There was a festive atmosphere as we made our way from Kingston Park station in conditions that would have made Torville and Dean wary, and there was a decent gathering of Carnegie supporters in the ground when Marco led his troops out.

Mr. Rose got proceedings under way, and it was no surprise, given the ref’s previous Chuckle Brothers displays, (to you, to them, to you, to them) when Gopperth and Thomas traded alternate penalties to give a score of 9 - 9 after 34 minutes. During that time, both sides had periods of ascendency, with Amesbury looking dangerous for the hosts when he got the ball, but Leeds moved forward as a unit, and they too had moments of good pressure. Although never more than 3 points behind, Leeds had not held the lead, and things looked dodgy just after the half hour mark when Fourie went off, to be followed by Thomas as soon as he had kicked his third penalty goal.

The rain was now driving down, but that didn’t stop Joe Ford, in his pristine snowman white shirt kicking deep into Newcastle territory, where Tait, (its behind you), made a complete horlicks of the catch, and dropped the ball in to touch inside his own 22. Leeds took the line out and drove forward, going through many phases, and when they won an advantage in front of the Falcons line, play continued. Our own Three Kings, Lund, Wentzel and Myall drove in before the Leeds forwards drove King Alfred (To’oala) over by the posts. Ford converted, and Leeds were 16 – 9 to the good at the break.

Would it be another Sale, albeit an early January sale? Within 7 minutes, Gopperth reduced the arrears with a penalty, but Leeds stormed back and applied concerted pressure on the Newcastle line. Unfortunately, they conceded a penalty, and the Falcons cleared the danger. A look at the clock showed 15 minutes left. Snow was falling all around us, Leeds defending, its no fun, (thanks to Shaking Stevens for that one), Joe Ford, who looked as if he’d played for years cleared the danger, but with 10 minutes remaining, Henry Paul ran in front of a Falcons player who had kicked through, and although the referee didn’t spot it, a touch judge did, (must be the first thing one of them has spotted all season), and Mr. Rose, appropriately for the time of year, gave Henry a card. Gopperth slotted the penalty between the sticks, and news came through that Bath had beaten Gloucester. Villi entered the fray, and despite calls from the Leeds fans that Leeds were playing in white, his first throw was long, and to a black shirt.

Leeds managed to get into the visitors half, and with 9 minutes remaining they were awarded a penalty some 35 yards from goal. Unfortunately there was incessant booing from the crowd as Ford lined up the kick, and he pushed his attempt wide. Considering the amount of time wonder boy Jonny used to take, this was poor and unnecessary behaviour from the home fans.

Both sets of supporters were in full voice, and when Newcastle won a penalty on half way they kicked deep into Leeds territory. Leeds took the line out, but couldn’t escape from their 22, and when Newcastle regained the ball, they used the phases to work a drop goal position for Gopperth. Less than a minute showed on the clock, but Leeds were resolute and disciplined, and when the ball did find its way back, it was ankle height and the opportunity was gone. Still Newcastle pressed, and after what seemed an eternity, they dropped the ball, Gomersall whipped it back to Ford, and he sent it in the direction of Whitley Bay.

A magnificent display, and every Leeds player who stepped onto the pitch can hold their heads high. It was cold, indeed, I thought at one pint Leigh Hinton was going to do an impression of Al Jolson singing ‘Mammy’, as he shook his hands about trying to keep warm. Unusually, Andy Gomersall played the whole 80 minutes, and although his kicking at times could have been better, he cajoled the team into making sure they did what they had to. For that reason only, he would get my Man of the Match award in what was a tremendous team effort.

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