Yorkshire Carnegie
There's a fog on the Tyne
By HappyHax
May 6 2013
On a glorious afternoon that saw Headingley stadium bathed in sunshine, 4,259 spectators were treated to full blooded play off semi final between Leeds and Newcastle. In a game that swayed to and fro,Leeds scored 11 unanswered points in the final 12 minutes to secure a hard earned victory.Leeds scored two tries that would both be genuine contenders for any try of the season award.
The visitors got proceedings under way and Leeds made a good start pinching the first line out, but both sides were showing signs of nerves, Warren Fury knocking on when Falcons pressed, and for 15 minutes play centred around mid field as the two teams battled for ascendancy.
Leeds had a scrum on their 22 and Jacob Rowan picked up and made 20 yards. The ball found its way to Fred Burden who sliced through the Falcons defence, and he expertly drew the full back before releasing Stevie McColl who gleefully raced 30 yards to score between the sticks. Ford converted, and Leeds was on their way. They made a mess of the restart but managed to win a penalty, to clear the danger, but not for long. Falcons won a penalty 35 yards out but, Jimmy hit the post and the bar and the ball fell into Leeds arms, only for a Leeds knock on to give Falcons a scrum under the posts. Leeds was penalised, and this time Gopperth did his job and Leeds led 7 – 3.
Two more penalties to Joe Ford increased the lead in the next ten minutes to 13 – 3, but Leeds was pegged back when Gopperth made a superb break from inside his own half, and raced clear of the defence. He looked a certain scorer, but Josh Griffin denied him with a superb tackle which took him into touch.Leeds won the subsequent line out, but somehow the ball ended up in Ally Hogg’s hands and he crashed over by the corner flag. Gopperth kicked a good conversion and Leeds lead was down to 3 points.
Griffin came to the rescue again when Leeds dropped the ball in midfield and Newcastle hacked the ball on, his intervention causing the visitors to lose the ball almost on the line. Leeds were trying to kick deep into Newcastle territory, but when a 60 yard kick went behind the dead ball line, Leeds was penalised at the resulting scrum on the stroke of half time, somebody spoke out of turn conceding a needless 10 yards and a Jimmy penalty took the sides in level at 13 apiece.
The second half started badly for the hosts, Matt Smith limping off to be replaced by Pierce Phillips after only 2 minutes.Leeds had the chance to restore the lead but a difficult penalty kick drifted just wide of the posts.
The Falcons defence stood firm as Leeds applied pressure, but eventually they got the ball, and when Leeds strayed offside, Newcastle took the lead for the first time with another Gopperth penalty. In the next 5 minutes,Leeds conceded two more kickable penalties, but the first one went wide, before Jimmy made it 13 – 19 with 15 minutes left to play.
Leeds now had it all to do, but some good scrummaging won them a penalty on 69 minutes, and Ford’s kick narrowed the gap.Newcastle made ground with a strong rolling maul, but Leeds defended well, taking it into touch. With time running out Leedsmade another push, and another powerful drive from the forwards earned another penalty which Joe safely put between the uprights to level the scores.
If we thought that was it we had another think coming. From the restart Ford’s clearing kick was charged down, and only a despairing dive by James Doherty prevented a Newcastle try.
Leeds sent the 22 restart into the visitors half, and surprisingly they chose to run the ball. However, a dodgy pass saw a Falcons knock on and Leeds had one more chance to maybe salvage a win. As Leeds won the scrum, Fury ventured offside to give Leeds a penalty, but Ryan Burrows was having none of it. He got the ball, tore through a huge gap, shrugged off a defender and went for the line. Tait hesitated, and Burrows had the speed and strength to crash over near the corner flag. Mr. Rose referred to the video official, but he needn’t have bothered it was a clear try, and his confirmation set off huge celebrations among the Leeds players and fans. The conversion attempt hit the post, and the referee called no side.
It wasn’t a great game, but it was exciting, and I thought generally well controlled by the ref. Yes, he missed the odd thing, but he was consistent, and wasn’t whistle happy, and that gave the players a chance to play the game. A good crowd created a good cup tie like atmosphere, and at the end Leeds showed just how much they have learned this season. Every player who went on the field today was magnificent, and any one of them could be considered man of the match. I’m giving my bottle of pop to Josh Griffin for the two first half tackles that kept us in the game, but I’m also giving him 22 straws so everybody can have a slurp. Well done Leeds.
A massive win for the underdogs, and they certainly have no need to fear going up to KingstonPark next week. Leeds seemed to handle the pressure of the occasion better than the Falcons, and the expectation on Newcastle next week will be even greater. Whatever happens, the players, and the coaching staff can be proud of what they achieved today, and an early score next week, then who knows. Will the curse of the play-offs strike again?
Hopefully the Falcons fans that made the trip had a safe journey home. We’re looking forward to coming up next weekend, if it is as exciting as today, it will be some game.
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06/05/2013 21:02
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:05:12:21:14:08 by Gelbel.
Way more optimism here than on the Falcon's MB!
Can't wait for next week, I think they will be under way more pressure than today, which might be to our advantage!
Zandra YaPoI
YaPoI - Yorkshire and Proud of It
'proficiscor in una'
I have to disagree slightly in that I thought it was a great game and a fantastic advert for championship rugby.
Fantastic team effort, the lads showed true character to come back from 6 points down after being 10 points up at one stage.
Very proud to be a Leeds supporter tonight and, having just visited the Falcons board, I'd say the cat's well and truly amongst the pigeons - or should that be budgies!
COME ON LEEDS.
We've been through it all together.
DE has taken done stick on here but the boys looked well coached snd skilful. Congratulations to all that have helped produce this team.
