Yorkshire Carnegie
Blues report
By Leemingtyke
September 30 2013
Having been unable to get to Donny and a Friday night in Cornwall never a realistic option, for myself and LT Jr the pre-season finally came to an end yesterday and, if you can't end the summer exile at Headingley, then where better than the worlds’ only purpose built cheese rolling stadium - Goldington Road. I love going to Bedford. Nice ground with a good atmosphere, knowledgeable, friendly locals and a fantastic pub just outside the gates - it doesn’t get much better. So, with a good game in prospect on a glorious early autumn afternoon, the boy and I made the short trip from the Cricketers Arms to the ground full of the joys of…erm, early autumn.....
Having lost their first two games, we knew the Blues would have the bit between their teeth for this one. Leeds began the game defending the summit with a solid start needed.
And a solid start was delivered when a sharp looking Hampo nipped through a gap and did enough at the breakdown to set up an opening shot at goal for his half back partner. I'm delighted to report that Lozowski didn't just kick it, he punched it straight through the middle, a theme he would continue throughout the afternoon.
Both teams were playing some good rugby but Bedford were looking the more clinical. Good build up work put their blindside over for the first try and then they took full advantage of a mistimed Leeds pass to breakaway and score a second. However, the Blues were developing a theme of their own, namely scoring tries but missing the conversions. In stark contrast to Lozowski, former Leeds target Mike Le Bourgeois was having a wretched afternoon with the boot and, after at least three attempts which didn't come close to troubling the scoreboard, he was relieved of his duties to be replaced by Pritchard.
Surprise starter Wee Stevie went over on the corner for Leeds before Bedford, somewhat fortuitously, scored their third try of the half. I say fortuitously because there were several bundled offloads and a clear forward pass involved in the build up but, as sometimes happens, the ref missed it and these things normally even themselves out over a season.
18 each at the break.
I have to admit that I missed Jonah's try at the start of the second half whilst in the marquee beer queue but returned in time to see Bedford return the compliment. It was by now an enthralling contest. Leeds were four tries to two down but, crucially, we got the measure of the referee and the vast majority of decisions around the breakdown were now going our way. Lozowski's boot (including one thumping 40ish metre effort which was still rising as it bisected the uprights dead centre) was keeping us in the game.
The second half was a nerve shredding affair as the lead changed hands more times than a dodgy fairground fiver, but Leeds deservedly, scraped home - just.
Bedford supporters will undoubtedly be disappointed with this result and there’s no doubt that if Le Bourgeois had been wearing the same kicking boots he wore for Jersey last season then it might have been a different result. As mentioned above, they did get the rub of the green with their third try though and they will have seen enough from their team to be assured that they will soon turn the corner. It will still be a massive surprise if they aren't involved in the play offs.
For Leeds Alex Lozowski thoroughly deserves the man of the match award after as good a fly half display as I've seen from a Leeds player in the last few years. But, that doesn't tell the full story because this was a fantastic team performance. On any other day I would've given the honours to Damien Tussac who had a storming game at tight head, Ryan Burrows was also outstanding throughout. In the backs Josh Griffin made the hard yards all afternoon in a fantastically selfless display and Jonah Holmes looked every inch the barnstorming winger I hoped he would be.
One thing I picked up on. Neither the referee nor the players made any attempt to adhere to the new scrum laws with regards to not being allowed to push before the ball is in. If either set of forwards had been a bit smarter they could have allowed themselves to be shoved back before the ball was put in and presumably gained an easy penalty.
Bedford are as close as you'll get to a benchmark for this division. Top four regulars, they are consistently a very good side and if you do well against them, especially on their own patch, then you know you're going to be competitive. If you don't bring your 'a game', as our American cousins would say, then chances are you'll get badly beaten.
Leeds did very well yesterday. In a performance overflowing with positives they found a way to win against quality opposition despite being out scored 4 tries to 2 and that, imho, bodes very well for the rest of the season.
Finally, a short disclaimer. Whilst Adnams Southwold Beer and Charles Wells IPA is lovely stuff, it doesn't do anything for the memory retention and it's perhaps not the best idea if you're supposed to be writing the match report, apologies if there is a lack of detail above!
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30/09/2013 05:27
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:10:14:11:00:06 by Gelbel.
Entertaining read, no doubt you too shall be plagiarised by the Blues website!
We shall let you into a little secret, as we have all been there, shoite-faced and writing a match report.
Use the Club's Twitter feed for the bones and flesh it out with your witty observations, simples!
Zandra YaPoI
YaPoI - Yorkshire and Proud of It
'proficiscor in una'
Suffering on the Leeds and Yorkshire roller-coaster since 2001
I laughed out loud at the purpose built cheese rolling stadium bit and got some right funny looks for it.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:09:30:09:35:15 by oopnorth.
With regards to Stevie I would suggest that he was probably not 100%, as he was named as Sub but had to take the field from the start due to late withdrawal of Doc who was listed as number 15 for this match. He confused things by appearing with No 21 on his back. When Baby Doc replaced Hampo he took to the park wearing number 15 which appeared to confuse Bedford's announcer judging by his attempts to give correct information.
I agree with you about Stevie Beeston, hopefully he came through it unscathed though and with a bit of luck D Doc can be released back into his natural habitat for the Ealing match.
I too liked the reference to cheese rolling. I also noticed that whilst you refer to the effects of beer on the memory cells, you did manage to remember the names of those guilty beers!
Still using your welsh cakes recipe. Where is Leigh these days ?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:10:02:11:28:59 by oopnorth.
COME ON LEEDS.
We've been through it all together.
Apparently the Cricketers is no more!
