The time is now

By Leipziger
February 25 2011

This is it, the first half of our relegation double-header with the Yorkshire Cardigans.  With us currently three points ahead of Leeds in the table, this is probably a slightly bigger match for them than us, however the effect of the result on the confidence and morale of both teams should not be underestimated, therefore a win is absolutely vital.

Leeds are reeling from a 39-0 hammering at Saracens on Sunday, but before that they gained a losing bonus point at home to Leicester in a game that by all accounts they could have won.  Their previous home match was their only league win of the season, at home to Gloucester 15-13 on New Years’ Day.

Other than that, Leeds have been beaten at Headingley by Bath, Saracens, Sale and Wasps in the Premiership in 2010/11, while Sale, Stade Francais and Gloucester have triumphed there in cups.

Too bad our away record isn’t better really, we haven’t won a single match away this year (we might have beaten Bourgoin but we’ll never know).

Or record in Yorkshire has deteriorated over the years from winning five of our first six visits to Leeds between 2002 and 2005, including the February 2003 meeting won by Hall Charlton’s unforgettable last-minute try, and drawing the other one.  Since then, we lost on a depressing Friday night in 2008 before a 9-9 draw on the opening day of last season.

Whatever has gone on in the past though has to be forgotten.  These 80 minutes could define not just the two clubs’ seasons, but go down in their histories.  Defeat for either team is not an option, but for one it is likely to be.  We just have to make sure it is not us.

Therefore this is one game when the players need to give it absolutely everything, and should things not turn out the way we want them to, at least make sure Leeds know they have truly earned their victory.  Any players who need motivating for a game like this, any players who return to the dressing room at 7.30pm on Sunday without the knowledge they have given absolutely everything, are in the wrong business.

Those of us who will be at Headingley on Sunday have a responsibility to cheer and sing as loud as we can, as much as we can.  Let the boys know that they are not alone, that we are behind them and that we will not shirk the effort required, just as we expect them not to.  We’re not called ‘supporters’ because we are supposed to sit in silence and politely clap occasionally.

For those of you who can neither get to the game nor watch on TV, while having your tea on Sunday spare a thought for the lads who are putting their bodies on the line for your team.  Positive energy won’t hurt anyone.

We need the spirit of Bristol, the spirit of Sale.  T minus two days and counting!

Falcons team:

15 Jeremy Manning

14 Luke Fielden

13 Luke Eves

12 James Fitzpatrick

11 Alex Tait

10 Jimmy Gopperth

9 Micky Young

1 Jon Golding

2 Matt Thompson

3 Kieran Brookes

4 James Hudson (captain)

5 Andrew Van der Heijden

6 Tim Swinson

7 Will Welch

8 Ally Hogg

16 Rob Vickers

17 Grant Shiells

18 James Hall

19 Mark Wilson

20 Redford Pennycook

21 Hall Charlton

22 Tane Tu'ipulotu

23 Tom Catterick

Leeds team:

15 Ceiron Thomas

14 Lee Blackett

13 Henry Faafili

12 Scott Barrow

11 Michael Stephenson

10 Lachlan Mackay

9 Warren Fury

1 Mike MacDonald

2 Phil Nilsen

3 Phil Swainston

4 James Craig

5 Marco Wentzel (captain)

6 Kearnan Myall

7 Dan Browne

8 Alfie Tooala

16 Scott Freer

17 Gareth Hardy

18 Gareth Denman

19 Sean Hohneck

20 Danny Paul

21 Scott Mathie

22 Adrian Jarvis

23 Luther Burrell