Yorkshire Carnegie
More Magic at the Madejski?
Illusionist?
By Zan
October 4 2010
I was one of the lucky few who made the journey down to Reading last season and witnessed a resurgent Leeds Carnegie pull off one of the results of the season. Could we do it again? So, there we were, the loyal/optimistic/deluded* (* delete where applicable) thirteen at the Madejski waiting for some Carnegie magic!
The day started well, the Guinness in The Three Guineas went down very well and the Irish fans were, as usual, brilliant. Injuries are again dictating team selection. Also it looked at first sight that maybe Kiwi and Backy had read some of the ramblings on the MB and had taken extreme steps in a bid to get our first win! Some may not agree but I think that using Big Mac at full back and Shrek as scrum half was sheer genius!
So, the game kicked off and with the sounds of ‘The Fields of Athenry’ still echoing around the stadium, Leeds were penalised at the scrum. Thankfully, young Ryan Lamb left his kicking boots at home and missed his first two kicks meaning it was 20 minutes before Irish put points on the board with a penalty. Up to that point we had competed with the forwards playing well and Tinkerbell looking good.
Just as we were ruing our optimism, CT breaks and scores for a Carnegie try that he converts to make it 3 – 7! London Irish were mortal and we were up for it! We were still celebrating our success when after some good forwards’ play on their 22, DP goes down and stays down with a rib injury. Annie is more than a capable replacement and the game continues. After more Irish pressure, the ref plays Irish advantage for what seems like an age, just what is the rule here? Eventually he brings play back and Lamb adds another three with the penalty, 6-7 after 27 minutes.
Good work by Steps give Leeds a penalty, although it is a long way out, CT misses. Yet more contentious decisions by the ref and the ball is back with Irish, Leeds defend well but lose Shrek to a yellow card with six minutes left of the half. More Irish pressure and although the Leeds defence are starting to look like the defence of old, James Buckland sneaks in for a converted try, 13 – 7.
Just before half time, we lose Wine Gums, replaced by San Miguel and as predicted, our seven man scrum is penalised and Lamb converts the ensuing penalty, so we go in 16 – 7 down at half time.
The start of the second half and Leeds hit the ground running and are in the Irish 22 in no time. A rousing chant of ‘Leeds, Leeds, Leeds’ is brought to a sudden stop by a Nazi, sorry, Steward who tells us to, ‘sit down’! Apparently we are preventing the four Irish fans sat four rows behind us in a half empty stadium from seeing the game, $*&@! Just what is it with Stewards at the Madejski? Ask Haxby!
Although still being constantly penalised, Leeds are digging out blind and are unlucky not to get a try, We are awarded a penalty and the luck of the Irish must be with us as CT’s attempt hits the posts and goes through, 16 – 10. Our sheer grit, commitment and passion is evident by the mass ‘handbags’ that occurs on 54 minutes, Irish get the decision and Lamb converts, 19 – 10. CT’s try saving tackle keeps Leeds in the game, however after more Irish pressure Leeds concede to a Sailosi try(not even trying with the surname!) and Lamb converts, 26 – 10. George Stowers adds another, 33-10.
In stark contrast to Welford Road-gate, Leeds keep fighting and reply with a converted try from Shrek, 33-10. With 8 minutes left, Rhys sees yellow, and with only 14 on the pitch, Sailosi scores another try, duly converted by Lamb. 40-17. Heads still do not go down and Luther scores a consolation with Vinyl converting. Final score, 40 – 24.
So, what can we take from the game? We didn’t give up, we kept fighting and we scored three tries against Irish. Tinkerbell, DP, Shrek, Titts (snigger) all played well. Ok we lost, and MUST address the penalty situation with a referee. A 26 – 5 penalty count is NOT acceptable and doesn’t help our cause. The general consensus from Irish fans is we will be staying in the AP.
One final note, as I sat on the bus going back into Reading singing ‘Cockles and Muscles’ with the Irish fans, I wondered what it would be like to have this type of set up and fan base at Headingley? If we can only have some success, the crowds will come and maybe we too can have a ‘Craic’ like this! A great day out, thanks Irish.
No Magic this time, but he has packed his bags and is thumbing a lift to Headingley Carnegie Stadium as we speak, trust me!
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04/10/2010 19:29
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There were lots of good points to be taken from that game.
Not least that we scored 3 tries, we didn't give up, kept fighting and players who excelled last year, Marco, Shrek, Titts are all starting to find their form.
There is still alot that needs doing however but there is plenty of time to do it!
Come on you Tykes!
Zandra YaPoI
YaPoI - Yorkshire and Proud of It
'proficiscor in una'
Suffering on the Leeds and Yorkshire roller-coaster since 2001
Mind you the commentary team were constantly mentioning how the ref appeared to be penalising Leeds yet Oirish are doing the same things and not getting pinged.
A 25-6 penalty count doesn't appear right to me, any good ref would have been having words about discipline never mind just going to his pocket for a yellow.
I wonder what Ed Morrison (the ref assessor) made of Mr Garner's performance? He'll probably be reffing in the Championship next week.
[www.arborfieldoldboys.co.uk]
The lads showed a great deal of passion and as you said never gave up, I felt they even stepped it up a gear when Marco lost the plot and piled in the Irish followed by most of the team.
You could also feel the disappointment from where we were when the Ref chose not to restart the game with 20 seconds to go as the Leeds lads seemed to think there was still time for a try bonus point.
My only disappointment was after 80 plus mins of cheering shouting abusing the ref and Jumping up and down upsetting the Stewards (Zan) and despite a numbers of Yellow hats waving from block Y the Leeds team failed to acknowledge us or even a wave in our direction.
A Little Disappointing!
However, Ryan Lamb and Delon Armitage signed my Rugby for Heroes calendar so not all bad!
Zandra YaPoI
YaPoI - Yorkshire and Proud of It
'proficiscor in una'
Had the ref's decisions been fair to both sides the result could have been different. We were as good as Irish and caused them a lot of problems. As Zan has picked up how long does advantage last? On the incident mentioned in the report some 10 meters or so were gained by Irish after several phases of play! Also can a team be penalized for breathing near the ball. On Saturday it, at times, it felt as if we were!
Miserati - and Proud to be!
truly baffling, and not a little annoying. not least because it makes me look daft.
Some of the players were also at a loss as to what was going on, the looks of confusion on their faces bore testament to that.
Something is not right, somewhere. Yeah, maybe we need to sort out our discipline in certain areas, but there do seem to be alot of very harsh refereeing decisions going against us.
Zandra YaPoI
YaPoI - Yorkshire and Proud of It
'proficiscor in una'
Maybe the game's changed since NB played ??
Quote:Aviva Premiership referees promise crackdown on litany of offencesOne last point. Let’s have referees explain their decisions in public after a match. They are accountable on a Monday morning to Morrison, who then confers with disgruntled directors of rugby. Well, what about the paying public? Don’t they have a right to know? Yes, they do. Referees do not have to be cross-examined by the press but they ought to state their reasons behind a decision. That way, we will all be happy.
won't happen though.
