When the likes of Harlequins and Northampton Saints had been relegated in previous years, it was assumed that these aristocrats of the rugby world would be far too strong for the ND1 opposition, and as a result, most of them didn't even try. But Leeds were viewed as there for the taking, and Exeter Chiefs, Doncaster Knights, Nottingham and others were waiting.

With a convincing win against Nottingham at Headingley in the first fixture of the season, followed by a narrow squeak away to Exeter, any nervousness amongst the hard-core Leeds fans was assauged somewhat.

The next few weeks were fairly workaday; the wide gap within the division that the RFU is now seeking to close by introducing a fully professional “Championship” meant that Leeds' next few games didn't raise much of a sweat (although Rotherham had a good forty minutes at Clifton Lane before Leeds' dominance was restored). Perhaps Leeds' best showing throughout the season was away to London Welsh, where by all accounts Leeds looked like a Premiership team in waiting once again.

As the cold winter closed in though, tougher times were ahead. Doncaster put the frighteners on the fans for a full sixty minutes at Headingley before Leeds were able to bring off the win. However the lack of the bonus point was seen as an opportunity missed, and with Exeter scoring bonus point wins every week, they were metaphorically breathing down the necks of the Yorkshire boys. With narrower and narrower wins over Bedford and Cornish Pirates, the bonus point situation was becoming a worry.

And then something pretty weird happened. Mid-December, Exeter managed the unthinkable and nearly lost a game against lowly Esher. They fought back for a 12-12 draw, but it was devastating for their season. From that point on, it was going to be plain sailing. The title belonged to Leeds.... surely?

In the new year, the National Trophy came to its fourth round stage, with Leeds drawn against Bristol's Dings Crusaders. The scoreline of 0-59 was impressive but somehow those of us that didn't make the long trip to the West Country expected more somehow. More easy wins over the next few weeks papered over the cracks, and another 59-0 win in the cup, this time against Coventry put the League and Cup double in the minds of us all.

Things aren't always what they seem. Playing Coventry again the following week, this time in the league and on a mud bog of a pitch at the Butts Park Arena, Leeds only just pulled off the win 11-15. Leeds won the following week against Esher, but only after leaking three tries – the most the frugal defence had ever let through in a match this season.

And the jitters were there in force when playing in the cup quarter-final against Birmingham, where the midlanders came to within two points of causing the biggest shock of the season. If there were any doubts that Leeds were on the ropes, these were swiftly demolished by Doncaster, who registered a spectacular win 27-12, and totally outplayed Leeds in all areas of the park. This was followed by another away loss to Bedford. Suddenly the class of the field had lost two games on the bounce, and the league title was in danger.

A tough away fixture at Nottingham for the cup semi final went a full seven minutes into added time, and the mental toughness that Neil Back and Andy Key had instilled in the Leeds lads really paid off giving a 13-14 win to the Yorkshire boys, and a trip to Twickenham to face Moseley. Having disposed of Moseley easily in the league earlier, the cup was as good as in the Headingley trophy cabinet. Wasn't it?

That self-same day, Exeter and Moseley had elected to double up their cup semi-final and league fixture, and this backfired hugely on Exeter, losing the match 32-24, and this time their title challenge was definitely finished. That week, they sacked their Director of Rugby and conceded the title. The trophy was awarded at Headingley on 11^th April after a workaday victory over Newbury. Now all that remained was the cup at Twickenham...

...but the double just didn't happen. Moseley had done their homework and put together a game-plan that worked from the off and continued to work all the way through the match. Leeds didn't really turn up and the cup went to the Brummies – and well deserved it was too.

So promotion to the Guinness Premiership at the first time of asking was the goal, and it was achieved. Sadly though, the other – admittedly less important – target of an unbeaten season and a league and cup double didn't materialise, and this has raised fear, uncertainty and doubt for next season. How can Leeds compete in the Premiership if they can do no better than scrape past the National 1 clubs? And with the announcement of Carnegie's withdrawl from ownership of the club, how does the financial position of the club affect their ability to compete next season?

I am optimistic. The connection with Leeds Met University was an interesting experiment, but one that was shaped wrongly. With Paul Caddick back in the chairmanship, we have a man who is passionate about having top-class rugby – of both codes – in the city, and he will do all in his power to ensure the investment required to build a strong Premiership is forthcoming – look out for future announcements on sponsorships and partnerships that will enable Leeds to take a further step onwards. And with Andy Key and Neil Back in charge of playing matters, we couldn't have a better coaching team to attract and energise the right blend of players to create a lasting Premiership legacy. We are already on tenterhooks waiting for some imminent announcements on recruitment.

Next season is about survival in the Premiership. Subsequent seasons will be about consolidating and moving up the table, ultimately to become a team that finishes regularly in the top four. This is some way off, but these are exciting times at Headingley, and rugby fans across the whole of Yorkshire can look forward to a golden age. Can't they?

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