MoTM: A win at last at Leeds.

I was brought up in Gods Own County and therefore should by rights be a Leeds Tykes Carnegie supporter – but I am not.  The reason is that I did not start watching rugby union until well ensconced in the soft southern midlands.  Leeds is however home to my professional football team, for my sins, but I haven’t seen them for years.  You would think therefore that I would head north to see this game.  Well I did head north but past Leeds and onto Whitby for family reasons and thus I was reduced to watching for updates on the web.2011 ap l

Who was your MoTM as Saints broke the losing streak at Leeds?

So missing this game was nothing to do with the appalling streak of losses which we have had to endure although I am sure that did deter some others.  Leeds currently sit bottom of the pile but had shown worrying signs that they were starting the second half upturn in form which last season saw them escape relegation and condemn Worcester to the drop.  As stated Saints performances over recent weeks were of a relegation standard of worse so I am sure most Leeds fans were hoping for points from this game.  It was to be the last outing before the returning International players (aka the cavalry) would come riding over the hill – but would they be needed?

There was one returnee for the Leeds game and one which I know a few people we said had been missing.  Lee Dickson was back from a broken leg to return to scrum half duties in replacement of Ryan Powell.  Now Ryan had a fair few knockers around the board and it is probably not known that for most of Lee’s absence he was playing with a knock.  It was however a big boost to get Lee back as he seems to drive the forwards on so well.

So back to me sitting at my mums and watching the score.  The fact that Leeds scored an early pen did nothing to calm my fears of another bad day at the office. Then some relief to see that Myler had gone over for a try which he then converted.  Perhaps we were playing on the front foot after all as it is rare for Stephen to score from distance.  Swapped penalties before half time meant Saints went in leading 10 – 6.  This should have calmed my nerves but I kept going back to that horror show in the second half the previous week.  Could We hold on and actually win one?

For a large part of the second half there was no score.  I was glad I was not on a blood pressure monitor as the stress levels just kept increasing.  Had the link to the game gone down?  Was I missing something? Finally after 18 minutes of the half the first score arrived and it was to the good guys.  Stress levels started reducing and when Stephen slotted another pen 4 minutes later I was actually starting to relax.  Digger followed over on 65 minutes and surely we were home.  Ok so we let Leeds score a try towards the death but I would have snapped your hand off if a 23 -13 win had been offered before the game.

So, who caught the eye?

Three people this week and I am pleased to say amongst them was Christian Day who achieved 10.5% of the votes.  Christian is a sometimes undersung member of the pack and it is good to see him getting noticed again.

In second place was Stephen Myler with just over 12% of the votes.  By this time of the season there is not much more to add to my previous comments on Stephen.  I am glad he is one of ours – oh and p.s. from this photo who says he doesn’t tackle!

The winner and by some margin was the returning Lee Dickson with over 54% of the votes.  I heard nothing but good stories about how Lee drove the pack forward – ensuring he got quick ball which allowed him to release the backs.  Astoundingly this was Lee’s first win of the season.  Well done and welcome back Lee.

Thanks to the 57 people who voted.

Full Result

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Vote History

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Players Used

So far this season we have used 36 different players.  I do notice however that after 26 games we still have 2 players who have only missed two starts.  There are six players who have played twenty matches or more.  This isn’t really rotation and could be a key reason for the sub standard performances we are now seeing.