Yorkshire Carnegie
Who wants to be a millionaire?
Dangerman Walker?
By Haxbytyke
April 22 2010
As the teams enter the final straight with two hurdles left to jump, Leeds and Newcastle have a slight lead from Sale, and these three have pulled 5 points clear of a fading Worcester. The next hurdle could well decide who will be sampling the delights of Rotherham and Moseley next season.
It is one of those strange curiosities that this weekend these four clubs come face to face with each of them having the chance to stake a claim for survival.
On Friday evening, the Falcons visit Edgeley Park, and the winners can take heart in the knowledge they will be safe for another season, but for the losers, there will be a massive interest in what happens in LS6 on Sunday afternoon, when the Warriors have what could be their last throw of the dice in their bid to stay in the premiership.
For our own Leeds Carnegie, this is being billed as the £1 million pound game, as avoiding relegation will enable the club to receive this amount and put them on an equal footing with the remainder of the premiership.
Just another rugby weekend then? Well err.. no. Something has to give. At this moment there are numerous permutations as to what can happen, but as far as Leeds are concerned, anything from a draw upwards will be enough to see us retaining our position among the elite. To be going into the penultimate game of the season in 9th place would have been more than acceptable at the beginning of the season, and our destiny is very much in our own hands.
Last week’s magnificent, and deserved, victory at London Irish has provided a cushion which means that whatever happens on Sunday, Leeds cannot be bottom of the heap with only one game to play, and on current form we have no reason to believe that Sunday will not deliver a victory for our blue shirted heroes. Wuss have lost their last two games, both at home, and incidentally, games that the so called experts and pundits tipped them to win. They have spent a fortune since they won promotion to the GP, but they have been annual strugglers at the bottom of the league, flirting dangerously with relegation over the last few seasons. The Warriors rely heavily on Willie Walker to keep the scoreboard ticking over, and if Leeds don’t concede penalties, it’s difficult to know where their points will come from. Their fans are unhappy with the coaches, and some of the team selections, and this is not what a struggling team needs.
On the other hand, despite our struggles, the Leeds faithful have thrown their support behind Neil Back and Andy Key in a bid to retain what we have. I don’t envisage too many changes from last week’s victorious team, with the exception of Calum Clark being ruled out with injury. That being the case, I would happily settle for Tom Denton starting the game, with Kearnan on the bench if fit, and also Leigh Hinton, taking the place of Henry Paul on bench warming duties. The one other change I would make is to recall Tommy McGee into the squad in place of Phil. Swainston. This is no reflection whatsoever on the young players’ ability, but last week he came very close to getting a yellow card at a crucial point of the game, and this week our discipline has to be exemplary.
So all eyes will be on these two games, and it’s time to stick my neck out and make my predictions. Friday’s game, will, I am sure be tense, and riddled with mistakes, but I believe home advantage will see Sale home by 10 points, and leave Newcastle sweating in eleventh position. As for Sunday, I just have the feeling that there is so much wrong in the Worcester camp, that if Leeds can get a good start, we could be in for a bonus point win, and condemn the Warriors to relegation. I could of course, be wrong, and there could still be three teams in danger going into the final round of games.
Whatever, I hope the fans of all four clubs get behind their team this weekend, and that on the day the best teams win. Good luck to all of them, especially our very own LEEDS CARNEGIE!
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22/04/2010 08:00
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The first Leeds Tykes child mascot...#leedswasps0203season. #cheersbentos
I hope that the boys are confident without being complacent. We can't afford another Quins game, and we don't want to find one last banana skin in the locker.
There is no reason that we should not win this game, provided that we keep our collective heads and remember all the good displays we've recently performed. If we can defend like we did last week, keep calm (and the penalty count down), and play to our strengths (especially in the set pieces) then Sunday should see our GP future assured.
Marching on TOGETHER!
COME ON YEW TYKES!!
Half of me is really looking forward to Sunday the other half just wants it over.
I’m hoping there will be adequate medical cover on Sunday as I’m not sure how much more excitement we can take!!
Great Isn’t it?
Waiting for the good times ...
..and waiting ....
... and waiting ...
Quote:Bran
also I dont agree with best team wins, so long as we winn, I dont care who deserves it.
Very sporting of you Bran. I am with Rocky's Dad in his plea for medical attention.(Must be an age thing)
Is there space behind Rocky's Dad for two Warriors fans?
Tony Warrior & Konverted
It's going to be one hel-of -a medical queque
The first Leeds Tykes child mascot...#leedswasps0203season. #cheersbentos
Good luck Leeds!
Zandra YaPoI
YaPoI - Yorkshire and Proud of It
'proficiscor in una'
Go out there detirmind and do the stuff.
Good preview too.
Pain is only temporary but victory is forever
C'mon you Tykes!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:04:22:22:24:48 by Rocky The Tyke.
