Wetherby miss crucial chances at defiant Leos

Spirits were high after the win over Salem last week but the lads knew they were in for a stern test against a team that have resided in Yorkshire 1 for a number of seasons and who are celebrating their 100th season of rugby. And, having the Wetherby 2nd team along for a double header made the fixture even more enticing. The red hoops were out in force.

Wetherby kicked off playing from right to left with a light breeze across the pitch. There were a number of enforced changes due to broken ankles, dislocated shoulders and, erm, seemingly Reidy away for a jolly with his girlfriend mid season. Geoff, another one for the charge sheet…

The first action was a line out to Leo’s that they executed with precision but Dan McCleary was starting the game as he left off against Salem and made the first series of destructive hits on Leo’s forwards and backs. Wetherby and Leo’s traded attack and defence on the half way line with Leo’s seemingly unable to make progress but exploiting an opening behind the Wetherby lines, they kicked through only for the ball to be shepherded out by an ever vigilant Youlden.

Despite the clear weight advantage of the Leo’s pack, Wetherby yet again demonstrated their superiority in dominating the scrums from the early stages, Kitching stepping in for the injured Coach, Woodworth. But Wetherby were going to be unpicked again in a similar fashion to the try at Keighley and despite resolute defending the reds defence seemed bamboozled by some clever handling and Leo’s ran in their first try under the posts which was duly converted. 7-0.

Leo’s had the wind in their sails and managed to keep Wetherby in their own half after the kick-off and it seemed they were going to make their pressure count. But Wetherby had other ideas, and put up a surly resistance that we have come to know and love. Lads putting their bodies on the line for the red and white. Massive tackles by Watson, “habitual try line botherer”, Atherton and Dixon keep Leo’s from scoring.

Wetherby grew into the game but with lineouts not quite firing as normal it was always going to be a fine line between winning and losing. The visitors didn’t seem to be making the most of their possession and despite big carries by Hoather and Mason, Leo’s kept them at bay.

The game was becoming a forward’s war of attrition with Wetherby dominant in the scrums the Leo’s players seem to have forgotten to put their studs in as they slid backward time and again. As the referee awards another scrum to Leo’s the Wetherby faithful cheer, predicting the pain that the Leo’s front row will be experiencing.

Despite Wetherby’s dominance in some areas, Leo’s demonstrated again that being clinical in attack was going to be the difference between success and failure in this league and they demonstrated this with their 2nd try. A simple move off the back of a ruck on the half way line and solid forward running created inexplicable gaps in the middle of the Wetherby defence. 14-0

I’m sure you’ve all met Jim Greenwood. The quiet, unassuming, polite young man off the pitch but who turns in to a demolition machine on the pitch. Unfortunately for recently returning from injury, Leo’s 5, Jim wasn’t right happy about being 14-0 down and let off a bit of steam with a crunching tackle on the big, 2nd row who unfortunately was forced to leave the pitch wondering what day it was.

As we approached the end of the 1st half it felt like Wetherby were starting to get the upper hand with relentless scrums and some great hands by Atherton and Little. Could it be his day to shine? But still there was no way through. And with McCleary carded for a dubious tip tackle Wetherby needed to find some magic.

And as if to add insult to injury on a genuinely pretty even first half, Wetherby concede a penalty in comfortable kicking distance that is duly dispatched, 17-0.

Wetherby weren’t to be disheartened and got ball in hands shipping the ball through the backs and over to the right wing. Youlden spotted a gap in behind the Leo’s defence but despite the pace we have in our backs, the ball ran agonisingly out of touch. Meanwhile on the other wing Jack Kay is nursing a poorly ankle and after a bit of grimacing and supportive words from Geoff, he decides he can’t go on and Parrish joins the field.

With one final push for a score in the first half, Wetherby camp themselves in the Leo’s 22 and despite 4 penalties and a line out kick that Yates actually managed to kick backwards, they still couldn’t get the ball over the line. Clinical attack needs a bit of work.

Half time 17-0

Leo’s kick off the 2nd half and keep the ball in the Wetherby half until Hoather pops up on the wing with the ball and sends a walloping clearance in to the Leo’s half. Little spots a potential opportunity and after the Leo’s full back fumbles the catch Little gracefully gathers the ball and shows clean heels to the Leo’s defence.
Conversion missed, 17-5.

The try seems to settle Wetherby and they go through a number of phases in middle of pitch but knock on gives possession opposition. Yet another really strong defence sequence leaves Leo’s no option but to kick to make any progress.

23 mins in to the second half and Leo’s are looking tired. Wetherby needed to maximise their possession and territory and so steps up Acland. Wetherby win ruck after ruck, with Dixon orchestrating the backs the ball goes left and right with Harry Kaye seemingly being ever present, unlike his brother! Leo’s are on the back foot and Wetherby create an opening down the middle of the pitch that Acland exploits running through at relative pace and with a rather puzzled look on his face, to score under the posts.

Yates get the extras, 17-12.

Following the restart Little gets his hands on the ball far more making the hard yards for the team. Leo’s made mistakes across the pitch and with Shaw and Draper on, the youthful energy provided yet more pressure for the Leo’s defence who eventually succumb to a yellow that puts them down to 14 men.

Wetherby seemed to have created one last significant opportunity with a prolonged period of play in the Leo’s half. And yet a moment of indiscipline sees Leo’s gain a pressure-relieving penalty and the game drifts to a final score of 17-12.

Much to be positive despite the result and we are sure Woodworth has plenty to work on at training.

Man of the match: Sam Little
Team: Atherton, Kaye (J), Yates, Kaye (H), Little, Youlden, Dixon, Kitching, Hoather, Mason, Acland, Greenwood, Thackeray, McCleary, Watson. Subs: Shaw, Draper, Parrish