Yorkshire Carnegie
The Enemy Within
Try scorer
By Gelbel
December 5 2011
A small, but beautifully formed, band of lemonheads made their way down the motorways to watch what promised to be an exciting match between the Championship’s table toppers and Leeds who were on a roll and looking for their eighth straight win. But it was not to be. Somehow I had a feeling it was going to be one of those days – I’d got to Sheffield before I was pretty sure I was not wearing my lucky pants (confirmed when I got to Hopwood services) and the scoreboard informed us that Bristol were playing Leed’s. Your reporter was outraged and let everyone know it. It was a good seven minutes into the match before that was fixed and that was the only time I was happy with the scoreboard all afternoon!
There was a couple of changes to the starting line ups for both teams from those declared on Friday – new prop, sporting a rather wonderful mo, Kane Palma-Newport (KPN) in for Mo Mustafa and Goodridge (without a recent visit to the tanning shop) for Bristol. Leeds kicked off but did not collect the ball and after only 30 seconds Bristol were in for a certain intercept try but, somehow, in the chase the ball was knocked on. There followed an almighty punch up as Jason Hobson and Andy Titterrell did their own rumble in the jungle – had Titts asked Hobo for his hat back in an offensive way? Titts, bleeding heavily, was bandaged up on the pitch and that sort of set the tone of the match. It was all very bruising and brutal with lots of afters following some very heavy tackling. Tristan Roberts put the home team ahead with a penalty. 3-0 after 5 minutes.
Next up was Dents and Hobo having a to-do. Leeds lost the line out from the penalty, lost a lot of ground and Thornley was penalised for holding on (it was great being on a box on the half-way line as I had a clear view of who did what, and often to whom). 6-0 after 8 minutes. Rowen took a high catch – but it bounced out and went into touch. The point of me mentioning this was because Hemingway stole the resulting line out – as he did three times in the match. The penalty count was racking up - Walker came in at the side and it was 9-0 after 12 minutes.
Again, Leeds went for the line out when they were awarded a penalty and again they lost it. From my lofty position I could hear the Leeds’ faithful shouting Yorkshire, Yorkshire. The skys opened and it started to drizzle, followed by a hefty down-pour. More woe could’ve been poured on Leeds but Roberts missed a penalty from just inside the Bristol half. Justice I think as Bristol bullied the ref to give them the decision from a fracas in a ruck.
Leeds were awarded a penalty and Bell put it safely away. 9-3 after 28 minutes. The big hits from Bristol started again – Hobo on Titts again but our leader is made of stern stuff and he and KPN were giving back exactly what they received. Bris had a scrum for a knock-on and put a big shove on, Leeds were penalised and it was 12-3 after 33 minutes. Minutes later Dents was off-side in the scrum so it was 15-3 at 38 minutes and at half time.
A nice surprise at the start of the second half – the Bristol number 13 was binned at half time for some misdemeanour. Bell went for the penalty from the half way line but it went slightly wide. He tried to redeem himself from the kick off with a darting break but was pinged for holding on. Leeds started to play without giving penalties away, with Barker putting in a darting run to earn a penalty which Bell put away – 15-6 after 45 minutes. Hobo had another go at Dents with a high tackle that went unnoticed. Bristol were awarded a scrum for a knock-on but Leeds won a penalty. Bell sent out a heat-seeker that looked like it was going to miss; it hit the post and somehow went over. 15-9. But within the minute it was 18-9. And it could have been more - yet another penalty was award but Roberts missed. The next penalty awarded to Bristol was put out to touch and a try was on the cards but Bris were penalised for crossing. Guess what? Leeds gave away a penalty – well, Rowan did and the ref had enough so he was sent to the bin. 21-9 after 58 minutes.
An ironic cheer went up for Robbie Shaw as he replaced Hampson. Bristol had a prop sent to the bin to even things up a bit. Bell took the penalty for 21-12. Again Leeds fell asleep at the kick-off and Goodridge broke through for a try. With the conversion missed it was 26-12 after 65 minutes. Leeds were attacking but were penalised for a forward pass. As Bristol attacked Joe Barker intercepted and ran 60 yards for a try under the posts. 26-19 – was a famous Leeds last gasp comeback on the cards? It certainly looked like it as the never say die attitude took hold. Thornley made good ground; the ball was kept alive and Leeds were awarded a penalty at a scrum. Ford went for the corner, Lucock took a huge hit and knocked on. Leeds won the ball back following the scrum and went for one final attack but a loose pass saw the ball intercepted for a try. The conversion was the last kick of the game. Final score 33-19.
Bristol deserved the win although the final score was flattering. Leeds’ penalty count was way too high and was their downfall. I felt Leeds’ young squad showed their naivety in the face of some of Bristol’s physicality. Not the result we wanted before another big game next weekend when the Pirates come calling. Diccon needs to address the penalty issues – we saw it early season and discipline has improved recently. As we get to the business end of the regular season it’s not acceptable to be giving so many away and the result means there is a gap beginning to appear between the top 6 and Leeds and Doncaster taking up the last two promotion play-off berths.
A few final thoughts - KPN had a good debut and will certainly be an asset to the team. Big Mac seems to have put on a lot of weight since his return from the world cup and is less mobile as a result. Danny Paul made a difference when he came on with some massive hits; impressing my Bris pals not only with his skills but his size and mobility. Roll on when he can put in a full 80 minutes. And the best kid of the 175 Future Stars parade was in the very last group – but then I am biased!
Digg
Delicious
Facebook
Reddit
Stumbleupon
05/12/2011 06:01
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:12:09:17:44:57 by WildWillie .
Leeds played poorly but I was also disappointed with Bristol and for us to still be in with a chance of a draw with the last play of the match was Staggering.
Lets hope confidence will return at Headingley
The final score flattered Bristol, though they still probably performed that little bit more consistently to deserve the win. As has been said elsewhere the penalty count again crucified us and there is endeavour between the half and threequarter backs but not enough mixed play.
It was a rough physical game at times as Bristol sought to intimidate our young side. Saying that, I'd like to see a replay of the Titterall incident as I'm sad to say I saw him throw three head-butts which will put him in the do-dos if the citing officer saw them too. Whatever the provocation there is no place for that and he was lucky not to sit out the rest of the game along with the thuggish Bristol No. 3.
Miserati - and Proud to be!
He looked bloody good though when he came on!
Zandra YaPoI
YaPoI - Yorkshire and Proud of It
'proficiscor in una'
