Yorkshire Carnegie
Speechless
Harry Leonard
By Gelbel
January 19 2015
For 74 glorious minutes Yorkshire Carnegie played the best rugby I have had the pleasure of seeing them play for many seasons. And then they still never really played badly – there was just one poor decision, one missed tackle and one moment of madness that left me speechless.
When I arrived at Ashton Gate I was delighted to hear the stadium announcer announce that Bristol were, for their next two games only, wearing their red away kit at Ashton Gate. “That’s a result,” I thought, “A mini victory so we can wear our lovely blue away kit.” And I truly thought that was the only thing we were going to get out of that match.
Then kick off happened. And while to start with Yorkshire Carnegie were on the back foot, Bristol’s decision making and ball handling was akin to our performance at Headingley against Plymouth. Admittedly Yorkshire were defending brilliantly with everyone in position and doing their job – just as Tommy asked – but they stopped Bristol playing and had them making mistake after mistake. It was all very scrappy and not much of a spectacle and the crowd were unusually quiet.
Harry missed an early penalty that had resulted from our first trip into the opposition’s half but converted Jonah’s fantastic try – scored as he batted off several defenders to cross the line. There was more defending from Yorkshire under immense pressure and more errors from Bristol who only managed one score for all their possession at half time. Andy Robinson walked passed me seconds before half time and he was spitting feathers.
At the start of the second half Yorkshire came out all guns blazing and Jack Walker scored. 5-14 and it was getting even quieter. Pressure from Bristol came to nothing time and again but on the hour mark they scored another try but did not convert. 10-14 and heading into the last twenty minutes. But instead of Bristol going on the rampage, Yorkshire did! Williams charged over after a barnstorming break from Harris. I hardly had time to shout: “We want four”, when we did - with Clarke diving over from a pass from Lucock who got himself on the end of a great pass from Jonah. Leonard converted both. 10-28. The Bristol fans were silent. A chance for a bigger lead was missed and I looked up to see there was ten minutes left. Bristol fans started leaving, first the odd one or two, then in their droves.
Yorkshire were defending superbly again but the wall was breached and it was 17-28. With less than five minutes to go Yorkshire were awarded a penalty; and it’s here I think the wrong decision was made – we kicked to touch and did not take the tempo out of the play and chance to extend the lead. The attack came to nothing as Bristol won turnover all and Lemi scored from 60 yards with no conversion it was 22-28. Yorkshire were defending again and did pick up a few penalties but managed to come away with the ball and Georgiou was so very nearly away.
Bristol attacked again in what could only be the last minute of the match and Jones found himself in the bin. A maul formed from the line out pushed the Yorkshire defence back and back and back and eventually the try was scored. Morgan had missed two kicks from a similar position already in the afternoon but made his conversion rate 50 per cent and broke Yorkshire hearts.
I’m frustrated, proud, annoyed, delighted and speechless all at the same time. Speechless from being 18 points up with ten minutes to go, eleven points up with five minutes to go and shouting as loud as I could to support the lads; proud and delighted from seeing a performance we’ve dreamt of. Some players had their best ever performance in a Yorkshire Carnegie shirt; Jack Walker, Smith, Williams, Pilgrim and Leonard. Doc had his best match for a long time – apart from not being able to bring down Lemi. Jonah put his body on line stopping Perinese in his tracks and knocking him flying – to the shock of the home crowd, he is massive. I’d exchanged banter with a Bris fan when he said that Pilgrim was taking ages and earwigging the referee – I wonder who was doing that for us last season? Talking of which, Hampo’s not quite so small anymore; he’s packed a bit of muscle on.
I’m gutted for the lads – although for the third time in a row they lost match the should’ve won, it was more from Bristol deciding to play as they can more than anything. Their fans could not praise us enough – especially our defence and can’t understand why we’re so low in the league. If we play like we did at Ashton Gate we’ll be unbeatable the rest of the season. It really was outstanding and, hand on heart, I never expected it for one minute. Tommy McGee is a blooming marvel for turning this team round – it’s not just him though, it’s the rest of the coaches and the squad of players – they’ve all had to dig deep to find that performance.
It would be so easy to say about them losing after being so far ahead – don’t. There weren’t many of us there – I saw Beeston Lion, heard one other shouting for Leeds; they and whoever else was there will tell you to look forward to the Moseley game. I’m off on the postponed holiday so I’ll miss it but you’re in for a treat – that spirit will be bottled and let loose at Headingley – enjoy – there’s plenty more of it to come. You heard it here first.
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19/01/2015 14:42
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:02:03:17:11:58 by Gelbel.
I too expected us to get nothing from this game, and if you'd have offered me a losing BP & try bonus before the game, I'd have bitten your hand not to mention your whole arm off. Shows what I know and am so pleased we gave it a good go.
This augurs well for the rest of the season and although the lads must be gutted, if we can take this performance into the rest of the games, the remainder of the season should be enjoyable
Talking to Bristol fans around me they conceded that the best team had lost and were surprised, given our current league placing. Francis Cummins attendance may mean that we are about to get a further helping of League originated coaching other than that offered by Brian McDermott although the offloading worked a treat on a copule of occasions at Ashton Gate. My favourite was that from Ben Harris to put Jared Williams in, after a hard working Harry Leonard recovered a ball lost backwards by a colleague a took it into the red zone for Ben Harris to work his magic.
