Yorkshire Carnegie
Dogged defence dents Bristol's dreams
By Gelbel
January 26 2013
It was a dark and stormy night when Leeds Carnegie made the trip to Bristol for a vital 'top four' clash. The rain was coming down sideways with the assistance of a strong wind from the south west and, with the piles of snow at the side of the pitch, made for cold, unpleasant conditions not suited to free-flowing rugby.
This match was going to be won or lost by the forwards and that is very much what happened. But while Bristol's forwards may have been winning the battles, a very strong defence and a bit of good luck (probably due to the awful weather) stopped this being a cricket score against Leeds.
For the first few minutes it all looked good as Leeds attacked and Clegg did a lovely kick to pop the ball deep into Bristol territory. It came to nothing and that was probably the only time Leeds managed a decent attack all game. After some Bristol pressure, Leeds were awarded a penalty just inside their own half. Rowan did ask Clegg if he fancied it but he opted for the kick to touch rather than take the points. I know the wind was in their faces and it was a long range kick, but when the points are on offer they should be taken – Bristol snaffled the resulting line-out.
Then the penalty count started and with frustrating regularity it was 12-0 at half time – all from the boot of ex-Leeds' man Adrian Jarvis and with Leeds down to 14 due to the binning of Dominic Barrow (dare I say who else?). Given the amount of ball Bristol had and they had the wind in their favour, it's a wonder the score was not higher with at least one try in the bag for the home team.
The weather favoured Leeds in the second half and, almost immediately, Clegg started to claw back the deficit with a long range effort. Only the cross bar stopped a sneaky drop goal from a similar position a few minutes later. The far upright prevented another penalty a few minutes later. But it became 12-9 when his next two attempts sailed through the posts.
Wholesale replacements took place – Doherty for Hampson, Graham for Plug and the welcome return of Myscough at the expense of Burrow. Quickly followed by Smith and Harris for Lockwood and Green. With his second touch of the ball, Graham was binned meaning - Leeds played a quarter of the game with only 14 players.
Wholesale replacements took place – Doherty for Hampson, Graham for Plug and the welcome return of Myscough at the expense of Burrow. Quickly followed by Smith and Harris for Lockwood and Green. With his second touch of the ball, Graham was binned meaning - Leeds played a quarter of the game with only 14 players.
For the reminder of the game, Bristol were camped out in and around the Leeds' 5 yard lineand were totally dominant in the scrum. The home crowd were baying for a penalty try. I had to remind them of the rules – there was no sign that a try would've happened as Leeds were defending like their lives depended on it. Time and again they managed to win the ball off Bristol and, more often than not, kicked the ball up field to reset their defence rather than run it out and risk the chance of an error for Bristol to get the try that eluded them.
When the final whistle came, although Bristol had won and the Leeds players were not happy, I was delighted with a losing bonus point. With the amount of possession Bristol had, it's a wonder we were not taught a lesson. But if there is a lesson to learn, it is to stop the mindless penalties and having to play with reduced numbers.
And I learnt a couple of lessons, Bass is a terribly cruel beer and the Bristol bus service is worse than awful. But then, I'm allowed to forget my lessons as I don't have to recall them until next season (and the memory is not what it was). Leeds, on the other hand, can't seem to remember theirs from one week to the next. If Plymouth reckon they can out-muscle Leeds in contested scrums Leeds had better do their homework. A lot of revision wouldn't go amiss either as there is a tough exam at Otley in a few weeks.
And I learnt a couple of lessons, Bass is a terribly cruel beer and the Bristol bus service is worse than awful. But then, I'm allowed to forget my lessons as I don't have to recall them until next season (and the memory is not what it was). Leeds, on the other hand, can't seem to remember theirs from one week to the next. If Plymouth reckon they can out-muscle Leeds in contested scrums Leeds had better do their homework. A lot of revision wouldn't go amiss either as there is a tough exam at Otley in a few weeks.
