Yorkshire Carnegie
Carnegie Kids Edge Out Albion
Find of the season?
By Farmertyke
October 24 2011
As Leeds trooped off from the warm up two players remained. Like naughty school boys Hampson and Ford where left behind to do some extra tackling practice. They should not have been on their own!...............
Leeds started with a flourish as they controlled the possession and had Albion pinned in their half. A scrum won against the head saw the returning Michael Stephenson glide over in the corner with seven minutes on the clock. Eight minutes later Stephenson instigated an attack from an Albion kick up field. Showing good pace he found Thornley who scored in the opposite corner from the first try. Bell converted and with 12 points in the bag the optimists’ thoughts turned to bonus points.
Having had so much possession Leeds had forgotten what to do in defence....namely tackle. A benign clearance kick from Ford found the Albion hooker on his own 10 metre line, having skipped around a flailing Stephenson he set off on the long trek to the line. The defence had decamped to another part of the ground as Gareth Evans ran in unmolested for Albion’s first try. At the obligatory huddle under the posts nobody remembered the T word as shortly after Albion’s Paul Bailey collected his chip and chase and neatly found James Love who, with Leeds defenders falling off the tackle, scored in the corner. He missed the conversion but put Albion ahead with a penalty to lead 13-12 at half time.
The half time Isotonic worked wonders as Leeds again started strongly. The scrum looked dominant and a Bell penalty saw Leeds edge back in front. With Albion reduced to 14 men after Fisilau had attempted to decapitate Hampson, the portents looked good for a Leeds win but Albion had not read the script and a loose pass saw the visitors grab the ball and score a converted try to lead 20-15.
The forwards were bolstered by the substitute Swainston and the welcome return of Tom Denton. A line out near the Albion line saw the superior Leeds pack rumble over for a try which was credited to the abrasive Nilsen, 22-20. Albion again took the lead from a penalty but with less than 10 minutes to go Leeds had a chance to collect a bonus point but Thornley was up ended as he went to touch down. Bell kicked 2 further penalties to take the final score to 28-23.
A better performance from the team, but so it should be with the return of some of the more experienced members to the squad. However it was the new hands that caught the eye. Hampson, Barrow and Rowan all had a good game but the find of the season is surely Chris Walker who had another storming match and deserved MOM.
Leeds are still making too many errors and leaking tries and if the World Cup has shown us anything other than how to catch a dwarf it is that defence is king. The playoffs will be won by the team with the best defence and at times ours is non-existent.
A memo to Diccon, have a word with that charming Shaun fellow and maybe make a few more of the team stay behind for tackling practice........
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24/10/2011 19:56
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:10:26:18:53:19 by Wildwillie.
So much so I read it 4 times while I waited to be able to post a reply....
yup, we missed out on a bonus point win and and gave away sloppy tries. but the signs are promising for our pack's solidity and our backs cutting edge.
need to put some serious work into that defence as its goldington road next... gulp.
Though having said that, as we don't have one currently, it's perhaps difficult to criticise...............?
I do agree with you about Chris Walker, he's a good 'un. Ditto Hampson, Rowan is blossoming with every appearance and Barrow is showing just why he is in his England age group.
Plug had a great game and stayed on, bonus!!
Up the Carnegie TYKES!
