..and they were lucky to get 14!

Generic shot of Hendrie
By Martyn Horwell
September 14 2008

After opening wins against two of the more fancied sides in ND1, Leeds entertained near neighbours Otley on a spring like afternoon at Headingley, and with the visitors having suffered defeats in their two previous games, the hosts were looking to collect a 5 point win to strengthen their push for promotion.

As is the norm now with Leeds, we didn't have to wait long for the first try. Di Bernado had kicked a second minute penalty and when Leeds won a scrum 10 metres from the Otley line and swung the ball quickly to the right wing a try was inevitable. Unfortunately for Leeds it was Otley winger Smith who intercepted the final pass, and he raced 90 metres to touch down underneath the crossbar. However, just 4 minutes later Leeds were back in front after quick thinking by Di Bernado. He took a free kick and raced through a gap, chipped over the full back and collected the ball to score between the posts. He duly converted, and then added a simple penalty.

Scott Mathie made a good break on 23 minutes to apply more pressure, but once again, when the ball was worked acrosss the line, Oakley dropped the ball with the line at his mercy. Otley were then reduced to 14 men when Baldwin was sin binned, and on 27 minutes Leeds did score again when Armstrong had all the time in the world to pick up a stray pass and stroll over in the corner. From the touchline, Di Bernado's conversion drifted just wide, and as a result his 100% kicking record for this season had gone.

Otley did miss a penalty kick at goal in a rare visit into Leeds territory, but when they were penalised, and Di Bernado found touch close to the Otley line, Leeds won the line out, and Fourie peeled away with the ball and burrowed his way through for another try. Di Bernado was again on target, and Leeds went into the break with a lead of 25 points to 7.

The second half began much like the first had, with Leeds taking the play to Otley, but good breaks by Rawlinson and Lund came to nought when the ball was dropped. In the 44th minute, the visitors full back was sent to the sin bin after taking Oakley out of the game, and his side were punished when Mathie made a darting run to the line, and when he was stopped, Fourie was on hand to crash over for his second try of the game. It was Fourie's last contribution as he went to the blood bin following a clash of heads, but he would not have been in the dressing room before good play down the South stand side of the ground saw Rob Vickerman run 40 metres to cross in the corner. Vickerman turned provider shortly after, when he broke through the defence, but realising he did not have the pace to go himself, kicked the ball across field where Armstrong was following up, and he duly collected the ball and crossed in the corner. Di Bernado kicked the touchline conversion and Leeds led 44 - 7.

Leeds then appeared to switch off again, and were punished when from a scrum on the Leeds 22, Otley number 8 Baldwin who was in the thick of everything, worked a neat move from the back of the scrum and charged 20 yards to cross midway between the posts and the corner flag. Rhodes converted, but in the last 10 minutes Leeds aded two more tries. A terrific run by Dunbar set up the position for Leeds to spread the ball wide for Welding to score in the corner, then Dunbar broke again for Vickerman to run 40 yards and cross after selling an outrageous dummy to the Otley full back. Di Bernado converted both tries to give a final score of Leeds 58, Otley 14.

While the game never reached great levels of skill it was entertaining to watch, and in general was well refereed. Leeds will face many sterner tests over the coming months, but they did a professional job, although at times in the first half they were a little impatient, and not going through the phases. As for the visitors, it will be a long hard season. They showed plenty of effort, but no great skill. When they had the ball they were very predictable, and on this showing, they must be candidates to make a quick return to ND2.

The sponsor's MoM went to Alberto Di Bernado, and there were a number of candidates. John Pendelbury provided Adam Balding like leadership and inspiration, Erik Lund was a tower of strength, but my vote would go to Andy Boyde, who's work rate throughout the entire game was outstanding.

3 wins out of 3 and things are looking good. Next week its Rotherham away, and another feisty derby game is in prospect.

..and they were lucky to get 14!

Posted by: TykesRugby.co.uk (IP Logged)

Date: 14/09/2008 23:12

..and they were lucky to get 14!