By Prawn Cocktail (11/11/2002)
November 11 2002

So it was back on the road again. This time it was Adams Park in High Wycombe, the new home of London Wasps, where the home side had never been beaten. Would our boys play as badly as they had in the first half against Sarries, or would they be the class act seen in the second half?

Pre Match

Adams Park is a pleasant ground at the top of a trading estate leading into a wood-lined valley. It is modern and has a 10,000 capacity with seating on three sides, and standing room on the fourth. The pitch looked magnificent. Apparently, it was re-laid in the summer and has gas powered underground heating. It is simply awaiting a gas supply to be laid. The guy on the tannoy told us the teams. Wasps were as advertised, but Leeds were greatly changed- People swapping positions, Jimmy Ponton in for Dan Hyde, Alix Popham in for Isaac: it was also announced that Diego wearing 11 would be full back and that Dan S would be on the wing even though he was number 15. The changes from the team given in the programme were even more extensive.

First Half

The gallant Leeds lads ran out to the stirring sound of the Emmerdale Farm signature tune. Inspired by this local anthem, Leeds played from the outset like a group of farm labourers, worthy, honest and strong, but lacking variety and inspiration. Early penalties cancelled each other out. Things started to go bad for Leeds when, after 8 minutes, Shane Roiser went over for a nicely worked but unconverted try. After 13 minutes BVS kicked another penalty and we were back in the match at 8-6. Despite this, Leeds got worse and a string of penalties were award to Wasps, three of which were punished by Alex King and a fourth, a long range effort by Kenny Logan, on the stroke of half time, saw Wasps lead 20-6 at the interval. It was entirely deserved and reflected the superiority of the home side, assisted by the nightmare that was being experienced by the Leeds team. We just had not gelled. Diego was having a poor game, BVS was not his usual metronomic self, and the referee seemed to be punishing us over-harshly. The only piece of luck we had had was when Shane Roiser spilled the ball over our line in the 32nd minute. The travelling supporters were left wondering only about the size of the final defeat.

Second Half

After 44 minutes, things got even worse as Phil Greening found Paul Volley who went over for a converted try. 27-6. Four minutes later, now with the wind in his favour, BVS missed another penalty attempt. If ever a match had a defining moment, this was it. Phil Davies, who was looking as though he was about to explode, made wholesale changes to our team. On came Regan, Holt, Hogg, and Dickens; off came Rawlinson, Kerr, Mather, and Hegarty. BVS immediately slotted a penalty, followed by another 3 minutes later (27-12). It was as though Wasps decided simply to protect their lead and a resurgent Leeds team were having none of it. Even Diego started to find great positional kicks; in response, Wasps threw on subs in an effort to match the fresh legs that had been introduced. The home side became negative, and this was their undoing. Mr Goodliffe was getting fed up with the various negative tactics Wasps were using to kill the ball. He spoke to Rob Howley, in his new role as captain, and the general feeling in the Leeds supporters’ camp was that the showing of a yellow card was long overdue. In the 67th minute BVS could by this time scent that something was possible. Instead of kicking for goal, he went for the corner. We won the lineout, a maul ensued, and Ronnie crashed over for his first try in Leeds colours. BVS missed the conversation. 27-20, thirteen minutes left, and all to play for. Wasps went downfield and to try to wrap things up Alex King attempted a drop goal, but missed. After that Wasps found themselves defending their own line, which held despite a couple of penalties. We were running out of time. In the eightieth minute we finally used our backs. From a scrum, George Harder made a small break, the ball came out was moved quickly along, allowing Dan S to shoot over to make it 27-25. BVS still had to kick from the corner, no foregone conclusion given his five misses to date. We need not have worried. Bang, and straight between the posts. 27-27. The ref blew up. Two league points from nowhere.

Post Match

Well what can we make of that?

1. Adams Park is a good ground for rugby.
2. Our lads are FIT. They recognize that you have to keep trying until the 90th minute, if that’s how long the game turns out to be.
3. The Leeds game plan has become too constricted. I know Goggsy was missing but we must try to get the backs going. They are actually quite good.
4. Put Diego back on the wing where he has the confidence to run at players. There were times yesterday when DS and Diego each thought the other was playing full back.
5. Coaches should refrain from making serious allegations until they have reviewed the evidence.
6. Ronnie is a star
7. Shaun Edwards is still ugly, even in a suit.

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What do YOU think of Prawn Cocktail's analysis of Leeds' game? Should Diego play on the wing? Should Ronnie stay on the bench on Saturday, in order to play on Sunday? What are your thoughts on Warren Gatland's comments, and the performance of the Ref? Let us know by posting on the message board!