Yorkshire Carnegie
Titans Test Could Be Crucial - For Both Teams
By Leemingtyke
November 7 2013
After last Sundays highly enjoyable, but ultimately losing, encounter with London Welsh, this week sees Headingley host a combined Yorkshire derby and third versus fourth place showdown as we welcome Lee Blacketts Rotherham Titans to LS6....
It’s an intriguing fixture, the result of which will decide more than just the white rose bragging rights for a few months. It will also give Head Coaches Jimmy Lowes and Lee Blackett a better idea of the validity of their respective promotion credentials.
Here’s a question that’s been bugging me for some time. Are Roth serious challengers for a top 4 slot this season or are they merely temporary custodians of a play-off position after taking full advantage of a friendly run of fixtures at the beginning of the season?
A table which says won 5 and lost 1 of 6 games certainly suggests top 4, maybe even Championship winning form. However, closer scrutiny reveals that those victories have come against the sides currently occupying 7th, 10th 11th (twice) and 12th position in the table. The old adage says that you can only beat what’s in front of you and there’s no doubt that Roth have done that with aplomb, amassing an impressive (and league leading) 244 points in the process. However, their only test so far against fellow top half opposition resulted in a narrow home defeat against current league leaders London Welsh, a run of results that leaves Roth sitting pretty in third place but with a few tough games to come.
The fact that LB, Ed Williamson, Alex Reider and Curtis Wilson will be on the Roth team bus means that the driver can leave the satnav at home this week. Come to think of it, if any of them have their bus licence then the driver can have the day off as all those mentioned above will be very familiar with the route to Headingley. Lee Blackett is a man who, even when subjected to the ‘unique’ man management skills of Diccon Edwards in his last season with us, never gave less than 100% in the Leeds cause. His warm welcome is assured and a reminder of the pace and power of Lee in his prime is at the link below.
Alex Reider and Curtis Wilson definitely fall into the ‘ones that got away’ category. In the league encounter atClifton Lanelast season a Roth supporter told me that Reider had been absolutely outstanding for them.Wilsonsrelease at the end of last season was the subject of much debate on this message board with many supporters, myself included, feeling that we should have kept him on. Whilst his pace and finishing ability were never in doubt, some questioned the defensive side of his game. My own viewpoint was, and is, that the last of those attributes is teachable whereas the first two aren’t. I hope he doesn’t make us regret the decision to let him go.
For all that I’ve said above about the relevance of this result for Roth, if we lose this game we will be cast adrift in the chasing pack and it is our own promotion credentials which will be cast into doubt.
Important then, that J-Lo gets his selection right.
The Lozowski/Hughes debate rages on and long may it continue. Unfortunately I can’t comment with any credibility as, in the 3 games I’ve seen so far, I have yet to see Glyn play. What I can say is that Alex has played very well whenever he’s been given the nod and, when kicking from the tee, he appears to have the edge. On a slightly controversial note, I thought Hampo had a poor first 30 minutes against Welsh (although he was excellent in the remaining 50) and I’d like to see J Doc on the bench this week.
One thing that isn’t in doubt is that the presence of a fully fit Ryan Burrows on the pitch increases our chances of winning any game immeasurably so let’s hope that the knock which forced him off against Welsh last week won’t rob him of the chance to face his former club.
Presumably the Yorkshire Regimental Trophy, which came into being last year, has been shelved due to Donnys inability to take part but, despite that, we still have an intriguing and potentially significant Yorkshirederby to look forward to. If Rotherham, as a team, reflects the personality and ethos of their head coach then we should expect them to play with pace, power and 100% commitment from the first minute to the 80th. We know they are well aware where the try line is.
Nevertheless, our defence is rock solid these days. It might be worth us targeting Curtis’s wing in attack to see if LB has managed to impart any of his defensive nous over the close season.
Prediction - I expect us to win, because if we don’t then we’re not where I thought we were.
Enjoy the game.
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07/11/2013 18:14
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:11:22:05:42:25 by Wildwillie .
Sunday is going to be great so come on Leeds!
I have seen both Glyn and Alex in action at number 10: we need to keep them both hungry so I would put Glyn on my teamsheet this week if I was in J-Lo's shoes.
Such is the importance of Sunday, Mr Gel is making a rare appearance at HC. But due to unfortunate circumstances we'll have to sit on the sunny side - something I am not looking forward to one little bit; unlike the match itself which should be a corker. And one I can't call as my head and heart are in conflict.
Quote:rotherhamtillidie
The Yorkshire regiment trophy is alive and kicking
Cheers rotherhamtillidie,
How do you see it going on Sunday?
COME ON LEEDS.
We've been through it all together.
lets hope the weather allows a decent game
good preview
Quote:JDH
Leeds will have to play good quick rugby with aggressive first up tackling to beat roth and not get sucked into the niggle
lets hope the weather allows a decent game
good preview
Forecast looking really good - sunny but a bit chilly.
