Yorkshire Carnegie
It's Grim Oop North
The people's choice.
By Haxbytyke
October 23 2010
Northerners have a reputation for their dour attitudes, and anybody who witnessed events at Headingley tonight could not have doubted this generalisation. In a game that offered little in the way of entertainment, Leeds missed the chance to gain their first win of the season when they went down by 6 points to 3 to a very ordinary Sale Sharks.
The first half was played almost entirely in the visitors half of the field, as Leeds, with the help of a stiff breeze carried on from last week and took the attack to their opponents. However, there was little penetration from the Leeds attack, and the lack of a kicker at fly half meant Sale was able to deal quite comfortably with anything Leeds could offer. When Leeds did threaten, they managed to lose the ball, either through knocks on or poor decision making, but they were given the chance to take the lead on 16 minutes when they were awarded a penalty to the left of the posts, some 30 yards out. It wasn’t a difficult kick, but Thomas pulled the effort wide, and the Sharks were let of the hook. It took 30 minutes for the visitors to gain a foothold in the Leeds 22, but they didn’t stay long, and although play returned to the other end of the field, Leeds could not convert pressure into points, and the teams went in for their lemons tied on nil points. Hardly riveting!
The second half started with Hodgson putting the ball directly into touch, and for the first 5 minutes the pattern of play continued as the hosts played in their opponents half. Oakley had replaced the injured Fourie at half time and was making his presence felt, and Leeds got on the scoreboard 4 minutes into the half when Thomas kicked a good penalty from 35 meters. The lead lasted just 7 minutes. Hodgson tried a drop goal from 30 metres which hit the post, but the referee, (who I thought had a decent enough game), was playing advantage, and from the same spot Nick Macleod booted over the penalty to level the scores.
Shortly after Sale replaced Koyamaibole, giving Leeds renewed hope, but errors littered their play and when Sale scrum half Cliff mad the only decent break of the night to put Sale on the Leeds line, the home team were penalised and Macleod converted the penalty to give the visitors the lead.
Cue replacements, Barrow, Titterell and Danny Paul entered the fray, but nothing changed. With 20 minutes left, Macleod attempted a penalty kick from 5 yards inside his own half, but despite getting the distance, the ball rebounded off the post and to safety.
Sale were beginning to control the game, and were quite happy to kick the ball deep into Leeds territory, regardless of finding touch. Leeds could not escape from their own half, and the lack of a kicker at fly half was now taking its toll.
With 7 minutes left, Leeds were awarded a penalty just 2 yards inside the visitors half, but despite facing the breeze, Marco opted for the kick at goal. Thomas had the distance, but the accuracy was lacking, and Leeds last chance to salvage something had gone. 2 minutes from time Leeds had a line out 30 yards from the line, but the throw was crooked, Leeds infringed at the scrum, and Sale ran the clock down to gain the very precious victory.
A shocking game, not a good advert for the television cameras. Leeds was their own biggest enemies, often gaining good position only to throw the ball away or concede penalties. For some reason the team are not gelling as they should, and the lack of a kicker at fly half is a serious concern. As for man of the match, well, I couldn’t believe the ESPN choice of Tuilagi, did he do anything? From a Leeds perspective, a choice, for me, anyway, between two. I thought Lee Blackett had another outstanding game, but I’d have to give the champagne to Marco Wentzel. His line out work, and al round display made him the outstanding player on the field. Unfortunately, that doesn’t help Leeds.
The match was poor, and Leeds position doesn’t get any better. As they say, ‘it’s grim up north’.
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23/10/2010 07:56
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Suffering on the Leeds and Yorkshire roller-coaster since 2001
What ever happened to a little notepad, pencil and scribblings you can't make head or tail of when you get home??
Zandra YaPoI
YaPoI - Yorkshire and Proud of It
'proficiscor in una'
Quote:Zandra LaPoI
Dictaphone, dictaphone??!!
What ever happened to a little notepad, pencil and scribblings you can't make head or tail of when you get home??
I can actually watch more of the match with the dictaphone. Should have taken the pencil and paper last night.
