Leeds Preview - a semi-final rehearsal

By BrianC
January 26 2005

Our last Zurich Premiership game on new years day against Worcester now seems to have been so long ago that it is perhaps easy to forget just how distraught we were after that defeat.

Distraught we were, as I’m sure were the team. This Friday gives us the chance to put things right as we travel to Headingley, the home of  Leeds Tykes for what is a crucial game for both sides. Put simply whoever loses will be in the relegation mire for what is left of the season. Should we win then our hopes of qualifying for next season’s Heineken Cup via our league position will be alive and well.

The news this week that we have drawn the Tykes at Headingley in the semi-final of the Powergen Cup adds an extra dimension to this game. 

Leeds have had somewhat of a Jeckle and Hyde season thus far. They have won only two of their six home games thus far. Both of those victories were narrow ones over opposition that  was also struggling, Worcester and Northampton. If anything they have been somewhat more successful on the road recording victories over Saracens and by 12 – 16 over ourselves last October. They are currently in tenth position in the Zurich Premiership. Crucially, only one point separates them and the two clubs beneath them in the table, Worcester and Harlequins.

Our own ZP season started quite well but more recently has run into the buffers. The Christmas and New Year defeats by Northampton and Worcester have taken the wind from our sails somewhat. A two week lay off courtesy of our early exit from the ECC appears to have helped us regroup. Certainly if last weekends cup victory  at Saracens is anything to go by.

The Tykes are always tricky opponents. This game will be no exception. Particularly given their parlous position in the ZP they will have this flagged as a ‘must win’ game. So will we, particularly that we now know it is a rehearsal for the semi-final.

On a personal note, this will be my first visit to Headingley (At least since I was 10 and went to see a test match there). The Leeds home support have built up a reputation for friendliness that I am very much looking forward to testing. A great night looks to be in store, in my case starting at the Original Oak from early evening..