Early Tykes Substitutions

In the first few minutes of the game, Leeds were awarded two penalties from Falcons errors. The first penalty was awarded within the first minute, as the Falcons appeared to knock on from a Leeds lineout. The second penalty was awarded for Falcons coming in from the side. When the ball was retained in the Leeds half, the Falcons came close to scoring, through Joe Shaw who unfortunately knocked on close to the line which resulted in Leeds penalty and the ball returned back into the Falcons half. While the action was going on in the Leeds half, the Leeds team were forced to make a substitution as Phil Christophers went down with injured leg and was replaced by Gordon Ross.

This substitution rearranged the Tykes backline, with Ross slotting in at flyhalf, and had an impact within the Leeds team. Within a couple of minutes of Ross coming on, Leeds broke through the Falcons defence and scored a try through. Ross was able to add the conversion and the score was 7-0.

From a lineout after the restart, the Falcons were awarded their first penalty of the match and Dave Walder was able to slot the ball between the posts to get the Falcons on the scoreboard. Soon after the restart, Leeds were again penalised and this was for pulling down in the lineout. Again Dave had his kicking boots on and was able to score another three points. This left the gap to just one point, and it gave the Falcons a sense of confidence. Soon after this penalty the Falcons were awarded yet another penalty and this was for Leeds not rolling away in the tackle. Dave went for the posts and converted. This left the score at 7-9.

Newcastle Falcons were able to turn the ball over ran deep into the Leeds half, the ball was recycled out to Jon Dunbar who juggled with the ball, then dropped it and knocked on. This was a frustrating moment for the Falcons. Leeds didn’t manage to clear the ball into the Falcons half and it was caught by a Falcon who ran into Leeds half, the ball was recycled out to Dave Walder, in the 26 minute, slotted the ball neatly between the posts for a drop goal. This edged the lead for the Falcons a little and the score was 7-12.

After the restart Michael Stephenson tackled the Leeds player into touch and the lineout for the Falcons was simple and Nick Makin was able to hit the man. The Falcons were then awarded a penalty as Leeds had too many in the lineout. Walder didn’t manage to clear Falcons half and play remained in their half. The lineout from Leeds was long and Leeds were awarded a penalty as the Falcons were coming in from the side. The Leeds pack had a powerful drive and managed to drive the Falcons back into their own half. Resulting from the scrum, Leeds were awarded a penalty and Ross decided to go for posts. Ross was able to convert and the score was now 10-12 with only eight minute remaining of this half. Falcons were awarded a penalty, as from Leeds lineout, no one caught the ball. The drive was yet again powerful and this was testing the Falcons defence. The Falcons managed to turn over the ball and Tom May was able to clear. The pressure was off the Falcons for a bit. However in the 38th minute, the pressure seemed to return as Leeds managed to leak through the Falcons defence to score a weak try, through their captain Palmer. Ross was able to add the conversion and the score was 17-12.

Falcons' restart went deep, and Leeds were knocked into touch. The lineout from the Falcons was quick and simple. Leeds were awarded put in the scrum, and the ball was recycled to Gordon Ross who sliced the kick into touch in their own half. The lineout from the Falcons was long and the end result was the put in to the Falcons. Again Dunbar came close but unfortunately fell short of the line. The Falcons were awarded a penalty from this phase, as Leeds weren’t rolling away from the tackle. With it being the last kick of the half, Dave decided to go for posts and was successful, 17-15 at half time.

Half time score: Leeds Tykes 17 Newcastle Falcons 15

Both sides made no substitutions during the break, and the half started off with Leeds getting a penalty, which was taken quickly by Ross who could only find Joe Shaw who cleared the Falcons half. From the lineout, Ross knocked on resulting in the put in being to Falcons. When the ball was recycled out, the Falcons managed to lose the ball and it was turned over. After sustained pressure, Falcons won a scrum. After the ball was recycled to the backs, Tom May was able to break through the Leeds defence to score a try.

