Yorkshire Carnegie
Rout, Rumble or Ruin?
By Andy Brown
February 13 2009
So, a fairly routine, easy victory for Leeds last week against a reasonable but not exactly earth shattering Coventry side. The final score doesn't really do Coventry any justice in that their work-rate alone deserved to get something out of the game; to be "nilled" by any opposition - no matter how much better they are perceived to be - is the ultimate rugby humiliation.
So there will be, if nothing else, a fair bit of pride at stake for the Coventry boys going into the match tomorrow. Sitting comfortably mid-table and with their immediate money worries apparently behind them, Coventry really only have that pride to play for.
Leeds, on the other hand, have everything to play for. While they are eight points in the lead, Exeter are not letting up the race for promotion, and are refusing to concede. Leeds need to take five points away from the Midlands come Saturday evening in order to extend that lead and really put the pressure on; the fact that last week's game against Coventry was one of only two EDF National Trophy games to go ahead last week means that Exeter will not be playing in the league this week, and so a thirteen point lead is surely the only definition of success for Leeds this week.
Looking at the Coventry messageboard, there is some cynicism about the shape of the team that Coventry will put out on Saturday. There have been murmerings and mutterings about last week's 22 not being the strongest, and that therefore the club had already conceded the EDF tie before a ball was kicked.
As I say though, whatever the motivation was last week, this week in front of their own crowd they will want to do better and even if only pride is the factor, I expect the 'Negies to find them a tougher prospect down south. So it won't be a rout.
Leeds have their own mini-crisis; all this season we have talked about the rotation policy and the depth of the squad. Certainly the number of injuries we have had in the team that have blighted the league form have been small. Wherever there has been a long lay-off, we have had excellent candidates to fill the shirt and what's more make the returning player fight for his place in the first XV.
However, last week saw the worrying sign of Pete Bucknall limping off with knee trouble, and with Fosi on the long-term list we are beginning to look a little threadbare in the prop department. Andy Key is in the market for a prop or three on loan, and this should be an area of concern to us all.
That being said the pack was pretty dominant last week even after the substitutions, and I don't think we should have too much to worry about in that area.
This week in the backs I would expect to see Our 'Enry starting again at 12, with Heppy outside him again. I imagine Blackie should have another crack at Coventry as he absolutely monstered everything ahead of him last week - my MoTM for what it's worth! I'd like to see Hints at full-back again this time, but as to the half-backs I really can't make up my mind as to who is having the best time of it; the fact that it is so close to call is most definitely a good thing.
So, with quality to chose from all over the park, and with Coventry seemingly not knowing who their best fifteen is, it should be a good win for Leeds and not a ruinous loss.
So, worryingly, going by my own title for this article, I've ruled out a rout, and I've ruled out ruin for Leeds. That just leaves....
... Hmm. Watch the yellows, lads!
My Selection would be:
1. Mac, 2. Plug, 3. Tommy, 4. Penders, 5. Kearnan, 6. JD, 7. JR, 8. Pudding; 9. Shark, 10. Albi, 11. Blackie, 12, HP, 13 Heppy, 14. Sparky, 15. Hints.
Reps: 16. Bunny, 17. Rawly, 18. Big Erik, 19. Little Murph, 20. Bedders, 21. Brooky, 22. Goody
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13/02/2009 11:52
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Still a Tyke - whatever the name!
