With 79 minutes on the clock, Leeds held a 16 – 9 advantage, and although play was moving deeper and deeper into Pirates territory, the visitors were still within a converted try of sharing the spoils. Why we were worried I don’t know.

After an error strewn display, everything clicked into place. True, the Pirates were out on their feet, and as time ran out, Leeds took a scrum in the visitors 22, and a short pass from the good Dr. sent Scott Barrow haring between the sticks for the match clinching try. Di Bernado drop kicked the conversion, and when the restart went straight to touch, Leeds regained possession. Hinton, Hepworth, and Clark took play into the Pirates 22, and Lee Blackett was on Clark’s shoulder to take the final pass and romp over the line. This time, Di Bernado’s drop kick conversion attempt went wide, but Leeds could smell the bonus point, and they ran at a tiring Pirates defence. Goodridge, (what a fine game he had when he came on), broke through, and Leeds created an overlap, with the speedy MacDonald and Fosi waiting out wide. The ball came out, Mac sold an outrageous dummy, and went for gold. He lost his footing as he broke clear, but his forwards were with him, they drove on, and on, and on, eventually taking Danny Paul over the line to scenes of much jubilation. A bonus point that had never looked likely had worked its way to Leeds.

There had been no indication that the game would end as explosively as this, as the first half had been evenly contested, Pirates took the lead on 10 minutes, when Jones kicked a good penalty, but 15 minutes later, Leeds led 6 -3 thanks to two penalties from Di Bernado.

With half an hour on the clock and both teams doing their best to give the ball away, Leeds produced an outstanding piece of Rugby. Calum Clark, burst through a tackle just in his own half and drew the full back before sending Hepworth clear towards the South Stand. As the cover gathered, a superb inside pass to the supporting Leigh Hinton, enabled the full back to cross the whitewash and extend the lead. The Dr. converted, surely now the nerves would be steadied. For 5 minutes or so, Leeds looked like a Championship winning side, but dropped passes, poor decision making, and some shocking line out play only made their task more difficulty. Jones reduced the arrears with another penalty, and from one such lost line out, Jones cleverly chipped over the Leeds defence, only for a cruel bounce to deny him the opportunity of a clear run to the line. The half ended with Blackett taking his opposite number into touch, and a half time score of Leeds 13, Pirates 6.

The second half began much like the first, both sides sparring for an opportunity, and when the visitors did get into the Leeds half, it was a bit of a surprise when Jones tried a speculative drop kick at goal from 45 metres. However, it was accurate, and now only four points separated the two sides, and there were still 35 minutes, (plus some added time), to go.

Both sides made a raft of changes, and it is possible that today’s game set a record for the number of changes made. Both teams used their complement of replacements, while Pirates seemed to be visiting the blood bin as frequently as some of us go to the pub.

These incessant stoppages did nothing to improve the flow of the game, but as has so often happened this season, the Leeds replacements made a significant contribution to the final score. Fosi, and Villi, ran hard at the tiring Pirates, Danny Paul made good ground every time he got the ball, Scott Mathie delivered quicker ball to the backs, and John Goodridge, although only on the field for 15 minutes or so, showed a great tactical awareness and made two telling runs. Eventually the Pirates cracked, and Leeds gained the bonus point victory, but it was a game played with too many interruptions. Water carriers ran on and off the field like kids in a playground, and Mr. Roberts didn’t seem to mind spending time in the sunshine.

However, Leeds are back on top, and the maths is now straightforward. 4 wins, and promotion is theirs, and for their never-say-die attitude over the last few games, when things haven’t always gone well, they deserve it. The match attendance was 3, 806. I just hope nobody left early.

And, finally, a word for our Cornish friends who made the long journey to Yorkshire. They never stopped supporting their team, who gave their all, and were absolutely shattered and at the end, nothing but congratulations and good wishes for Leeds. True supporters all, I hope you had a safe journey home.

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