By Leipziger
February 11 2013

A poor second half performance by the Falcons almost allowed Leeds to cause an upset in Otley yesterday, but in the end the defence got our boys out of jail and made it 14 out of 14 in the Championship.

With a slender lead at the end of the first half, the Falcons seemed content to let the Yorkshiremen come at them in the second half and nearly came unstuck under Cardigan pressure, but in the end did just about enough to get the four points.

It wasn't pretty. Many will blame the pitch as seems to happen every week now, though I hope that in the dressing room Dean Richards didn't. Whatever, we are now 15 points clear at the top of the table.

The Falcons started off well with an early Jimmy Gopperth penalty, the team having the backing of probably the majority of the crowd. The away fans were in good voice in the first half despite the midday start meaning only half an hour of drinking time in the ground bars.

There was more to cheer when Tom Catterick sped across the field and towards the left, dropping a pass to Ryan Shortland who darted through the defence for the first (and as it turned out only) try of the lunchtime.

Leeds hit back with a penalty by Joe Ford and the game but the Falcons had most of the first half, attacking the open terrace where only a few hardy souls stood. They stayed there for the second half too, or at least were replaced, while most fans congregated in the alternative South Stand opposite.

The roof on that was not perfect mind – near the front was one particularly large hole in the corrugated iron.

Chances were few in the first half but there was plenty of commitment and a smart game plan to keep the ball down in Leeds' half. Though the Carnegiens broke a couple of times, the away defence stood firm, while the Falcons were also unable to get any more points in the first 40.

The second half was not an enjoyable one from a Geordie point of view, and it showed as the travelling fans (well, the travelling Newcastle fans) became restless and the fluorescent hats occasionally gained encouragement.

Former young Falcon Fred Burdon had probably the best try-scoring chance of the second half, breaking through towards goal but having nobody on his shoulder when he was tackled just out from goal. A let-off.

But, gifted possession and territory repeatedly by some frustrating Falcons clearances and non-chases, Leeds probed and Ford kicked his second penalty to make the scoreline an uncomfortable 6-10.

The Falcons managed to put their first serious attack of the second half together with a scrum on the 22 but to the disappointment of away fans, Gopperth pointed to goal. Even more disappointingly, he missed.

A penalty did restore our seven-point lead soon afterwards, but Ford replied to ensure a nervy final few minutes.

Eventually we were able to kick the ball out and breathe relief at a tight 9-13 win.

An away win is never a bad result, but the Falcons would have had nobody but themselves to blame had Leeds taken the win yesterday, as they deserved to for a dominant and spirited second half.

Maybe on Friday the real performances will start.