By Leipziger
February 16 2008

Leeds’ under-19 side defeated their Newcastle counterparts 7-22 at Ryton RFC today, despite being completely dominated by the resurgent Falcons after the break. Both sides attempted to play attacking rugby, with only one penalty being kicked at goal all afternoon.

Leeds were awarded a penalty for crossing in the opening minutes and went 0-3 ahead, buoyed by an enthusiastic and aggressive pack which the hosts were struggling to contain.  The only real inroad the Falcons made early on was a run by Adam McKenzie on the left, with the Leeds left winger also making a good run down the left following fluent passing before being bundled into touch.

 

The first try came just before the quarter hour, Leeds passing right and the outside centre cut through the black defence to score, the conversion sailing over the posts.  Leeds’ drive was resulting in a number of penalties and after one was tapped in our 22, a second was kicked to the right corner.  From the lineout, the away openside received a hand off for the second try, although this wasn’t converted.

 

27 minutes in and 0-15 down, the Falcons saw the kick-off hacked forward by the other Leeds flanker from inside his own half to the 22.  A kick from Peter Evans, who looked shaky at full-back all day, bounced off the scrum-half’s shins and Leeds gained a scrum, from which the number 8 scored a converted try.

 

In the run-up to half time the Falcons put together their best move of the game so far, with some recycled ball across the field, and Mark Thompson made a couple of searching runs before McKenzie lost the ball, and Leeds came forward again.  A kick from the fly-half was sent right, and it looked like a fourth try had been scored until the referee stopped play for a Newcastle penalty.

 

0-22 down at half-time, the Falcons youngsters found some extra determination after the break and dominated the play, kicking several penalties for lineouts.  The impressive Aaron Hall made a strong drive for the line, before ten minutes in McKenzie took a pass on the 22 and scored a good try under the posts, much to the delight of his mother who was standing right beside us!

 

The conversion by Rory Clegg gave the Falcons renewed hope, although after Leeds cleared they stole a lineout in our half, only for their giant number 5 to be stopped by a big tackle.

 

Several replacements saw scrum-half Craig Robertson now playing on the wing, and as the Falcons moved left the number 9 found himself free but was completely ignored.  Coming inside, when the replacement scrum-half looked for him he wasn’t there, but there was cover anyway.  It was probably the first time the team showed this horrific trait which has blighted our first team this season.

There was to be no more scoring, however despite the defeat for our boys it was an entertaining game, played in a good spirit in the fresh air.  And the beer was a reasonable price too.

 

I am told the Falcons U19s do not train together whereas Leeds’ do, which might explain why it took the whole of the first half to get any cohesion together in our play.  I don’t know how often this team plays really, but it might be worth organising more games to get the undoubtedly talented individuals moulded into a team more, as after all it is presumably hoped these players will one day be gracing Kingston Park and the Premiership.

 

Any Falcons fans who have yet to experience the joys of reserve or academy rugby, get to a game – there’s less stress, cheaper beer, and the intensity and power of the game is a lot more evident than from the back of the South Stand, where I look forward to being again this time tomorrow though.