West Leeds Preview

By Dave Picken - December 8 2017
West Leeds Preview
It's "West" v "Wests" as we reach the halfway stage of the season and the first  ever meeting between the two sides ...

The Yorkshiremen have had a meteoric rise from Yorkshire Two in the last few seasons - earning promotion from Yorkshire One after going unbeaten and winning the RFU Senior Vase at Twickenham.

With former Rotherham, Leeds and Newport Gwent Dragons scrum half Joe Bedford pulling the stings they’ve moved into second place in North One East.

That's the position we held this time last year. This time we are in third bottom place but home wins against  WL this week and Malton and Norton next week could make a dramatic difference to our league standing.

We are making life hard for ourselves at times despite having un unusually large crop of injuries and unavailabilities.
Last week at Northern we were winning 19-3 well into the second half, and should have come back with five points. Instead, we went down 26-22 through losing concentration and letting the opposition back in the game.

Several players struggled thrugh that game with leg injuries but all are available this week. Skipper Carl Miller will be in the back row ,where Liam Bailey returns after captaining the Hartlepool side at the Bangkok 7's, and Jordan Foulds and Adam Coates have also been passed fit.

Alex Key, one of the bonuses so far this season,  has undergone a nose operation this week so Andrew Rollins moves over to prop with Foulds starting at hooker.

In the backs Liam Checksfield is back from playing 7's in Dubai and Liam Austwicke is available for only the second time this season. Both start against what is reputedly one of the best back divisions in the league.

However, West Leeds will be without skipper Sam Neave. The centre was crowned the National Amateur Rugby Player of the Year at Twickenham earlier this season but was red carded against Bradford and Bingley last week. Despite being down to 14 his side won comfortably 33-7.

They wiull have former Rugby League star Mark Calkderood on the wing.  The 36 year old played for England and in the  Super League for  Leeds, Wigan, Hull F.C. and Harlequins.


West: Liam Austwicke, Will Hillditch, Peter Youll, Gavin Painter, Liam Checksfield, Zac Southern,  Ryan Painter, Adam Coates, Jordan Foulds, Andrew Rollins, Jake Linighan, John Bunter, Liam Bailey, Carl Miller (captain), Andrew Turner.

Changes: Craig Hadwen, Scott Butcher, Luke Mallinson.

West Leeds: Sean Quaid, Mark Calderwood, Danny Booth, Tom Jackson, Jack Marshall, Dale Breakwell, Joe Bedford, Duane Smith, Dan Bird, Liam Robinson, Scott Coyne, Will Betts, Dec Penny, Jamie Cockin, James Salter.

Changes: Craig Peebles, Rab Watts, Keir Breakwell.

 
West Leeds Preview
Posted by: Official West Hartlepool RFC (IP Logged)
Date: 08/12/2017 09:21


Re: West Leeds Preview
Posted by: West Park Allotment (IP Logged)
Date: 08/12/2017 11:17

Now is the time to stand up and be counted and I hope there is a good crowd to get behind the team.

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