Yorkshire Carnegie
Leeds Batter Plymouth: View from the East Stand
Yorkshire pudding or ball
By Andy Brown
December 9 2008
OK, so this review is a little on the late side. By now you will all have read reports from the professional journos that were there in force in the Headingley press box, and will know all the actual match stats. I won’t be boring you here with that stuff again. I will, however, be boring you with my thoughts (such as they are) from what I saw at the game on Sunday.
The Match
I’ve always thought of Plymouth as being one of the top sides in the division. Certainly prior to the game, while confident of a win, I wasn’t too sure it would be a five-pointer. I was worried that an abrasive and well-coached Plymouth side could expose attacking deficiencies in the Leeds side in the same way Doncaster and Bedford did a few weeks ago. As we all know, I needn’t have worried. For some reason the Devonians played a very limited game and were outplayed everywhere on the park for all but the first ten minutes. Arguably this was more to do with Leeds being a little lackadaisical when first coming out of the dressing room rather than any great display from the Plymouth team; surprising given this season’s norm of scoring tries before the opposition can blink!
The Performance
In terms of individuals, no one had a bad game. Goody’s slow release kick was charged down and this led to the first opposition try, but things like that happen – provided it doesn’t happen too often it can be quickly forgiven and he most certainly didn’t put a foot wrong thereafter. Jason Strange at fly was as solid as he has ever been, although I always get nervous at his place kicking – is it me or does he kick it in such as way as to make it sound like he’s trying to hoof an undercooked Yorkshire pudding over the sticks? Joe Bedford deserves credit as he was always sniping around the fringes, keeping the Plymouth lads on their toes, and Jonny Hepworth had another of his better games. This site has given the poor boy a bit of gentle ribbing about his passing along the line (or the lack of it), and he either had been reading these comments, one of his coaches had, or, perhaps the more likely of all the available scenarios, he woke up that morning thinking “this passing the ball to someone else mullarkey. I wonder if it works? Lets try it today!”. And so it came to pass – several of the tries we scored came directly from Jonny’s dancing feet creating the space, and then a lovely pass to put his outside man in. Keep it up Jonny-boy!
The Referee
Not the best we’ve ever seen at Headingley, but not the worst either. In the immediate cut and thrust of the game I admit that I get as annoyed as everyone else with my perceptions of injustice and poor decision making. But I think provided consistency is maintained for both sides, then it’s something that can be worked with. I thought he was consistent in general, but I have severe doubts about Plymouth’s second try, given the arrival of so many forwards in at the side of a ruck, right in front of the ref and with only inches to go, I was astonished it was allowed to continue. I thought at that point we had one of those refs who had just come away from a junior match and felt it was “a bit unfair” to have a one sided contest. That one dubious incident aside, however, he was probably more annoying than wrong.
The Crowd
We were cold. We got considerably colder once the sun went in. But the small number of people huddled together for warmth had some good banter on the terraces, with cries of “holding on!” and other such witticisms ringing across the pitch every time a Plymothian laid hands on the ball. It was an enjoyable experience, without being dully repetitive (e.g. scoring tries every couple of minutes against Esher) nor heart-thumpingly tense.
The Stadium
With the South Stand out of operation, it was a bit galling to see the signs up saying the West Terrace was out of commission as well, due to “icy conditions”. With a bag of grit, a couple of brooms and some likely volunteers, surely it wasn’t beyond the wit of the stadium management to get this cleared for people to use that part of the stadium? I know for a fact very many of the regulars would have been only too glad to help. A poor show, and something that I think exhibited a bit of thoughtlessness in the management. Sorry guys, must try harder!
The Verdict
As has been already said on the messageboard, this was a good display by the team. Some things to work on, some things to hold on to, but this was a good performance, a good five points in the bag and a good workout prior to the visit to Nottingham next Sunday. It’ll be tougher there, there’s no doubt, but I’m confident a good win away from home will be the outcome.
If you want to see a real report, giving stats and stuff, find it on the Leeds Carnegie official site by clicking here, or the Yorkshire Post site by clicking here.
Digg
Delicious
Facebook
Reddit
Stumbleupon
09/12/2008 00:09
I thought I saw some development within the team as regards intelligent rugby . Myall`s run towards the posts in the first half .. always looking for the offload ... but aware of the gap opening up in front of him .
Also the patience shown working the ball up and down the line in the 2nd half , waiting for the opportunity without panicking .
This I think led to less knock-ons and less passes to fresh air . We have always been able to make the initial break , even in the GP , but then usually butchered the chance .
Signs of us becoming much more cohesive as a team and therefore more dangerous.
Well done the coaches
