Time to break the spell
By OptimistHax
September 11 2013
The 2013/14 Championship season kicks off this weekend, with a difference. An extra fixture, to be played on a neutral ground, has been added to the list, and for Leeds Carnegie that should hold no fears at all after spending much of last season travelling across Yorkshire to play their games.
As they did last season, Leeds travel to take on Nottingham first up, but this time they make the relatively short journey to the welcoming surroundings of Doncaster’s Castle Park, and they will be hoping they can break a couple of hoodoos that haunt them, first game syndrome and winning at Doncaster.
Leeds last won their first game of the season in 2008, when they beat….Nottingham 34 – 19, in front of a crowd of 3,703 at Headingley. It is worth pointing out, that Leeds remained undefeated that season until March, when they suffered their first reverse, at, yes you’ve guessed…Doncaster.
2009 started with a 9 all draw against the Falcons, but since then it has been defeat after defeat. Indeed, Leeds has not won a league fixture at Doncaster since they triumphed there by 30 points to 16 on February 17th 2007. It is fair to say the odds are stacked against a winning start this time around.
Leeds started the last campaign by playing scintillating rugby at Meadow Lane, and had raced into a 20 points to 3 lead in the first 20 minutes, but a succession of silly errors allowed the hosts back into the game, and Leeds had to rely on the home kicker missing a fairly simple kick at goal near the end of the game to come away with a losing bonus point.
With no news regarding injuries available at the moment, it is hard to guess which 15 will take to the field, especially in the forwards. It is fair to say we have excellent cover in almost every position and there will be fierce competition for the starting jersey. For what it’s worth, my pack would be Lockwood, Freer, Tussac, Green, Myerscough, Beck, Rowan and Burrows. Whoever sits on the bench may feel unlucky, but when they do come on, they are not going to weaken the side.
Sadly in the backs we do not have such luxuries. McColl, Burden Griffin, Docherty, and Hughes are automatic choices. Holmes, or Goss, will fill the 14 shirt, and Hampson or baby Doc. will start at scrum half. Whichever of these four miss out will sit on the bench, and it is a major concern for me that we lack decent cover in the backs. Let us hope none of these gets injured.
Whatever happens on Saturday, there are another 22 games to go, but a good start never goes amiss, so now is the time to break the spell of opening day fixtures, and visits to CastlePark. An intriguing afternoon is in prospect, as by the time Leeds kick off, Moseley and Roth. will have already locked horns, and we will have had the chance to weigh up a couple of the supposedly weaker teams we will face later on. But the season begins for us, when Leeds and Nottingham take to the field and combat begins.
Games against Nottingham are never easy, but if we are to be serious challengers for at least a play off spot, then games like these have to be won. My team selection is based on how the team played at the end of last season, and, hopefully they should be good enough to come through this first test. Leeds to win by 12.
I hope those of you who can go have a great afternoon, make the most of the Donny hospitality, and enjoy the game.
GOOD LUCK LEEDS
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:09:18:13:11:04 by Gelbel.
First game of the season? You don't even mention the horrors of Glos at Headingley or Irish at HOME at Twickenham... But still this time, this time could it all be different? If we start like we finished last season we will win- of that I'm confident. What are Notts like anyway - have they lost players? Can they match what they did last year?
I like your selections. It's something when Harris and Im aren't starting.. I hope they've all got the hang of the new rules. Do you think we're going to be fed some loans from Sale for the backs?
It's going to be a tough match. But I think it'll be exciting and I can't blooming well wait!
I feel that, on Saturday as we are not playing Doncaster, we will do quite well at their ground playing Nottingham. I am expecting a tight game, good atmosphere and a win.
Not forgetting cow pie!
Like yourself I predict a Leeds win and, if I could find an online bookies that gave odds on the Greene King IPA Championship, I'd put money on it!
Quote:jonny 5
,,, Myerscough in the back row.
?????
Quote:WildwillieQuote:jonny 5
,,, Myerscough in the back row.
?????
Must be more injuries then. Beck, Walker, Rowan and Buzz would surely be in front of Myerscough for back row shirts if they were fit.
(1) I watched the pre-season against Donny...we scraped a win in extra time...not really sure if we deserved it?...Donny were unlucky and played some consistent and positive rugby...and we were erratic...but a win is a win.Conclusion= we need to be 100% better at this jinx of a ground!
(2) As yet I remain undecided about our new head coach ? I listened to the Radio Leeds interview on Thurs and heard more than a wee bit of uncertainty and hesitation.... and a reliance on players to take the initiative....and whilst I think some humility and delegation are definitely a very good thing in a new job... we are also looking for a dynamic understanding of the game and strong leadership...which hopefully will come in due course?
I am prepared to give everyone a good chance... but in terms of promotion potential this is a defining season for Leeds as I see it....so I hope that JL's 'feel for the game'soon flowers into some 'nourishing wins' and puts to rest a nervous disposition.
Long season or not...to push on from our win over Falcons at Headingly Leeds realistically need to take 4 out our first five games...and have no hesitation showing Nottingham our best intent.
Bonus points last season saved our bacon...lets hope we do as well this time round...and are not left with a bag full of pork scratchings!!
Hoping for a convincing 5 pointer on Sat...but in truth haven't really got a clue??!!