By Easyman
September 29 2004

Four in a row; top of the table. What dizzy heights the team have reached. Nosebleeds abound. The stewardesses will be around soon with the duty-free. Leeds would dearly like to bring us down to earth. Easyman ponders whether that's likely...

Since their elevation to ZP Leeds have had a number of one off victories against top teams such as Leicester but so far they have not really threatened the established order. Indeed they would have been relegated at the end of their first season but for the trials and tribulations of Roth. However they continue to produce the unexpected

as they did at Reading on Sunday when the defeated Saracens.

Like all other teams the squad has been restructured; the departed included Dan Scarborough to London Sale, Clive Stuart-Smith to Worcester, and Aaron Persico to Agen, along with six others. However they have recruited well and now include in their squad Dan Parks, a talented open side flanker, Ryno Gerber and Pierre Uys from South Africa, Chris Bell the U21 centre from Quins, Mark McMillan a young scrum half from Scotland and John Dunbar from Falcons.  They are very excited about a new young winger Tom Biggs with natural flair who scored a very good try on Sunday  beating Scarborough to score it. To these they have added Tim Stimpson who has had a very difficult past year in France and has only just regained fitness.  He was able to make a first appearance on Sunday at Sarries when he came on as a substitute in the second half. Finally the very talented Iain Balshaw has yet debut having been injured at Bath.  I think the “balance sheet” of players has been strengthened.

I have little doubt the Sale will be heavy favourites for the game as the facts are there for all to see; top of the table and unbeaten whilst Leeds are in near the bottom with only  one victory and six points. Leeds have never beaten Sale, the best result being a draw at Headingly when all those who made the journey witnessed a very poor display from Sale. Our away form suggests this is unlikely to be repeated on Sunday.

We were literally “on fire”on Sunday and the players will be eager to repeat that performance again (though I hope they don’t repeat some of those outrageous passes)

On the other hand Leeds will be motivated to repeat Sunday’s success and move up the table and they surely would like to beat us and will see this as a great opportunity. They also badly need to build up their support base, hence the double header with the Jets and Leeds as a curtain raiser.  This has not been done before a ZP match to my knowledge.

I am reluctant to pick teams but I will willingly go out on a limb with one selection; Woodman Bruno,and Sheriden to start with Titters on for the second half.  They are undoubtedly our best pick as they showed against Listeria. In any case the squad will almost pick itself

Being a Tyke, but long exiled in Cheshire, I want to see Leeds prosper but not at Sale’s expense. This is the nearest club to Sale and may in some ways be described as almost a “derby”.  I expect Sale to win but it will be a tight match with our new virtues of minimal penalties and high tackle rate. Both the team and supporters will want a five pointer and I think it is in our grasp. No doubt Leeds will think differently and  do everything in their power to stop us.