Yorkshire Carnegie
Winter Wonderland.
Kingston Park?
By Haxbytyke
December 22 2010
With the entire country gripped by ice and frost, there must be some doubt as to whether this weeks’ vital relegation battle at Kingston Park will take place. The host’s plan to bring in a hot air dome to protect the pitch, have been just that, hot air. The arrival of the protector has been delayed by, yes you’ve guessed, the weather. Newcastle had to play last weekend’s fixture some 70 miles north at Galashiels, and even if the pitch is covered, there must be concern that the frost that was responsible for that change, will not have come out of the ground by 3.00 on Sunday.
However, if it has, then the stakes could not be much higher for either the Falcons, or Leeds. The two teams prop up the rest of the league, but by virtue of two wins, the Falcons are 7 points clear of their visitors. Like Leeds, they do not score many tries, (they have 11 to our 10), but they have the metronomic boot of Jimmy Gopperth to keep the scoreboard ticking over, and if Leeds are to improve their chances of winning this game, their discipline needs to be of the top order.
It is stating the obvious that this is a must win game for Leeds, but the last two performances must have improved the confidence of the squad. They have scored 15 tries, and even allowing for the quality of the opposition, the team should have the belief that things may, at last, be coming together. The management team made the unusual decision to play almost a full strength side in the two European games and the two resounding wins should give them every reason to be confident of taking their first premiership scalp of the season. With not too many injury concerns that we know of, Leeds should almost have a full squad to pick from. The big talking point, for me, will be whether Mike MacDonald returns to premiership action. It was no coincidence that his return last season was a big factor in our escape from relegation, and I hope to see him alongside Juan in the thick of the action this week.
No doubt the Falcons will also be eyeing up taking the 4 points from their nearest challengers, so the (wintry), scene is set for another, tough, and close, encounter.
12 months since, to the day, Leeds was in a very similar position, adrift at the bottom, and written off by all. They then made the short journey ‘oop north’, and in conditions very similar to what we are experiencing at the moment, turned in a magnificent effort to gain a 16 – 15 win and kick start their season. Can they do it this week?
I think they can, providing they play for 80 minutes, and keep their discipline. To be quite honest, defeat doesn’t bear thinking about, for we wouldn’t be left with a hill to climb, but a huge mountain. Hopefully that won’t happen and I predict a narrow win for the lads.
I hope that all the fans that are going, have a safe journey there, and a happy and safe journey back.
A very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to the players, management, and especially the fans of Leeds Carnegie. If anybody deserves a Happy Christmas, then surely, we do!
Come on Leeds.
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22/12/2010 17:25
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Best wishes to all for a Merry Christmas.
I'm anticipating both Big Mac playing and a win!
Up the Carnegie TYKES !
Zandra YaPoI
YaPoI - Yorkshire and Proud of It
'proficiscor in una'
As per last year I think one good game will be a tipping point and we will come good again.
In terms of foreign players i understand that we can play up to 2 but EU South Africans Fiji Tonga and Samoa don't count.
Perhaps Mike could become a Fifian
Quote:Rocky The Tyke
Mac can play with Gomez (did all last year) but BigMac and Mackay cannot.
Ah so. My memory's not what it was.
Quote:NewtfishQuote:Rocky The Tyke
Mac can play with Gomez (did all last year) but BigMac and Mackay cannot.
Ah so. My memory's not what it was.
Perhaps it may have something to do with those 2 pint pots of beer!!
Zandra YaPoI
YaPoI - Yorkshire and Proud of It
'proficiscor in una'
