Yorkshire Carnegie
Early Xmas present for Carnegie
Winner
By Happyhax
December 21 2014
Yorkshire Carnegie moved,(even if temporarily), into the top half of the Championship table with a hard fought victory on a very heavy pitch at St. Peters. There was also a stiff breeze blowing in from the airport, and Jersey had first use of the elements.
For the first 20 minutes Jersey dominated the game, and a Johnny Bentley penalty, and a well worked try in the corner gave them an 8 point lead midway through the first half, a lead which could have been extended had Bentley judged the breeze better with a couple of kicks at goal. When Leeds eventually had the ball they looked lively, but it was a fortuitous refereeing decision that brought them back into the game. A driving maul was pulled down by the hosts, and the referee, had no hesitation in raising his arm and going beneath the posts to award a penalty try. Not a popular decision with the locals, but Harry Leonard converted, and on the stroke of half time he slotted another penalty between the sticks to give Carnegie a narrow lead at the interval.
The wind had eased slightly when the game re-started, and both sides worked hard to gain the upper hand. Leeds had a narrow escape when Jersey crossed on the far side, but a flag was raised to indicate the winger had gone into touch. However, the visitors managed to lose the resulting line out, and the ball was shipped across to the opposite corner, and the Jersey winger crossed by the flag. No conversion, but midway through the second half Jersey had a 13 10 lead.
The game swung back in Carnegie's favour, when somebody clattered into Jonah off the ball, and was shown the yellow card. Leonard turned down the kickable penalty to go for the corner, and the reward came as the pack patiently eased their way forward and crossed the whitewash, Chris Walker being credited with the try. Leonard kicked a superb conversion from near the touchline, and Carnegie clinically closed out the game, controlling play in the opposing 22.
A final score of 13 17 was certainly a reflection of the closeness of the game. Nobody particularly stood out and it was the sort of display in which the entire team played their part, but somebody has to have the bottle of pop, so I'll give it to Harry Leonard for his faultless place kicking which in the end made the difference. A gritty display in tough conditions, and 5 or 6 weeks ago, Leeds would probably have lost the game. They are now playing with more confidence, and a few more efforts like this, and maybe a top four place is not out of the question.
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21/12/2014 11:54
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:01:06:06:39:11 by Wildwillie .
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:12:21:14:58:41 by Wildwillie .
Pleased that Leonard had a good game, but most pleased that the TEAM seem to have got it together
Happy Days
Once again, the youngsters did well and deomonstrated why they were picked.
Our goal line defence is resolute at the moment.
However before we all get too carried away, Jersey were the better team and showed more creativity and pace in the backs, especially through the phases.
It helped our cause having a prop throwing in at the lineouts and their lack of a clinical finish on several occasions, but at least they created some chances. Apart from the good old rolling maul Carnegie created nothing.
It took an absolute age to get the ball out to the backs and although Pillers didn't do anything wrong he is soooo slow.
Our backs created nothing all game which is a concern to me.
Still a winning streak is not what any of us expected a couple of months ago so the fact that we won is a massive plus and an excellent confidence boost moving forward to Worcester.
Quote:JohnnyP
Think we need to keep the context here. Reality is we were outplayed by a side on a 5 match losing streak. Bentley missed a number of crucial kicks and Jersey even declined a couple of kicking opportunities that were pretty straightforward. Both our scores were drive overs from line outs. We created nothing at all behind the forwards and look so predictable. Their needless yellow proved pivotal and eefectively cost them the win as we scored from the resulting lineout. That said an away win was really welcome even if Jersey did more to lose it rather than us to win it.
In the context of our recent league performances and the turmoil behind the scenes I think the win was just what we needed (whatever the shortcomings in the performance)
I understand the gist behind the comment but I suppose, in defence of the coaching/style etc, you have to start somewhere building results. However, methinks that if we try and take Worcester on at a forward orientated game we will come unstuck. Sometimes, in those situations, you have to throw caution to the wind a bit and back yourself. Gonna be an interesting game and, who knows, there may be a bit of festive cheer for Yorkshire supporters???
