Yorkshire Carnegie
Factor 15
The 15 factor
By Gelbel
February 26 2012
What a difference a few days makes. From squally weather at Nottingham to the late-February sun of west London. It presented a slight problem as I’m not good at drinking in the fresh air; add the sun and it can get very messy, very quickly. So it was a rather worried reporter downing a few pints of Young’s, soaking up the rays, at 11am on a Saturday morning.........
I was hoping our boys would want to go out on a high, but to be honest I’d been having a good banter with Welsh supporters at breakfast and over beer that the match was no longer the be all and end all. Oh, and add in the odd matter of three games in six days with a squad of bruised and battered bodies doing it all again on the end of two losses.
Old Deer Park shone – the pitch was in good condition, and if you’ve never been, the view of the Kew Gardens’ pagoda gives you a lovely warm feeling inside. Or was that the beer, or the sun, doing their things?
It was most of the Lemonheads first view of Ed Williamson and we welcomed back Steve McColl. Reports that he’d worked hard to regain fitness showed; his upper body has bulked up. And what a difference they made in their own ways.
From the off there was more noise from the Leeds team; led by Williamson directing and motivating the troops. I heard JP ask Titts for instructions; which were then delivered for the majority of the game, Lockwood was checking his scrummaging was OK with the ref and the backs were calling out to each other.
Leeds were playing into the sun and attacking. London Welsh went off-side, when nothing came from the advantage Ford scored the penalty. The London Welsh full-back missed a penalty but entertained the Lemonheads with his rather elaborate tangoesque ritual. And talking of dancing; the London Welsh blindside flanker is several salon visits short of a ringer for Robbie Savage.
London Welsh equalised but Leeds scored a try from the restart. Lucock was storming for the line and passed inside for Williamson to score – to his and his team mates’ delight. Ford made it 3-10 after 12 minutes. Thornley made some good breaks and McColl charged through the gain line, ably assisted by Williamson. All good stuff in the early afternoon sun and even the Leeds scrum was in control. Leeds missed the opportunity to capitalise on their pressure when Ford’s penalty kick to the corner was charged down.
London Welsh scored two quick tries, one from some quick thinking off the back of the scrum. The second saw Gordon Ross using his experience to put up a Gary Owen. Having to defend, the Leeds team were blinded by the sun. Both were converted, 17-10 after 22 minutes. Several penalties followed, including a successful long range effort from Ford and it was 20-16 at half time. It had been a disjointed, but somewhat entertaining first half.
After two minutes of the restart, Leeds broke away from deep inside their half. Thornley made a break and passed to McColl for a long run-in to score. Ford missed the conversion and I was thinking another Goldington Road was on the cards. 20-21 after 45 minutes.
More penalties were traded. London Welsh went ahead but Ford’s attempt to regain the lead skimmed past the post. Leeds had another penalty, but rather than go for the three points, they kicked for touch. It came to nothing after the line-out, where Hemingway was held in the air for an age (which had happened a number of times). A second penalty was awarded, and I said to Bobba it was not going for three points that cost us the game last week. This time Hemingway was quick to off-load and how Bobba laughed when Aulaki scored! How Aulaki’s smile made a bright afternoon even brighter! Ford just missed the conversion. An extra elaborate pre-kick ritual saw London Welsh miss the chance to equalise so it was 23-26 into the last quarter.
Mr Fox was having a good day but decided every game needs a bad reffing decision so sin-binned Williamson without any prior warning. With the opposition’s full-back putting his energy into the actual kick it was as you were; 26 apiece. The exiles promptly went ahead when awarded a penalty after some good defending from Leeds who were deemed off-side.
Leeds made three changes with Beast, Denman and Davies replacing Barrow, Aulika and Lockwood. Cliff had already gone out to outside-half when Shaw replaced Ford. Davies made the best possible start by scoring a try from a long, charging run after Stevo off-loaded.
Then we lady Lemonheads had the moment of the match as, just outside of arms’ reach, McColl prepared to take the conversion from the touch line. It missed. But Leeds had scored 4 tries and were just ahead at 29-31 with 15 minutes left to play.
JP was replaced by Beck as London Welsh went offside with McColl making them pay from 45 metres out. When Williamson re-joined the fray Leeds had given away 3 points but had scored 11 in exchange. In the dying seconds Davies went over for his second try after a surge from Rowan off the back of the scrum. McColl positioned himself closer to the crowd but the wind took the ball to hit the post rather than go over. Final score London Welsh 29 Leeds Carnegie 39 – just what was needed.
So thoughts to the play-offs. Leeds are a much better side when they have the conditions for an expansive game. We have line breakers in the form of Williamson, Burrows and McColl. The scrum seems to function better on a firmer pitch and we see more picks-ups off the back.
Yesterday, there was very little use of kicks into the air with no chasing. The backs were reasonably cohesive, they certainly ran in straight lines yesterday – even Lucock who, I find, runs at a crab-like angle. For the first time in a while we actually went forward, rather than backwards in possession.
The number 15 factor holds no question for me – McColl is safer in defence and stronger than Bell. Let Bell have a run out at outside half against the Pirates. As George Ford won’t be returning, let’s see if Bell can better link the forwards and backs and control the game. The first play-off match down at Penzance will be a good measure of what we can expect. It can’t be as bad as back in September but under some Cornish sun could this team shine again? And with players returning from injury (but I reckon we’ve a reasonable chance without them), U20s returning and a spell of good weather we’ll make the semis, even avoiding Bristol til the finals.
But then I’d been drinking in the sun, had caught a few of its rays and was in need of some factor 15 myself.
Question - has anyone else seen Leeds’ three 4-try wins this season?
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26/02/2012 15:48
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:03:08:18:00:39 by WildWillie .
Back to the match on the telly.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:02:26:16:08:31 by Gelbel.
That said we missed him and yes time to try Ding Dong at 10. Not that George had a bad game but he never threatens a break so easy to defend against. Major concern was Welsh second try when the Leeds forwards just ambled back when the kick went up so there was not enough around to defend.
In a previous post I said our backs had all the penetration of eunuchs in a brothel. One swallow does not a summer make but a couple have grown a pair
Thanks for the report! Look forward to the Kirsty photos!!
Zandra YaPoI
YaPoI - Yorkshire and Proud of It
'proficiscor in una'
However, imho I reckon JF should start at 10 down in Cornwall. He has undoubtedly underperformed all season but the Mennaye isnt the place to tinker. Also he will know that he must start to deliver because if he doesn't then Bell is sitting on the bench waiting for his chance at 10.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2012:02:27:12:19:25 by farmertyke.
I just think we have to look at the bigger picture, JF is a Leeds player, if he's dropped now where will that leave him and us next season when Bell is back at Sale.
For me, we have to keep the faith with JF and give him the chance to show he can do it when the pressures on. If after the first couple of games he's still not delivering then Bell can come in.
Basically, its do or die time for Fordy!
Me - but I have a very good reason to be there!
Quote:Beeston Lion
Yes and I hope he gets more chances soon. He deserves it.
Thanks BL. You won't be surprised to hear that I think so too!
Welcome LeemingTyke... as one from Burneston its nice to see some North Yorks supporters out there!
COME ON LEEDS.
We've been through it all together.