This was a result from superb hands from Warren Britz and poor tackling on Leeds behalf. Dave, unfortunately missed the conversion, and the score was 17-20. Rob Andrew was pacing the touchline at this point in the game and he didn’t appear to look happy at the way in which the referee was handling the game. The Falcons made substitutions at this point, Matt Thompson came on for Nick Makin and Geoff Parling came on for Andy Bruist who made an impact on his debut. Leeds appeared to be persistent to get through the Falcons defence. This paid off, as Leeds were awarded a penalty as Falcons were penalised and Ross was unable to convert. After the restart, Leeds clearance kick was charged down and Hugh Vyvan made a break. Unfortunately the Falcons seemed to ‘mess it up’. The penalty resulted in the Falcons being back in their own half. The Leeds backs showed they had pace and were able to out smart Michael Stephenson and Joe Shaw, which resulted in a soft Leeds try. Ross was able to add the conversion.

After more substitutions by Falcons, they were awarded the put in as Leeds turned the scrum ninety. The Falcons came close to the Leeds line. The ball was recycled out to Michael Stephenson who scored a try and Dave was able to add conversion. The score 24-27.

A restart from Walder was a tap kick and this resulted in Falcons getting out of their own half. It resulted in a scrum to Leeds, which turned ninety and this ended up the put in being to Falcons. Another substitution was made, this time Joe Shaw came off to make way for Daryl Liley. From the scrum, Dave sliced the kick, which amused the Leeds fans. After frustrating times with scrums, Leeds were eventually awarded a penalty, as the Falcons appeared not to be rolling away from the tackle. However, the nerves must have got to Ross and he sliced his kick, which made the play still in Leeds half. Craig Hamilton missed handled the ball and knocked on, Leeds put in.

Leeds were yet again awarded another penalty as the referee penalised the Falcons for apparently not rolling away. Ross went for posts and the score was even at 27 all. After much hassle after the restart, Falcons were awarded a penalty, which the supporters didn’t approve of. This didn’t put Dave Walder off, as he slotted the ball between posts leaving the score 27-30. After the restart, the ball was passed to Hall Charlton who was knocked into touch. It resulted in the Leeds players and Falcons getting frustrated. The referee decided to award the penalty to Leeds, and Ross converted. The referee blew for full time.

Final score: Leeds Tykes 30 - Newcastle Falcons 30

After speaking to many of the players after the game, they all showed they were frustrated with the way the game was handled and they didn’t comment on how the referee handled the game.

Nick Makin described the game as “frustrating” while James Grindal commented on ont eh performance:

"We stuck at it well, another day and decision could have gone our way. We could have finished of some more moves in first half."

The Teams

Leeds Tykes

15. Matt Cardey, 14. David Rees, 13. Tristan Davies, 12. Andre Snyman, 11. Phil Christophers (5, Gordon Ross), 10. Duncan Hodge, 9. Alan Dickens, 1. Michael Cusack (62, Gavin Kerr), 2. Rob Rawlinson, 3. Gary Powell, 4. Phil Murphy (78, Stuart Hooper) , 5. Tom Palmer (c), 6. Matt Salter, 7. James Ponton (78, Scott Morgan), 8. Colm Rigney

Newcastle Falcons 15. Joe Shaw (66, Daryl Lilley) , 14. Tom May, 13. Jamie Noon, 12. Mark Mayerhofler, 11. Michael Stephenson, 10. Dave Walder, 9. James Grindal (57, Hall Charlton), 1. Ian Peel (32, Marius Hurter), 2. Nick Makin (51, Matt Thompson), 3. Micky Ward (57, Joe Shaw), 4. Andy Buist (51, Geoffrey Parling), 5. Craig Hamilton, 6. Jon Dunbar (80, Ben Woods), 7. Warren Britz (57-66, Ben Woods), 8. Hugh Vyvyan (c)

Scorers

Leeds Tykes

Tries: Snyman, Palmer, Davies
Conversions: Ross (3)
Penalties: Ross (3)

Newcastle Falcons

Tries: May, Stephenson
Conversions: Walder (1)
Penalties: Walder (5)
Drop Goals: Walder (1)

Referee: D. Rose

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