Certainly not the battering myself and plenty of others anticipated. As Carnegiette says, if we'd have been offered two points before the game I think we'd all have taken it.
With regard to the turned down penalty opportunity, was it easily kickable?
I look forward to a good end of the season, setting things up for a formidable 2015/16.
The future is bright!
Eat your heart out PaddyTaf
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2015:01:19:20:11:12 by almostatyke.
Quote:leemingtyke
With regard to the turned down penalty opportunity, was it easily kickable?
It was easier than the first penalty he missed, but he missed a second in a similar spot but on a par with a couple of the conversions.
Not only would it have used time, we'd got the ball back at the kick-off or drop-out. Incidentally, with Bris's conversion attempt our boys did a good off-putting charge-down led by Doc each time. Perhaps not so determined for the last, and only successful, attempt - bit of shellshock perhaps?
Quote:GelbelQuote:leemingtyke
With regard to the turned down penalty opportunity, was it easily kickable?
It was easier than the first penalty he missed, but he missed a second in a similar spot but on a par with a couple of the conversions.
Not only would it have used time, we'd got the ball back at the kick-off or drop-out. Incidentally, with Bris's conversion attempt our boys did a good off-putting charge-down led by Doc each time. Perhaps not so determined for the last, and only successful, attempt - bit of shellshock perhaps?
Hmmm,
Not wanting to take away from what sounds like a vastly improved performance but stuff like that is basics and it narks me that we always seem to make the wrong call.
Tommy should introduce a rule that if we are less than 14 points up and we get a kickable penalty then we go for the posts - simple as that. Take the decision, and a little of the pressure, away from the captain.
Having seen the highlights, it doesn't show the two kicks we turned down, but it seemed harder to miss the one we did take than it was to kick it. Given that would have made it 10 -31, then I would argue that was the definitive moment.
COME ON LEEDS.
We've been through it all together.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:01:19:23:00:47 by Haxbytyke.
Quote:leemingtykeQuote:GelbelQuote:leemingtyke
With regard to the turned down penalty opportunity, was it easily kickable?
It was easier than the first penalty he missed, but he missed a second in a similar spot but on a par with a couple of the conversions.
Not only would it have used time, we'd got the ball back at the kick-off or drop-out. Incidentally, with Bris's conversion attempt our boys did a good off-putting charge-down led by Doc each time. Perhaps not so determined for the last, and only successful, attempt - bit of shellshock perhaps?
Hmmm,
Not wanting to take away from what sounds like a vastly improved performance but stuff like that is basics and it narks me that we always seem to make the wrong call.
Tommy should introduce a rule that if we are less than 14 points up and we get a kickable penalty then we go for the posts - simple as that. Take the decision, and a little of the pressure, away from the captain.
If only it were as simple as that!
And we should know, person with a gun, shoot them!!! However, we know, it is not always as clear cut as that!
Zandra YaPoI
YaPoI - Yorkshire and Proud of It
'proficiscor in una'
Quote:Zandra YaPoI
If only it were as simple as that!
And we should know, person with a gun, shoot them!!! However, we know, it is not always as clear cut as that!
That's just it though Zan, most of the time I reckon it is that simple. In the rugby I mean.
I know what you're saying - suppose the opposition are down to 13 men and you're 5 metres short of their try line.
You can give the captain a veto if you want but make it clear that if he decides to use it he will have to justify it afterwards.
I reckon some rules of engagement wouldn't go amiss if it helps us to make the right decisions. I don't think the rule of minimum force applies on the rugby field though!
Great objective report Gel!
“Andy Robinson, Bristol’s director of rugby, appeared almost apologetic towards Carnegie and their coach, Tommy McGee. “You’ve got to feel sorry for Yorkshire Carnegie today,” he said, “They deserved to have won the game.”
With 73 minutes on the clock, Carnegie led 29 – 10. The Yorkshiremen had been just about everything Bristol had not up to that point: dynamic, smart, disciplined. When they touched the ball in attack, it looked as if they were going to score. Bristol by comparison, were error-prone and lacking rhythm. But then something changed.
Quote:leemingtykeQuote:Zandra YaPoI
If only it were as simple as that!
And we should know, person with a gun, shoot them!!! However, we know, it is not always as clear cut as that!
That's just it though Zan, most of the time I reckon it is that simple. In the rugby I mean.
I know what you're saying - suppose the opposition are down to 13 men and you're 5 metres short of their try line.
You can give the captain a veto if you want but make it clear that if he decides to use it he will have to justify it afterwards.
I reckon some rules of engagement wouldn't go amiss if it helps us to make the right decisions. I don't think the rule of minimum force applies on the rugby field though!
Wish it did though.......!
Zandra YaPoI
YaPoI - Yorkshire and Proud of It
'proficiscor in una'
Well played YC, glad to see you back to last season's form.
On a separate note...
It always saddens me to see supporters leave before the final whistle. I never have. Not because I'm an eternal optimist but because anyone wearing a shirt I'd never be good enough to wear has earned my respect, win or lose.
I'm glad we didn't meet you in last season's playoff semi-final and I'd rather not meet you in this one!
Best of luck for the rest of the league season.
