Leeds Crush Cash-strapped Cov
!!!
By Martyn Horwell
October 20 2008
On a cold blustery afternoon in LS6, Leeds Carnegie eased back to the top of National Division 1 with a clinical victory over troubled visitors Coventry. Coventry arrived at Headingley apparantly in some turmoil, having sought a postponement of the game earlier in the week, but they gave a spirited display
...and despite being outplayed for long periods of the game, they themselves enjoyed 2 or 3 periods of pressure on the Leeds defence, but they lacked the 'nous' required to penetrate a very good Leeds defence.
Leeds kicked off towards the Carnegie stand, which was populated by a few irate 'southstanders', and although Coventry cleared to halfway, Leeds won a scrum, and when Hinton made a break, a clever reverse pass to the supporting Tom Biggs saw the winger run in from 25 metres to give Leeds a 2 minute lead. Inexplicably, Di Bernado missed a simple conversion, but he hit the target just 3 minutes later when following a 60 yard dash by Myall, Leeds worked the ball across the line, for Hepworth to race through a yawning gap, and sprint 30 yards to cross the whitewash.
Leeds were rampant, but some poor kicks gave away posession, and when Coventry applied pressure in the Leeds 22, they eventually worked the ball across the line for Donovan Sanders to cross for a try. The conversion was missed, and this was to be the only time Coventry troubled the scorers, although they did miss a simple penalty kick at goal a few minutes later. This was a costly miss, for within 60 seconds a mazy run by Hepworth saw him give a pass to Tom Biggs, who went over from 10 yards out. Di Bernado converted, but Coventry came back again pressing the Leeds line, however the defence held firm, and with 32 minutes on the clock, more good Leeds passing saw Welding make good ground in front of the empty South stand, before offloading to Hendrie Fourie, who took 3 or 4 visiting defenders over the line with him. Another conversion, the bonus point secured, and Leeds should have increased their lead right on half time, when they created a huge overlap on the left wing, but Murphy chose to go it alone, and the chance was gone.
Leeds went in for their half time Bovril 26 points to 5 up, and as the teams emerged for the second half, so did the sunshine. It only took 2 minutes for Leeds to score another try, this time a fine handling move from inside their own half, involving Hinton, Rawlinson, Hinton again, and Welding saw Danny Paul on hand to cross the line at the side of the posts. Again an easy conversion was missed, but Leeds led 31 - 5 and Coventry looked depleted. Biggs then had a long run down his wing only to see the final pass go to ground, but almost immediately, Leeds won a scrum on the visitors 22, and when the ball was moved wide, Henry Paul gave an astute inside pass to Tom Biggs who raced in for his hat trick. This was converted, and the next few minutes were disrupted by both sides making replacements, but on 57 minutes, another good bout of passing saw Richard Welding cross in the corner. This saw the introduction of Mike Macdonald, and his first involvement was to scatter defenders to leave a huge gap for Scott Barrow, who drew the full back before giving Johnny Hepworth a clear run to the posts.
With 20 minutes still to play, the crowd of 2972 waited for the flood gates to open, but Coventry fought a manful rearguard action, and it was another 10 minutes before Myall burst clear from 50 yards, and although he was stopped just short of the Line, Welding was on hand to coss for yet another try, Di Bernado converted, and that completed the scoring.
The last few minutes saw good Coventry pressure near to the Leeds line, but they had given their all, and had neither the energy, nor the class to score another try.So it finished 57 - 5, and considering the very difficult swirling wind, and the cold weather, this was a decent performance by Leeds. They are back on top of the tree, and should comfortably stay there after next weeks trip to lowly Esher.
There were quite a few contenders for Man of the Match, the sponsors choosing Tom Biggs, but for me Kearnan Myall stood out today with some powerful running. He is now beginning to look like the player of two seasons ago, and that can only be good news for him and the club.
And finally...... I hope all the 'southstanders' enjoyed their 'upgrade'!!! It was good to see so many of you in the 'posh' seats.
PT
Waiting for the good times ...
..and waiting ....
... and waiting ...
I noticed SL was there again, stood at the back, and realise he has a long term connection with the club. I wonder if he watches games like that and questions the difference between us now and last year under his mangement- and how he would do things differently after his 2 years at the helm. We are a very different team, for being together for longer, the coaching changes, as well as the league we are in.
In fact APB, there's a coup for LCSA.
'an evening with Stuart Lancaster'......
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:10:20:15:29:46 by Bran.
I could have done that better, and likewise looked at some and think
'they got that wrong'
Thats why i thought an evening with could be quite a good idea.
either way it was good to see he still has an interest in the club
Good Review there but do also agree 'Pudding' should have had a mention in it though he too had a good game once again but yes a good review I have a feeling we rif raff from the proper stand will be upgraded again (Next time though I'll be in a Leeds top I can assure you)
Some say he has a Tykes flag with team signatures on.
Others say that he's doing the same to the Carnegie flag,
All we know is that he's called Leeds carnegie signed flag.
Some say he has a Tykes flag with team signatures on.
Others say that he's doing the same to the Carnegie flag,
All we know is that he's called Leeds carnegie signed flag.
enjoyed the game especially seeing forwards and backs running good lines onto well-placed passes
Biggsy was back to his old self and on fire - his wind resistance profile (and presumably his weight) greatly reduced by a sensible haircut. 'Rice' also had an excellent game
Interesting to be (temporarily) back in the North Stand but was gven the worst seats in the house! May have to follow Soupa Leeds' advice and move from Carnegie Terrace to West Stand for the next game though I suspect Donny will be a little tighter on the defence than poor Cov were (I hope the winger who bouncd off Biggsy in the 1st 10mins is ok - poor lad looked decidedly groggy!)
Off to Esher next Sat - will take some piccy's and try to upload them for viewing here
looking forward to the Premiership next Season already...!
I am glad Biggsy is back like he was last season in the BBC interview Back said that Andy said to Biggsy to up his game so he listend and went looking for the ball.
Pain is only temporary but victory is forever
looking forward to the Premiership next Season already...!
When I was a boy Gay meant Happy.