Yorkshire Carnegie
Time to run rings round the opposition
Small prop - big heart!
By Gelbel
January 31 2012
As we enter the last month of the regular season our thoughts turn to our near neighbours down the M1 – Nottingham. Having seen Leeds return to winning ways and coming from behind in a very strong second half performance against the team that were second in the league, our heroes’ confidence must be riding high.
However, despite only Bristol having more wins in the Championship, Leeds are not scoring tries and, in doing so, bonus points, and vital league positions, are going begging. We are too reliant on Bell’s boot to keep the score board ticking over to win matches. Having the opportunity to score penalties means things are going right; that the team are putting the opposition under pressure to infringe. But I’d rather Bell was trying for conversions rather than capitalising on other teams’misdemeanours.
So what do Leeds do to launch an assault on the higher reaches of the table to give themselves the best possible start for the play-offs? I’d like to see Lockwood and Mustapha start in the front row. They came on against Bedford and gave the scrum, which gave a solid performance, some oomph and mobility. I would then expect Aulika, our new Tongan prop, to come off the bench. And who knows, he may continue with his excellent try-scoring record during his debut. I’d still start with Tom Denton (hurrah that he’s served his one match ban) and keep Pendlebury’s recovery coming along nicely by bringing him on at 50 minutes. I’d also keep the same starting line-up for the back row – Beck and Rowan put in great displays, as did Burrows; whose passion is there for all to see. At some stage I’d expect our other new signing, Williamson, to come on. As he was thinking he was retiring, he will be chomping at the bit to make his mark - and I like the sounds coming out of his interviews. In his post-match interview with BBC Radio Leeds, Diccon Edwards commented on the strong line-out against Bedford. I found that odd – I thought we lost too many of our own on Sunday. This needs tightening up, it’s been a strength of late. Why was Hohneck’s right arm heavily strapped – sign of carrying a niggle? Interesting that he was trussed up and the line-out lost its recent form.While we did win some against the head, we must retain the ball when we have it.
Speaking of which – when Ford launches a kick, we need the team to actually chase it. We won’t score tries if we don’t have the ball. When they did bother to chase kicks in the last quarter, it produced results – if the ball was not retaken, the opposition was forced in to making mistakes. While Barker moved the ball about more, I’d keep the same backs starting and bring Stevo on to keep him match fresh. Oh, and all the team need to stop long passes – I feel there are too many. At best, this slows the ball down and can make for handling errors, at worst this can make incepts happen.
Nottingham have not been doing too well of late, although they are capable of turning in a good performance as London Welsh learnt to their costs. They too will have been bolstered by a win last weekend. And they will be up for a performance to give themthe one point they need guaranteed to secure their place in the promotion play-offs. Nottingham are a wily old bunch who know all the tricks of the trade. Leeds will need to keep their discipline so that Hallet does not keep them in the game and cause, what on paper would be, an upset.
I can’t go on Sunday – I’ve my first training session for my role as an Olympics Games Maker. So I wish all the Leeds supporters who make the trip down to Nottingham a safe journey and an enjoyable match. And in keeping with my day out at the Olympics, if Leeds play as well, if not better than Sunday’s second halfperformance, they’ll have a golden opportunity for an elusive five pointer as they will have run rings round the opposition.
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31/01/2012 19:41
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:02:12:09:14:29 by WildWillie .
Much as I love Mo and Sam I don't think they can start. Anyway Young and Gareth did really well and deserve to go again.
COME ON LEEDS.
We've been through it all together.
Not sure about Barker, his passing is at times woeful.
I wasn't born in Yorkshire but I got here as soon as I could
I wasn't born in Yorkshire but I got here as soon as I could
