Yorkshire Carnegie
Weekend Preview and results
By The Watcher
November 22 2013
With no England international distractions, supporters of the Championship can give their full attention to this weeks round of fixtures.
Leeds looks to get back on the winning track when they entertain a Jersey side who have struggled this season following the loss of a couple of key players. One of those is Nathan Hannay, and on Sunday he gets a belated chance to stake a claim for a regular place when he lines up, for Leeds, against his former colleagues. James Lowes has made 6 changes to the side surprisingly beaten at London Scottish, for this (for me anyway), must win game. If the confidence and swagger we saw earlier this season is to return, Leeds has to win handsomely on Sunday. I think they will, and get the bonus point as well.
There is little doubt Burrows, Tussac, and Holmes will be missed, but Phil Nilsen is a welcome return; his throwing should boost the line-out. It will be interesting to see how Glyn Hughes performs. No one doubts his attacking skills, but his kicking must improve if he is going to nail down the 10 shirt.
The weekend kicks off this evening when Plymouth, loitering on the fringes of the play offs host a struggling Bedford outfit. With the influential Jake Sharp missing from the Blues squad, I can’t see beyond a home victory.
Saturday sees the next two fixtures. Table topping Welsh travel to Billesley Common to take on a Moseley side boasting a 3 match unbeaten run, but these have all been gained against teams below them in the table, and it will be a major upset if the visitors don’t win. Likewise, Rotherham play host to a disappointing Nottingham, and should be good enough to secure a win and maintain their top four position.
On Sunday, the 3 remaining games take place, including the one at Headingley. London Scottish make the short journey to Ealing and it is difficult to see anything other than a win for them, a win which could, depending on other results, take them into a play off place. Finally, the inconsistent Pirates play host to Bristol. There is little love lost in this fixture, and Bristol will be seeking revenge for an opening day defeat at the hands of their Cornish foes. Expect a tight game, but home advantage may just hold sway, so I’ll go for Pirates to join Plymouth, London Welsh, Rotherham, London Scottish and Leeds to have a successful weekend.
Whoever you support, enjoy your game this weekend.
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22/11/2013 20:20
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:12:02:18:15:45 by Gelbel.
COME ON LEEDS.
We've been through it all together.
COME ON LEEDS.
We've been through it all together.
