Yorkshire Carnegie
Battle of the Drop - Part 1
Hooper's return
By Mark Cotton
December 31 2009
With what seems like little time to draw breath after Sunday’s epic in the North East Leeds face arguably their biggest match of the season thus far with the visit of Bath. Saturday’s match could well be billed as “The Battle of the Drop, Pt.1”, with both teams are struggling at the foot of the table, arguably for different reasons.
Bath’s pre-season was tumultuous following the fallout of an end-of-season do in London, which resulted in four of the senior pro’s leaving the club in bitter circumstances. Add to this long term injuries to last season’s star Butch James, and the prodigal son Ollie Barkley and it’s not difficult to see why they have struggled. As we know only too well Leeds’ re-entry to the Premiership was not helped by visa problems and recruitment issues.
Both sides go into the New Year with decent wins under their belts; Bath comfortably dispatched local rivals Gloucester last week, whilst the ‘Negies took a well-deserved win in appalling conditions at Newcastle and survived an absolute battering in the final stages of the match to boot. Leeds are showing a bit of decent form at the moment and are gradually removing the lapses in concentration which has cost them dear to date. In fact if they beat their visitors this week then they will swap places at the bottom and possibly put the frighteners on 10th placed Worcester, too.
So, can Leeds get a much-needed home win on Saturday to get away from bottom place? Looking at the Bath side it is difficult to see why they are in the position they are in. A front row featuring current England internationals Bell and Mears (with arguably the best prop Flatman shamefully overlooked by the England selectors during the autumn), our old skipper Stuart Hooper looking to lock horns with current supremo Marco Wentzl, and a set of classy backs. For whatever reason though they have failed to consistently click as a unit and hopefully this will be the case on Saturday. Leeds should be able to go into the game picking from virtually a full squad. The only selection doubt would appear to be Cieron Thomas at 10, who has pulled up early in both the last matches. However it would be fair to say that the latest kid on the block Joe Ford has slotted in to the fly-half role with an ease which belies his tender years. The forwards are playing as a unit and have not really been bested since Leicester and have been boosted by the return of ‘Alfred the Great’ and ‘Shrek’ (messrs To’oala and Fourie respectively). After the battle of Kingston Park there must be an abundance of confidence and self-belief throughout the squad, something that perhaps has been missing from our visitors. Provided our coaching staff have identified and planned for perceived weaknesses in the Bath side then, yes, a win is on the cards. With so much at stake it ain’t going to be pretty but I think that Leeds will shade it by a score and with the win start to chart the course for Premiership survival and give us long suffering fans a Happy New Year!
Digg
Delicious
Facebook
Reddit
Stumbleupon
31/12/2009 10:12
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
The first Leeds Tykes child mascot...#leedswasps0203season. #cheersbentos
See you on Saturday
looking forward to the Premiership next Season already...!
I have butterflys thinking about Saturday its a big one we must win no if's and but's this is what the players are paid for.
COME ON LADS!
Pain is only temporary but victory is forever
If we win enough games we'll stay up, and then I think with the squad, some additions and the youngsters coming through we could build a future in the GP
Ask comparethemarco.com
Simples
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:12:31:13:00:26 by oopnorth.
Life is what you make of it - you only get 1 so enjoy it
Oh also whilst not giving away penalties.
Happy New Year to all the posters.
Pain is only temporary but victory is forever
The first Leeds Tykes child mascot...#leedswasps0203season. #cheersbentos
Cheers,
Rich
Quote:nick holder
is the pitch going to be playable?
have you got much snow?
No Snow, and we have best ground crew in the GP
He was also saying that the Leicester match is ripe for a win as they can't win on the road this season.
And give the big lump credit - he said that we are a very clever and motivated team.
Quote:Gelbel
Old toad face - sorry Stuart Barnes was saying on The Rugby Club last night that Leeds should be the happiest of the teams (others being Barf and Worcs) with the next few fixtures that are coming up and if we win the home ones and get off the bottom we should be OK. If we don't get off the bottom by after the Leicester game then he reckons we are doomed.
And give the big lump credit - he said that we are a very clever and motivated team.
Yes and he couldn't make himself say Bath we're in the relegation mix Happy New Year to you all
WHATEVER IT TAKES
Quote:Tartan Tyke
Yes and he couldn't make himself say Bath we're in the relegation mix
Yeah - that was funny that - I shouted some obsenity at him after I'd sprayed wine everywhere.
