Everybody was in great heart following the result from Moseley yesterday, and after a slow coach journey, and a decent pint in The Trent Navigation pub, we made our way into the ground, where a steward informed our small band that flags were not allowed in the ground. After removing the poles the flags then continued there journey to find a spot half way up the main stand, level with the 22 at the family stand end of the ground. The Leeds contingent were scattered like confetti, so once it again it was going to be difficult to give the mass support the lads needed in this vital game.

Notts. kicked off, and if anyone had any doubts about who wanted this game the most, it didn’t take long to find out. They both did. Leeds made the first break with Tom Biggs gaining 20 yards or so before kicking the ball in to touch, and the signs were good. Six minutes in, and following a tackle on Henry Paul a skirmish occurred involving most of the players on the field. Unsurprisingly, Craig Hammond was involved, but to everyone’s amazement, it was Notts. who gained the penalty. Two minutes later, they were at it again, only this time the penalty went to Leeds, and both captains were spoken to by Mr Doyle. Leeds made a horlicks of the line out, but Notts. dropped the ball, and again Biggs went on a 20 yard run his chip ahead going into touch. 11 minutes in and Hinton found himself isolated against a Nottingham kick, and when he dropped the ball Tim Taylor broke away. 2 tacklers converged and appeared to have him covered, but he broke free and scampered twenty yards before diving joyfully between the sticks. David Jackson converted, and once again Leeds found themselves chasing the game. Leeds reduced the deficit when Jason Strange converted a penalty from 25 yards, but they should have fallen further behind when Nottingham missed a straightforward drop kick attempt just after. However on 29 minutes, Jackson did restore the lead with another penalty, only for Jason Strange to bring the score back to 10 – 6 when he converted a penalty for Leeds.
Leeds were now starting to play the game in the hosts half of the field and began applying pressure in the Nottingham 22, and two minutes before the break, the ref had had enough of the persistent infringing from Nottingham and Matt Parr was sent for a ten minute rest.

With the extra man Leeds continued to press, but spurned two chances to score in as many minutes just before the interval. Firstly, Bedford went down the blind side from a scrum, but with Lee Blackett unmarked outside him, he passed inside to Rhys Oakley who dropped the ball with the line at his mercy. Having regained the ball, Leeds switched play to the opposite wing and created an overlap, only for Henry Paul’s pass to Biggs go into touch. So 10 – 6 it was as the lads went in for their lemons, but it could have so much better with a bit more composure.
Notts. restarted the game still with 14 men on the field, but they extended their lead on 43 minutes when Jackson kicked a fine penalty from the half way line. Leeds immediately missed the chance to  reduce the lead when Strange missed a long distance penalty kick. However Leeds were now defending in their own half, but they were up to it, and just when it appeared they had weathered the storm they conceded another penalty 45 yards out. This time Jackson missed the target, and shortly after this, Mathie and Di Bernado replaced Bedford and Strange. Within minutes the good Dr. had reduced the arrears to 13 -9, and Dunbar and Ma’asi replaced Oakley and Rawlinson. Villi soon made his presence felt, charging through at a ruck to concede a needless penalty 35 yards out. Jackson’s attempt hit the post and bounced to safety, so it was still only one try separating two very closely matched sides. When Di Bernado put  a clearance straight into touch, it looked as if it wasn’t going to be our day, but shortly after Tommy McGee, who had had a fine game was replaced by Fosi, and he caused havoc, both in the scrum, and in the loose for the rest of the game. When Leeds were awarded a penalty some 45 yards out, Di Bernado elected to kick for goal but his attempt was well short, and with Nottingham tackling everything that came at them, tensions began to rise. Leeds were camped in the Nottingham 22, exactly the reverse of our earlier league fixture, and applied incessant pressure. Nottingham infringed frequently, and once again Mr Doyle had enough, and despatched Joe Duffy to the bin leaving Notts. to play out the game one man short. Six successive scrums were reset as Leeds applied the pressure, but no penalty try was forthcoming, and when Leeds lost the ball, it seemed that would be that. However two clearing kicks were charged down, and Notts.could not escape their own 10 metre area. There were 47 minutes showing on the clock when Nottingham threw into a line out close to their line. Somehow, Leeds scrambled the ball back and worked it across field where Blackett looked certain to score until a desperate tackle kept him out. The home defence though was stretched to breaking point, and when Mathie fired a pass infield, the ball worked its way to Vickerman in oceans of room out on the left. The cover came across, but Vickerman kept his nerve and took a defender with him as he planted the ball over the whitewash. Nottingham couldn’t believe it, the Leeds players and fans were ecstatic.

Unfortunately, as Di Bernado prepared for the kick the home fans sent a crescendo of boos around the stadium, and while they were very disappointed, this unsporting attitude spoilt what had been an outstanding cup tie. The kick missed, it didn’t matter. The whistle went, and Leeds had booked their place at Twickenham.
Were Leeds lucky? I’m not so sure. They defended well when they had to, and spent the last 20 minutes of the game in the hosts 22. Both teams missed a couple of penalties, and Nottingham had the chances to clear their lines at the death. Mr Doyle wasn’t too popular with the home fans, but considering the explosive start, he kept a firm grip on a game that had everything a cup semi final should have.

The Leeds replacements, as they had against Exeter, all made a massive contribution. It wasn’t a game for individuals to stand out, but if I had to give a Man of the Match award to a Leeds player, Erik Lund would get my vote. Also a word for Tim Davidson who did a lot of the ‘dirty’ work and could be well pleased with his first full start. Having said that, well done to all of them, these lads just don’t know when to give in.

Twickenham, here we come!

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