West 17 West Leeds 41

By Dave Picken - February 11 2018
West 17 West Leeds 41
A makeshift West side put up a brave fight against a West Leeds side which included two former professionals. However, the visitors were always in control even when they lost scrum half Joe Bedford  to a red card just before the break, and then went down to 12 for six minutes after the restart and still managed to score ....

We were forced to make seven changes from the side which won the last home game. In addition we had to draft Ross Wood onto the bench in place of a poorly Joe Rafferty, and Dan Quinn had to provide backs cover even though he was playing for the Stags in their big defeat at the hands of Novos.

On the positive side we did score three tries, and would have just about deserved the bonus point if we'd managed another. That would have been handy as other results went in our favour so we are still just outside the drop zone.

The visitors had former England, Leeds and Wigan rugby league winger Mark Calderwood in their ranks along with scrum half Joe Bedford a former pro with Leeds, Rotherham and Newport Gwent Dragons.

The latter went on to have a game he’ll remember for some time. He opened the try scoring with some ease after eight minutes, when he outfoxed West’s rookie defence, only to blot his copybook just before the break when he was sent off for the first time in his career.

Referee Gareth Foreman had no hesitation in showing the red card after Bedford verbally abused touch judge Dave Mould. It was all over an innocous judgement over whether Gav Painter had athletically kept the ball in play near the touch line or not ( both the touch judge and the ref were right on the spot.)  Bedford did spend some considerable time apologising to Dave Mould at the end of the game.

West Leeds were 17-0 at this point thanks top the unerring boot of fly half Dale Breakwell and a second try courtesy of winger Angus Milbourne.

West, who more than held their own in the scrum against a big pack, took the opportunity to force Andy Turner over for an unconverted try, and with the wind at the backs and against 14 men there was some hope of a rally.

Our prospects quickly improved after the break with two yellow cards in quick succession for West Leeds. Second row Dec Penny was the first to go fort as no arms tackle as Will Hilditch and Zac Southern attacked up the right wing.

Two minutes later fellow lock Dan Baxter, formerly of Rovers, went to the bin for deliberately collapsing a maul as West went for the line.

That should have been the signal for a revival. Instead, the 12 men of West Leeds stepped up their tackling and actually managed to score much to our embarrassment. Poor tackling allowing skipper Sam Neave to crash over from short range.

West Leeds were comfortable at 24-5 up and went further ahead when Adam Coates was yellow carded for handling in a ruck. Baxter set up another easy conversion for Breakwell after going over from short range.

We did produce a late rally. The back row had more than held its own during the game with all three ending up on the score sheet.

Alex Barker, making his first start since breaking his foot early in the season followed a break by the powerful Rob Thorn who was playing at centre, to collect from short range and force his way over.

Painter’s conversion was wide, but he was allowed another attempt after one of the Leeds players had shouted as he was about to connect. This time he added the two points.

Butrcher Try West Leeds

The back row “hat trick” was completed ten minutes later when Scott Butcher (above) was sent clear after Gavin Painter, as committed as ever,  broke from a quickly taken tap penalty.

Unfortunately,West Leeds had already scored their fifth try through second row Carpenter with Breakwell finishing the game with a penalty.

West: Zac Southern, James Tyers, Will Hilditch, Rob Thorn, Adam Peacock, Gavin Painter, Matt Siddle, Adam Coates, Andrew Rollins (capt), Jake Linighan,  James Tyers, Alex Barker,  Andrew Turner.

Changes: Johnny Hunter, Dan Quinn, Ross Wood.

Tries: Turner, Barker, Butcher.

Cons: Painter (1)

 

West Leeds:  Danny Booth, Mark Calderwood, Sam Neave (capt), Tom Jackson, Angus Milborne, Dale Breakwell, Joe Bedford, Duane Smith, Archie Rika-Rayne, Liam Robinson, George Carpenter, Dan Baxter, Dec Penny, Dan Bird, James Salter.

Reps: Dave Gregory, Lewis Bromley,. Dean Quaid.

Tries: Bedford, Milborne, Neave, Baxter, Carpenter.

Cons: Breakwell (5).

Pens Breakwell (2).

Red Card: Bedford

Yellow: Baxter, Penny,.

 
West 17 West Leeds 41
Posted by: Official West Hartlepool RFC (IP Logged)
Date: 11/02/2018 11:58


Re: West 17 West Leeds 41
Posted by: CharlotteL (IP Logged)
Date: 12/02/2018 12:14


Re: West 17 West Leeds 41
Posted by: Hardwick Man (IP Logged)
Date: 12/02/2018 13:11

Yes true, I'm often mesmerised by the under floor heating too

Re: West 17 West Leeds 41
Posted by: Rozzy 1 (IP Logged)
Date: 12/02/2018 15:15

They don't have that sort of refinement in Leeds.
Pot-bellied stoves more their style.
And Tetleys!!!!
Mind you, that seems a very balanced report to me.
Our report has James Tyers playing in the centre and second row. Poor lad must be knackered.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/02/2018 15:44 by Rozzy 1.

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