Whatever happens at KP this was a fantastic effort today, we are peaking at the right time in the season and have momentum on our side
All to play for!
This week is just going to d r a g
I hope the next game is on Sky Sports 1 or 2 so I can tape it. I want to hear what the pundits have to say about us. Rugby Club on Thursday should be interesting.
What a great team performance the Lads gave.
After the final whistle I thought, well done but next week will probably be a game to far, then I read the following quote allegedly from the Falcons team!
Quote:“Talking to the lads after the game they were confident of being able to cream Leeds at KP. They should have done so today. Have to say, on the basis of today's game & previous encounters, that is realism. What is needed is more ball in hand. Difficult when ref does not ping the opposition at the breakdown when they flopover the ball at the ruck, off their feet, preventing quick ball.
I have smiled over the last few months at the complacency of the Falcon fan’s and management, the expectation that they were heading straight back to the Premiership this year started with their relegation with the comments like “Oh well, a year in the championship will do us good, look at Quins and Northamption.” and "We have signed ....... for next year in the Premiership"
That was pre Playoffs ask Bristol about them!
The teams who have experienced the playoffs over the past few years know, right or wrong, that the season is all about getting to the playoffs and then its all starts again.
But if that is an accurate quote from the Falcon team, then I think we are in with a chance as they still don’t seem to understand that winning all but one game in the regular season counts for nothing.
The Leeds Lads appear to be up for it were as the Falcons seem to feel they “Deserve it”
Sadly I will be in London on Sunday but will be glued to Twitter
Come on Leeds
And despite what Hax says, in my view, Mr Rose has wilted further that last time I saw him performing !
Well done all the hoops, great performance!
Up the Carnegie TYKES !
I happen to think that getting into the Premiership this season will be a year or so too early for this squad but then again you never know do you.
More big crowds in Headingley and more Leeds support needed as it is thoroughly deserved on yesterday's showing.
Quote:North needs success
Great game. Great atmosphere.
More big crowds in Headingley and more Leeds support needed as it is thoroughly deserved on yesterday's showing.
The atmosphere was fantastic yesterday - although it did go a bit flat at the beginning of the 2nd half.
I was amazed that for the majority of the time we out-voiced the Falcons supporters. I'm suffering from the affects today.
Hope the newbies or fair-weather attendees turn up next season. Those of us in the know have been watching that type of display for a couple of months now...
..still hate the long passes though.
With no time left on the big screen we gain a penalty, the crowd as one are baying for Joe to take the points. Joe steps up, takes longer than normal to start his run up and BANG, over the ball goes plumb center of the uprights. The crowd rejoices and are quite happy to accept a draw.
But no! The game is not over yet. Mr Rose has found some more time on his time piece. Pegged back on our back line a clearance kick is charged down and desperately fielded by JD.
Almost in the same breath the ball is back at the other end of the pitch with Burrows the custodian and forcing himself and the ball over the line. The ref and touch apeared to be having tea and buiscuits while making a decision. At last, a try is awared, the players go wild, the crowd go wild but slowly settles to allow Jow his attempt to convert from tight on the far touch line. Away the ball sails, the crowds cheers turn to a groan as the ball strikes the far upright.
Game over. Pandemonium reigns.
Leeds never seem to do things easy, prefering to keep supporters on the tip of their toes and glued to their seats till the very last minute providing full value for the £ spent.
For me a grat game, great result and the best last 5 minutes ever!
If we show the ref we are on top in the scrum early on we have a great chance. Falcons will be worried, despite their bullishness.
We have nothing to lose, which makes us very dangerous.
I don't like the play offs, and I agree Newcastle should have gone up automatically, but finishing top of the pile is irrelevant, and every team knew that before the season started.
Bedford, Nottingham and Leeds did enough to get another crack at promotion, and if one of them succeeds, then that is how it is!
COME ON LEEDS.
We've been through it all together.
Plaudits to Diccon and the coaching staff. We've given them stick all season but they turned up with the goods at exactly the right time.
As for being promoted too soon, let's get the next three games out the way before we worry about that, eh?
Suffering on the Leeds and Yorkshire roller-coaster since 2001
They also know that we are capable of beating them.
The pressure on them will be huge and if we can score first on Sunday, even if it's just a penalty, then it will ramp it up even more and they'll be able to feel the tension in the stadium. With that sort of pressure on them anything can happen.
Having said that, with home advantage and only a five point deficit I still make them favourites for the tie, - and that suits me fine.
Roll on Sunday, Come on Leeds!
Quote:Competitive Dad
Watching the recoded game now. Loving it. Baldwin, Walker, Rowan and Burrows is a great rotating back row.... and so young
I've been watching it too - well it beat the Apprentice
Please please please get as many of us up to the Artic on sunday which is bound to be a one off final and the lads deserve our support in numbers.
Mark my words Leeds will be at it in the frozen wastelands next week "Marching on Together,whenever forever"
P.S. Great report from our globetrotting scribe who as evere made himself heard along with the rest of the "Paddock Screamers"
As a neutral I thoroughly enjoyed the game and looking forward to a repeat this Sunday. Too close to call I think.
Up the Carnegie TYKES !
Quote:John R
Budgies may be bullish about Sunday, but their forum contributors are seriously worried !
Up the Carnegie TYKES !
Agreed John, I've tried to lighten the mood, but to no avail. Not so much 'Fog' on the Tyne, but the 'Dust cloud from the second wave of a nuclear detonation' on the Tyne!!
Zandra YaPoI
YaPoI - Yorkshire and Proud of It
'proficiscor in una'
