Yorkshire Carnegie
For whom the bell tolls......
Back to Black
By Bunj
February 1 2012
Leeds Carnegie returned to a cold damp day in LS 6 to play an in form Bedford who were lying 2nd in the Championship. The Hoops were desperate to get back to winning ways after their shock defeat at the hands of Plymouth a fortnight earlier. 5 changes were made to the starting 22 with the re-introduction of old favorites Messrs.’ Blackett, Titterrell, Barrow and Pendlebury.
The game was delayed by 15 minutes, the late kick off unfortunately wasn’t as a result of crowd congestion but that the Bedford team coach that was late. When the Blues eventually arrived they appeared to have not brought a change of strip forcing our heroes to change from their familiar all black shorts and socks to our away ones. Surely someone must be held accountable for these 2 mistakes especially in these professional times we find ourselves in.
Finally our Premier league referee Dave Pearson blew his whistle and the game was under way. Leeds started slightly the brighter and were awarded a penalty after 3 minutes. To our amazement they opted to run instead of banking 3 points and the move came to nothing. A minute later Leeds were awarded another penalty after some great counter rucking and up stepped our Tommy and Leeds took the lead 3-0.
After 8 minutes the Blues were level when Pritchard slotted over an easy penalty. Bedford then took control of the game and were awarded another penalty on the half way line which Sharp impressively converted to take the visitors into the lead 6-3.
Leeds did manage to get out of their half when ” Wheels” Barrow cleared up field with an impressive 50 yard kick to which the Leeds players chased. From the resulting passage of play Carnegie were awarded a penalty which Bell uncharacteristically missed. Sharp then missed another pot from the half way line when Leeds were caught offside. What followed was to be the big talking point of the 1st half. Bedford started a maul and seemed effortlessly to move 15 yards towards the try line when the ball was circulated on the 25 yard line they sent it wide and eventually Bedford’s centre Vass crashed over for a well-deserved try. It looked a legitimate try until the big screen revealed that the ball appeared to have been knocked on by a big distance. The crowd were incensed and for the 2nd game running at Headingley Leeds had conceded a try that shouldn’t have stood. Mr Pearson waved play on and Bedford shot in to an 11-3 lead. The conversion bounced back off the post and Leeds were just still in the game.
The next score was vital and it came from Leeds after a good kick from Joe Ford .The Blues were caught off side and Mr. Bell stepped up to convert the penalty and that concluded the scoring in the 1st half. Nothing much happened in the last few minutes until our Premiership referee finally noted that Bedford had sneaked off side and awarded the home team a penalty but only after some intervention from the touch judge who was getting some serious stick from the “Paddock Screamers” This penalty was greeted by the biggest cheer of the afternoon thus far as Bedford had seemed to be on the fringes of being off side all the way through the half.
Leeds went in to the interval knowing that their abject performance thus far was not good enough for the management and fans alike. As for Bedford they looked well organized and had deserved their lead even though they were lucky to have one. Whatever Diccon said to the troops at half time or whether he adopted the hairdryer it seemed to have the desired effect and Leeds came out with fire in their bellies. Right from the whistle they looked a different team but it was Bedford who notched the first points when he converted a penalty when Carnegie were caught off side. It took until the 50th minute for the impressive Bell to reduce the arrears to 14-9 when he kicked a penalty when Bedford’s no 8 Tupai was caught off side. The tide was turning as Leeds brought on fresh legs and it was after good work from our own, sorry Sales ex Wigan Warrior, Iain Thornley that produced another simple converted spot kick from Bell and Leeds were no within 2 points of the visitors. Leeds eventually took the lead on 62 minutes when Bell made it 5 from 6 after a sustained period of pressure.
Leeds were now all over the Blues like a cheap suit and were camped out in their half. Our Premiership referee was contemplating a card for persistent foul play and eventually he duly obliged. Much to the pleasure of the vocal south stand and Bedford’s other centre Mr. Burke took the long walk across the field to the dugout for a cooling off period. Surely the game was ours. Bell kicked the resultant penalty and Leeds took a 4 point lead. Leeds being Leeds are renowned for gifting teams a “punchers chance” especially at home and they duly obliged. They were caught crossing and Pritchard reduced the arrears to a single point to set up our 7th grandstand finish in a row at home. Bell however kicked his 7th penalty to conclude the scoring and Leeds ran down the clock and hung on for the remaining 7 minutes and the final score was 21-17 to The Hoops.
What a difference a half time team talk can make. Leeds adapted to the conditions and played sensible rugby during the 2nd period. Lee Blackett was my man of the match for a very gritty performance throughout although the Giant Hohneck was again in a different class especially at line outs and Tommy “Gun” Bell again kicked us to a well-earned and possibly deserved 4 points against one of the better teams in the league.
THE HENDRIE FOURIE CHAMPAGNE AWARD – Bells place kicking 7 from 8 a good day at the office.
THE SHAUN MARSHALL VILLAIN OF THE PIECE AWARD – Our Premiership referee who seemed to like winking at Bedford’s winger Josh Bassitt more than concentrating on the persistent missed offside and the awarding of blatant knocked on try
Attendance 2514
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01/02/2012 18:29
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:02:12:09:15:19 by WildWillie .
COME ON LEEDS.
We've been through it all together.