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Discussion started by TykesRugby.co.uk (IP Logged), 26/01/2013 12:30
26/01/2013 12:30
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:02:03:19:10:55 by Gelbel.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:02:03:19:10:55 by Gelbel.
An interesting report which begs the question:
Why is our discipline not improving?
Why is our discipline not improving?
Need a visit from rugby's OFSTED to look at the quality of the 'teachers' and the 'pupils' ability to learn. 
Thanks Gel for report it's always good to hear thoughts of someone who was actually there. With regard to discipline issues was it apparent to you what the penalties were for as Radio Leeds including, Joe Ford, seemed bemused and unaware at times. It ok to talk of putting things right but if you don't know whats wrong there's a problem.
I am getting fed up of fans not considering the bigger picture and just saying "our discipline needs to improve" If they are giving away silly penalties because of indiscipline fine, its a fair comment - but they are giving penalties away whilst defending desperately on their own line - so lets look at the teams defensive strategy as a whole which is where the problems stem from and then add to that input from a referee working with the club -identifying problems and improving breakdown management.
Its unfair to single out players who receive a yellow card as its usually as a result of a series of penalties given away by a number of players. Also when its backs to the wall defence and a player commits a professional foul - as the club twitter correspondant pointed out it can a good decision to concede a penalty not a try.
Its unfair to single out players who receive a yellow card as its usually as a result of a series of penalties given away by a number of players. Also when its backs to the wall defence and a player commits a professional foul - as the club twitter correspondant pointed out it can a good decision to concede a penalty not a try.
Good post Nimmo. In wendyball it is called "taking one for the team" when a professional foul results in a yellow card. Watching on ITV, I saw Horsforth's James Milner do exactly that for his team this afternoon playing at Stoke. The sanction though is usually far more serious though in RU.
Our defence has definitely improved from the leaky "sieve" defence earlier the season. Against Bristol at home, in the second half we allowed them to run-in four tries and gain an undeserved bonus point.
If our defence can be described as "dogged" then that is a sign of improvement.
I wasn't born in Yorkshire but I got here as soon as I could
Our defence has definitely improved from the leaky "sieve" defence earlier the season. Against Bristol at home, in the second half we allowed them to run-in four tries and gain an undeserved bonus point.
If our defence can be described as "dogged" then that is a sign of improvement.
I wasn't born in Yorkshire but I got here as soon as I could
"I had to remind them of the rules"
I've always found Bris supporters very willing to listen to calm rational discussion
I've always found Bris supporters very willing to listen to calm rational discussion
"I had to remind them of the rules"
No doubt the Bristolians around you paused, drew breath, ruminated on the fact that most of them have or are playing the game, that this is one of the most knowledgable crowds in the country and comfortably the largest in this division, and politely pointed out to you that they aren't rules, they're laws.
No doubt the Bristolians around you paused, drew breath, ruminated on the fact that most of them have or are playing the game, that this is one of the most knowledgable crowds in the country and comfortably the largest in this division, and politely pointed out to you that they aren't rules, they're laws.
Quote:Smell Wee McBag
that this is one of the most knowledgable crowds in the country .
Can't be, they still think they are a big club!!
Thanks for the report Gel, I don't suppose it was a great spectacle if the radio commentary was anything to go by. I was pleased to come away with a point, it's not an easy place to go to,and to stop them crossing the whitewash represents a good effort.
On the radio, Kirsty, Sam, Plug and Baldwin got a lot of mentions. Were they the best players on the night?
COME ON LEEDS.
We've been through it all together.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:01:26:20:56:00 by Haxbytyke.
And that my Lord, rests the case for the prosecution of why even my Bris-mad pals wonder why other fans don't like them much.
Nimmo. This is a match report with a few observations. If I wanted to go into the nitty gritty of the whys and wherefores I'd start a thread about it. I scribble a few thoughts about the game as it happens. The rest is from memory. Have a go yourself if you're not happy with what you're reading.
