemn Leeds Carnegie to a narrow defeat at Headingley, but they can take heart from another excellent display, and taking another losing bonus point in their quest for GP safety.
With both sides needing points for various reasons, it was not unreasonable to expect a cautious cat and mouse type of game, but from the minute Alfie To’oala collected the kick off and bundled a big Saints forward out of the way, it was anything but. Leeds had the early pressure but were stopped by a knock on. Then Saints pressed, and when MacDonald charged down a clearing kick Leeds attacked again, but they lost the ball, and suddenly Saints were in Leeds 22. When Mr. White, (who played his part in making the game flow), and his colleagues with the white sticks, missed a blatant forward pass, Saints pressed again, and when Leeds were penalised for taking too long over throwing in, Myall took the law into his own hands and with only 5 minutes on the clock, he was sent for a 10 minute rest. Those close to the scene of the crime considered he may have been lucky not to see red. However Myler slotted over the penalty, and Saints were in the lead. With Leeds a man short and Saints pressing it was a surprise when Myler tried a drop goal on 13 minutes, but that went wide, as did another penalty attempt on 25 minutes.
Leeds were having to defend, but when Mathie put in a box kick from near his own line, Fa’afili collected and stepped inside to crate space, but Myall spilled his pass and an opportunity to break free was lost.
The game was flowing as both sides strove for the ascendency, but neither could break some excellent defending from both sides. Something had to give, and when it did the home crowd went wild. Leeds had been pressing through a number of phases, and after constant probing, Juan Gomez buried his way under the defence for a try. Thomas converted, and Leeds led by 7 points to 3.
Fourie, Fa’afili and Myall then made inroads, but Leeds knocked on, and Saints won another penalty when Fourie clattered Dickson at the back of a scrum. Saints now piled on the pressure, and a long Leeds throw in their own 22 could have been disastrous but for Myall collecting and allowing Thomas to clear to touch.
Both sides attacked, and both made mistakes, but it was terrific to watch, and I think even the crowd were pleased to get their breath when Sir signalled half time.
Saints reduced the gap 5 minutes into the second half, when Leeds were penalised for handling in the scrum, and from 35 yards Myler slotted his kick between the posts.
Leeds came straight back, and when they were awarded a penalty some 40 yards out close to the touchline, Thomas’ kick drifted wide, but Leeds still held a one point lead.
The game was absorbing, with any result still possible as both sides attacked in turn. On 62 minutes, Leeds replaced Gomez, Titterell, (who had another fine game), and Myall, and for the next few minutes, Leeds struggled to keep their momentum going. Leeds conceded a kickable penalty, but amazingly, (or arrogantly), Saints chose to run the ball, and Leeds held firm. The hosts now had to defend in depth, but a great piece of defence, and a 40 yard clearing kick by Rabeni relieved the pressure. The clock was ticking down, but with only 5 minutes remaining, Swainston dived over the top of a ruck, and from in front of the posts, Myler put the visitors back in the lead. Bedford and Ford replaced Mathie and Thomas, and Leeds again conceded any advantage when the restart failed to go ten yards. Leeds though attacked again, and had a promising position with a line out on the Saints 22, only for the ref to decide our throw wasn’t straight and the advantage had gone. Play returned to the Leeds half, and with only three minutes remaining, Saints got the try that was to win them the game. A cross field kick was taken by Reihana, and despite the attention of Lee Blackett, Reihana sent a perfect grubber kick to the Leeds line, where Foden gleefully touched down. Myler’s conversion attempt was adjudged to have gone wide, (not from where we were sat), and that completed the scoring. It had been a thoroughly entertaining game, and on reflection Saints probably just about deserved their win. However, Leeds fought for everything, and their bonus point, was more than deserved.
There were a number of outstanding performances today, but my MoM goes to Alfie To’oala. He set the tone early on, made some crunching tackles, and carried the ball well. If we can play like this for the next four games we will be o.k. Saints are not second in the league for nothing, and today, I think, they got a bit of a fright.
The crowd of 5,724 were very well entertained, and I hope all the Saints fans had a safe journey home. We look forward to seeing you next season.
Digg
Delicious
Facebook
Reddit
Stumbleupon
06/04/2010 22:37
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
Zandra YaPoI
YaPoI - Yorkshire and Proud of It
'proficiscor in una'
It's inconceivable that you should drop out of the top tier: we shall hope to play again next season - in the Premiership...
*I could agree with you - but then we'd both be wrong...*
Pain is only temporary but victory is forever
WHATEVER IT TAKES
