Yorkshire Carnegie
The Boys are back in Town
By Carnegiette
November 10 2013
Lots of questions before the game today: Would the Leeds old boys, back in town playing for Roth make us pay? Would the Lineout function better than last week? Would Lozowski have the experience for this test? Was Roth’s position in the table due to a kind fixture list or are they top 4 contenders? The scene was set for an exciting game with both teams having plenty of incentive to gain bragging rights over the other.
Early on Roth showed their intent with a huge hit by Alfie, and then a Leeds infringement offered up a point scoring chance for Socino. He has an excellent record this season but the kick was missed. And after 2 reset scrums, where Leeds were clearly in control (at this stage) Lozzer made no mistake when the inevitable penalty came 3-0
It was a scrappy game, and after 12 minutes barely any rugby had been played, though with quite a bit of pushing and shoving going on. The million pound pitch was starting to cut up too with Ryan Burrows doubling as a groundsman trampling divots back in. Leeds were showing plenty of intent and when Roth pulled down a rolling maul, hooker Tom Cruse (no not that one) was sent to the bin, and Lozzer stepped up to make it 6-0.
Socino had another chance to kick at goal – but again missed and in contrast down the other end Lozzer made it 3 from 3. Leeds were conceding a worrying number of penalties though and after a 3rd missed Socino penalty, Leeds kindly gifted him another go 30 seconds later which he converted 9-3. Then some excitement for the Leeds fans, as Hampo made a great break, before the final pass to Jacob was knocked on - a gilt edged chance gone begging. And having conceded yet another penalty (again missed by Socino), finally Leeds showed what they were capable of with a Doc try – a break by Lozowski, who offloaded to Burdon. I think it was only the second time Doc had touched the ball and the other wingers on the pitch for both teams were even more anonymous. 16-3 half time.
Talk on Twitter at half time was about the booing of the Rotherham kicker, which appears to have been from some of the young teams playing at half time. Hopefully the message got through to them, that there is no place for this in Rugby Union.
Whatever Lee Blackett put in the Roth half time oranges, it had an immediate effect as Roth came out after the half time break showing much more intent and that was to remain the theme for 30 minutes of the half. Laurence Pearce had replaced Alfie and looked a big ball carrier. Roth had gained ascendancy in the scrum, Hampo was binned early on, and Leeds were on the back foot defensively for most of the half. Tellingly though, Leeds scored a penalty on almost their only early foray into the Roth half, and although Roth scored a penalty try during the time Hampo was off, the score was now 19-10.
The Leeds replacements were made much earlier than last week, and the defensive effort in the second half was immense. Tackles were being made by everyone (turnovers by Jacob Rowan and Joe Graham were notable) and Roth could not find a way through. Our one chance to score went begging as Jacob was tackled close to the line and couldn’t get the pass to Doc on his outside. Hughes came on late for Lozowski – and he missed 2 relatively easy chances to put it out of sight forLeeds.
Final Score – 19-10 to Leeds, an invaluable 4 points against the team directly above us in the League. Not a classic by any means, but it did illustrate how important it is to take the points. Roth missed 4 penalties, Leeds 2 (but after the game was gone for Roth). Had Roth scored these it could have been a different story. Leeds’ defence was massive and on balance we deserved the win.
So to answer some of the questions.
Ultimately the Leeds old boys didn’t make us pay and the lineout was consistently good throughout the game – with both hookers on. Lozowski definitely has the nerve and temperament for this kind of game. And finally IMHO both teams will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season – Roth will feel they could on another day have won this.
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10/11/2013 21:17
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:11:23:07:55:59 by Gelbel.
Under J-Lo, we seem to have developed a habit of winning that we didn't have last season. Whilst we all like to see lots of exciting rugby, the truth is, we need to win ugly from time to time if we are to make the play-offs (or do even better).
Also, Leeds defence has made tremendous strides in the past 18 months - in part this reflects the team spirit and the confidence that each tackle will be made.
COME ON LEEDS.
We've been through it all together.
Last season, after watching us capitulate in some game or other, I remember saying that solid defence had to become our basic standard of performance - the constant truth we fall back on when everything else is going wrong. I'd say that's been achieved as, by the sounds of it, it was solid defence that saw us home today and the lads deserve credit for that.
To move on to the next level we have to improve our game management though. That's what got Newcastle past us in the play offs and it's also what saw London Welsh home last week.
Everyone knows we can attack and against the weaker teams that's enough but we have to be able to do more. Keep possession, work through the phases, gain territory and attack when the time is right - this can be from within our own 22, but not always.
I'm still fairly new to this game but it seems to me that good decision making is key to coming out on the right side of the small margins. I said it in pre-season and I'll say it again. I'd like to see an experienced older head working alongside our young fly halves.
That pitch is a blooming disgrace though.