Haxby. Yes. Wee Stevie had a good one. Solid under testing high balls as well as knowing when to run or kick out of our 5m. Sam had a canter from their 22 and made good yardage like a centre in his prime. To which the Bris fans jeered. I'm not sure but he may've been line out captain - he was certainly calling the shots. Buzz was all over the place. Plug ditto but kept getting pinged for holding on. Shorter report from me as I only had a bit of free time to do this, this am due to commitments and wouldn't have time to do until Tuesday otherwise - didn't want to keep you waiting.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:01:27:08:20:54 by Gelbel.
Nimmo. This is a match report with a few observations. If I wanted to go into the nitty gritty of the whys and wherefores I'd start a thread about it. I scribble a few thoughts about the game as it happens. The rest is from memory. Have a go yourself if you're not happy with what you're reading.
Haxby. Yes. Wee Stevie had a good one. Solid under testing high balls as well as knowing when to run or kick out of our 5m. Sam had a canter from their 22 and made good yardage like a centre in his prime. To which the Bris fans jeered. I'm not sure but he may've been line out captain - he was certainly calling the shots. Buzz was all over the place. Plug ditto but kept getting pinged for holding on. Shorter report from me as I only had a bit of free time to do this, this am due to commitments and wouldn't have time to do until Tuesday otherwise - didn't want to keep you waiting.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:01:27:08:20:54 by Gelbel.
Gel, great as usual! Thanks.
Zandra YaPoI
YaPoI - Yorkshire and Proud of It
'proficiscor in una'
Zandra YaPoI
YaPoI - Yorkshire and Proud of It
'proficiscor in una'
Ha Ha .... Haxby you really do seem to have a hang up about "Bris - thinking we are a big club". We dont think we are - we know we are the biggest club in The Chumpionship because our average crowd is more than a 1000 above anyone elses... We dont think we are the "best" club however I can assure you. Appalling conditions at The Mem which spoiled what should have been a good game between two decnt clubs in the 2nd tier. Believe me Leeds or Briss are nowhere near getting back to The Prem anytime soon..... However we will enjoy being the biggest club in The Chumpionship for a while.
Please also respect the fact that within a 10 mile radius of Bris there are more rugby union clubs than in any other part of the country (sorry cant find the reference details to bach that up at the mo). A lot of the fans that you chat to at The Mem are either still playing the game or have played the game.... A lot of clubs cant say that (especially them down the M4 at Barf). You will always get a welcome at The Mem. and although we might not seem that friendly at times, we care about the game. Rugby Union survivng in the North is a subject that Bris fans are very passionate about.... we may not be liked, but we care about our wonderful game.
Please also respect the fact that within a 10 mile radius of Bris there are more rugby union clubs than in any other part of the country (sorry cant find the reference details to bach that up at the mo). A lot of the fans that you chat to at The Mem are either still playing the game or have played the game.... A lot of clubs cant say that (especially them down the M4 at Barf). You will always get a welcome at The Mem. and although we might not seem that friendly at times, we care about the game. Rugby Union survivng in the North is a subject that Bris fans are very passionate about.... we may not be liked, but we care about our wonderful game.
Also - Why is it all rugby fans say " we give away to many penalties" - sometimes we should give the opposition credit for applying the pressure that "forces" the penalty - Good luck for the rest of the season... will be an interesting tussle for 4th methinks !!
Thanks for that Hoopsy. We give away silly penalties in all areas of the pitch, when we are on top & when we are under the cosh - no pattern, only consistency.
Hoopsy. You are quite right. You are the biggest club in the Chumpionship! Not so big in the Championship however!
I had never thought of Bristol as a big club until I read comments on their message board, that they were too big a club to be losing to small clubs like Leeds and Moseley! Their words not mine.
I also remember them telling us last season they would be good enough to beat Newcastle, who were getting hammered in the prem.
Maybe they will become a bit more realistic now.
COME ON LEEDS.
We've been through it all together.
I also remember them telling us last season they would be good enough to beat Newcastle, who were getting hammered in the prem.
Maybe they will become a bit more realistic now.
COME ON LEEDS.
We've been through it all together.
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