Yorkshire Carnegie
Quins Nick It
Grrrr!
By Martyn Horwell
December 8 2009
Once again, Leeds Carnegie failed to build on a bright start when they went down 27 points to 30 in an entertaining encounter against Harlequins. Appropriately enough, given the time of year, it was the visitors two Nicks who proved the difference between the teams. Easter and Evans controlled much of the game, especially the last fifteen minutes or so as Quins ‘defended’ in the Leeds 22.
Leeds had taken the lead on 3 minutes when Ford and Barrow combined to send Welding over by the posts giving Ford an easy conversion, but within two minutes, Evans reduced the deficit with a penalty, The visitors took the lead on 11 minutes, when they chose to run a penalty on the Leeds 22. Although they messed it up, ‘Sir’ decided they had gained no advantage, and from the resulting restart, pressure on the Leeds line resulted in the Quins pack rolling over the line for a try which Evans converted. Joe Ford landed a good penalty kick to level the scores, but 20 minutes into the game came an incident which in many ways reflected Leeds season so far. Ford failed to find touch with a penalty. A Quins defender caught the ball, and from my viewpoint appeared to step backwards into touch. The officials saw otherwise, and while the home side seemed confused, the visitors took a quick throw, and aided by some comical defending, raced 60 yards upfield where Lowe crossed for a try. The conversion made it 17 – 10 to the visitors and once again a lapse in concentration had cost Leeds dearly.
On 29 minutes, Danny Care was sent to the bin, and immediately Leeds hit back. Good work by Blackett and Rabeni earned a penalty which Joe Ford slotted over, but despite having an extra player, more slack defending on the fringes allowed Robshaw to bury his way over from close in. Evans duly converted, and the players went in for their lemons with the visitors holding a healthy 24 – 13 lead. This was increased just after the restart when Evans kicked another penalty. Leeds now gained some momentum, and applied pressure, but a lack of penetration, meant they seldom looked like scoring. Ten minutes into the half, Leeds did reduce the deficit, when Wentzel won a line out close to the visitors line and good work by Blackett saw Myall force his way over. Ford converted, and Leeds tails were up. Poor decision making by Rabeni gave away a penalty which Evans converted to increase the visitors lead again, but Leeds came back, and Clark, Myall, and Denton combined to send the latter racing for the line, only a desperate cover tackle denying him the score. However n 52 minnutes Leeds found touch with a penalty, and once again Captain Marco took the throw and good support play saw another Leeds score, with Calum Clark being credited with the touchdown. Ford expertly added the extras from the touch line, and Leeds had 28 minutes left to rescue the game.
One or two promising positions were lost due to over enthusiasm, and at this point the experience of Easter and Evans took over. With Easter masterminding the set piece, Evans skilfully kicked into the corners forcing Leeds to play in their own 22. Evans hit the post with another penalty, but there was no escape, until with just 2 minutes to play. Leeds won a penalty which took them to halfway. With the majority of the 5090 crowd urging them on Leeds controlled the ball just inside their opponents half, but instead of gaining ground to possibly give Ford the chance to take a drop kick, Leeds were forced backwards, and he game ended with Leeds knocking on some 10 yards in their own half.
So another defeat, and again due to lapses in concentration, some weak defending, and a lack of penetration in midfield. For an hour Leeds were as good as their illustrious opponents, but the 20 minute switch off proved costly. Marco Wentzel was my Man of the Match, with mention to to Clark, Myall, and Denton who worked manfully to cover the loss of Fourie and To’oala
Finally, a word for the officials. For 30 minutes the referee was dire, and inconsistent, for the entire game the touch judges were appalling. That’s more coverage than they deserve.
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08/12/2009 00:06
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It's been interesting reading the comments about the referee at last Friday's game. It seems everyone sees these things from their own team's perspective. 'Twas ever thus.
Quins second try is a case in point. I've just watched the game highlights from ITV4 on-line - and George Lowe catches the ball with both feet in touch before the quick throw. To me. it wasn't even a close call.
The footage is three minutes in to the recording here (click on the appropriate link):
[www.itv.com]
Mind you, Danny Care's "tackle" doesn't look great (but it certainly wasn't a spear). Really hope Leeds stay up.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:12:08:06:40:46 by DerbyQuin.
