Blimey! That's Better!
By apb
November 21 2005
I don't really have to go through the whole description of the match do I/ You were all there weren't you? Mind you, I can't blame you if you weren't, since this has been an absolutely appalling start to a season for Leeds.
But hopefully the appallingness is over now, and we can look forward to some high class, entertaining, skillful, and - most importantly - winning rugby over the next few months.
The Game In A Nutshell
A penalty kick by Goggsy after just two minutes put Leeds in front, and some good flowing phases kept the pressure on. A couple of penalties were exchanged between Ross and Reihana, and then Leeds went a little bit to sleep for a few minutes; enough time for All Black legend Carlos Spencer to bag himself a try, and for Vilk to kick ahead a loose ball and claim the rewards minutes later. 17-6 and it looked pretty bleak.
Tykes were, however, playing with considerably more heart than they have done, and Roland de Marigny and Andre Snyman got the Tykes right back in it and made the score 20-17. A rush of blood to the head found Spencer stamping at a Leeds player in a ruck, and he was sent to the dug out to think about what he'd done. A long range three-pointer from Ross sent the Tykes in 23-17 to the good.
After half-time, it was nip and tuck all the way, with both teams attempting to play the free-flowing game that many would like to see; it was error strewn, but entertaining. A Tom Palmer try put the Tykes in a commanding lead, but a penalty to Reihana and an unconverted try by Mallon got the Saints back to 28-25 with just minutes to go.
It seemed destined for at least a draw when Reihana was given an opportunity to level the scores after a decision for a late tackle, but Reihana's kicking boots were firmly back in the changing room and he shanked it badly. The final seconds of the match saw what looked like a promising push for the bonus point try repelled just yards from the Saints line, and then this was returned right back to the half way, with Leeds scrapping to hold on. A couple of mistakes in possession nearly let the unthinkable happen, but the Tykes defence held strong one last time for a monumentally good win.
Thoughts
I thought that there was something about the team that said "we're not going to let this one go" throughout the match; Sam Wheeler in the YP has said that the "Rabble" that played at Bristol had become a team. He's right of course. Everyone was pulling together, and that was the big difference.
I thought Chris Jones looked better than ever and deserved his place, and no matter what his critics think, I'm glad he's with us. Gordon Ross too repaid the faith shown in him at fly with a good kicking display, and an interesting mix of options (for a change) that kept the opposition - and sometimes, unfortunately the team-mates - guessing. Justin Marshall was sound, although he did seem to take an age to let go of the ball on occasion, but it was interesting to see him popping up in the centres at regular intervals. It looks as though there's a recognition that he's a target man, so why not move him about a bit and keep the opposition guessing?
The scrummage was good, the back row was good; Jordan Crane had another blinder, as did Andre Snyman. Although Doherty didn't get a chance to shine in the way we know he can, he was certainly there to put the frighteners on the opposition and played the supporting role very well. Rob Rawlinson had a fantastic game, and is really doing all that's required to keep Gordon Bulloch firmly sat down on the bench.
As a team, it was great to see them trying - and achieving - different things. The same old running lines and patterns haven't worked, so they tried something else this time, and by and large it worked.
This was not the best performance these men can put in, but it was easily the best they've done this season, and if they put in the effort, and mix it up in the way they did this time, there is no doubt that an inexorable climb up the Guinness Premiership is about to begin.