By apb on 20/04/2004
September 5 2005

My preview predicted a close game, and a high scoring one, with the winner coming out only three points ahead at the end of the eighty. And in that respect, I was at least two-thirds right! It wasn't high scoring, but it was close, and a difference of four points isn't so off that prediction, eh?!? A final score of Tykes 7 Wasps 11 didn't really do justice to the entertainment value of the game. That being said the first twenty minutes weren't much to write home about. But at that point, something seemed to click in both teams, and extended periods of great attacking and defensive play commenced, and these never let up until the final whistle. The half time score of 6-0 to Wasps was probably about right, and Leeds didn't disgrace themselves in that time.

After fifty minutes, Colm Rigney went over for a try in the muddy East Stand end, and Duncan Hodge - on for Gordon Ross at half time who had had trouble with his kicking game - added the extra two to put the Tykes ahead. Five minutes later, and on came the Wasps cavalry, Dallaglio, Howley, Abbott and the other gifted bench-men came on to do a rescue job for the Wasps team and coach.

And rescue they did - the Wasps pack started to dominate the set pieces at this point, and a few minutes later after driving through the rolling maul, Trevor Leota - the face of Easter Island as Prawn Cocktail described him to me - went over to put the Wasps back in front.

This didn't mark the start of a capitulation for Leeds though. In fact, if anything, Leeds were the dominant side subsequently, and deep into injury time a long touchfinder from Hodge allowed Leeds to attack the line from five metres out. Once again Rigney was close to the line for a second (and match winning) try, but stirling defence kept the Irishman out, with the result being a final attacking scrum to the Tykes. However the critical ball was lost, and Wasps were able to clear their lines and thus gain the valuable win.

Positives

Have no doubt that this was a positive performance for the Tykes. The Wasps team had given out humiliating hidings to Northampton and Gloucester respectively in their two prior games, and while its fair to say they didn't start with their full strength side, they certainly needed to finish with in order to make sure of the win.

The Tykes come away with another bonus point, albeit a losing bonus, and their challenge for a potential wild-card spot is not dead yet. From a team perspective, many players had a big game. Special mention for Gavin Kerr who was powerful and aggressive in his (for the Tykes) unaccustomed position of loosehead prop, and Alix Popham was all over the park and first to the breakdown more often than anyone else, often securing turnover possession just by sheer speed to the ball. My MOTM award, however, goes to Colm Rigney, who was outstanding in getting to the ball and doing a proper loose forwards job.