Blue Shirts, Blue Fingers and Blue Language!

The Leeds forwards were however in the ascendency, and a rampaging Rhys Oakley was denied a score by a last ditch tackle by the Bedford full back Harries. Leeds's 2nd try came on the half hour, a strong catch and drive from 5 meters out saw Calum Clark get his name onto the score sheet.The last minute of the first half saw Leeds playing expansive rugby in the Bedford half and at this stage a bonus point looked to be in the offing. 

Tom Biggs emerged from the 2nd half, not for the first time with clean socks and knees,and at times he must wonder whether this is a 15 man game. He rarely gets passed the ball and it was left to man of the match prop Tommy Mcgee to let loose the speedster who rounded Harries to score in the corner. Biggs showed yet again that he has sublime finishing skills, but with Johnny Hepworth tucking the ball under 1 arm and frequently ploughing his own furrow, chances to show them are very limited. With the tricky conversion missed the score stood at 19-3 and the bonus point looked assured with a good 30 minutes still to play.

Bedford had other ideas and their defence held solid. Frequent indiscretions saw the penalty count rise against them. The off side law was flouted regularily and Bedford's No 9 was very good at disrupting clean ball at the base of the scrum. He played the referee well and although not always guilty Mr Fox certainly missed some glaring infringements. With the clock ticking down Leeds nearly scored but Welding was pushed into the corner flag. Further penalties saw Billy Twelvetrees sin binned and now Leeds seemed to lose their heads. With repeated penalty scrums making no inroads into a good Bedford defence a kick to the corner may have altered the lines of attack.However it was Bedford who got the last score pouncing on a loose Leeds ball which gifted a try to Harries.

For the second week a bonus point was not won but both matches were against good ND1 teams. Bedford were comprehensively outplayed and never looked like scoring points, and Leeds should have put the matter to rest early in the 2nd half. Conditions were not good but it seemed bad decision making was the real culprit. The set piece worked well but yet again it seemed that the backs took the wrong decisions on when and where to pass.

There is an air of confidence and professionalism in Leed's play this year and we sit top of the league unbeaten. However at times the Carnegie Express chugs laboriously, but I have now doubt that the engine drivers of Key and Back will resolve the problems.....