On a bright but chilly and breezy Sunday morning, Leos travelled to Hull for their eagerly awaited Yorkshire Cup replay. With half term causing issues with altitude training and lots of boys returning back late from holidays, there was a concern as to whether or not we would ' turn up.'

From the first minute the tone was set, Hullensians with their strong and direct approach style attacked at pace from the first scrum and were met with a thundering Finlay Bruce tackle. We were very much up for it and we were meeting fire with fire. The early exchanges were frenetic but we stood firm and in Leo Johnson and Finlay we continued to defend with real aggression in the middle of the field. Neither side taking a backward step.

Having repelled Hullensians early enthusiasm, we began to create a platform. Time and again Louis Collins and Seb Cane secured the ball and worked tirelessly with Arthur and Scott to retain possession at the breakdown. Using the elements to good effect we secured some territory and applied some pressure of our own.

Eventually we forced an error with the ball being turned over from another Bruce 'Hit' and we were able to release Akerman down the right. The cover hauled him down but quick ball created the space and as the backs went back the other way, good hands created the opportunity for Leo Johnson to surge over from 10 yards out. With Stephens adding the extra's we were in front and headed into half time with our lead intact.

The second half began as a real arm wrestle in the middle of the field. Neither side could gain any real pressure with defences very much on top and denying any space. Eventually Hullensians gained some territory though and with the referee unsighted from a clear infringement after a scrum, they grasped their opportunity and powered over to level the scores.

Knowing that a draw wouldn't suffice, our opponents were galvanised by the score and with six or seven minutes remaining began to apply some real pressure. Time and again though they were repelled by some tremendous Leos defence with tackles being made across the team.

Something had to give and when Tom Douglas re-entered the fray the Leos pack adopted a more direct approach. With Dougie leading by example we began to pick and drive around the fringes. Time and again Alex, Rory, Seb and Scott gained vital yards, recycled the ball and secured possession in the closing minutes.

After two tremendous ties, nothing separated two excellent sides who had given everything and played the game in a fantastic spirit. We may have been denied the chance to play our usual expansive style, and that is to the credit of a wholehearted and tremendously tenacious Hullensians side, but we ultimately weren't going to be denied our place in the final, the away draw securing our place in the final.

More details of the final will follow.