Nothing to Show as Thorne are Well Beaten

Thornensians hopes of a second consecutive win away against West Leeds were comprehensively dashed as the North Leeds team ran out worthy winners, scoring five tries and two conversions. It's been a long time since Thornensians have failed to score and yet for the first 22 minutes they were camped in the opponents half. However, all their efforts came to nought as West Leeds tackled everything on site, on one occasion holding up the returning Antony Bull over their try line. Try as they did Thorne could not find a way to score, they were so very close on several occasions but were denied by a strong resolute Leeds defence. It was left to the home team to open proceedings through a sucker punch interception resulting in a converted try under the post. Five minutes later Thornensians leaked another try this time through woeful midfield defence leading to another under the post converted try. It's not inconceivable these two quick scores took the wind out of Thornensians sails but credit to West Leeds, they took their chances. To make things worse Thornensians full back Zak Holgate came off in the 31st with a thumb injury. Coach John Pearce was forced into a re-jigging manoeuvre, centre Rob Brown moved to full back, loose- forward Aaron Holt stepped into Brown's slot as Rob Moffatt, making his first appearance of the season, came on to fill Holt's position. Holt's introduction to the midfield and his ability to man mark tightened up the midfield as the Leeds team finished well on top of the first half, shovelling the ball out as their backs attacked Thornensians jittery wide defensive line at every opportunity. The highlight of the first half if their was one for Thornensians was a try saving tackle by full-back Rob Brown as he made up yards on the Leeds left wing who was in the clear with 50 yards to the line, Brown pinned his ears back and snared the wing a yard from the line with Thornensians right wing Ross Haley in close attendance, just in case. James Fenwick performed solidly at number 8 along with scrum-half Dave “ Trout” Martindale. Thornensians line out operated reasonably with Holt and Bull their two main catchers, the scrums were about even.

The second half began with Leeds in control of territory and possession. Patently clear from their determination to run the ball from all quarters that they were in a confident mood borne out from their decision to take a quick tap on their left flank that led to an unconverted try by their left wing. Five minutes later a high up and under from Leeds stand -off was somehow collected by their winger who skirted a lone Thornensians forward to score an unconverted try in the corner. The question to be asked, Where was our defence? Thornensians are now 24 points in arrears. Left wing Tom Ambler made 40 yard break but was tackled near the line as Thornensians threw away a chance to maintain pressure by knocking-on. On the opposite wing Ross Haley was himself brought down a couple of yards from the line but apart from these two opportunities we never came close. West Leeds technically correct tackling and accurate passing was the key to their winning performance, short passes into the gut enabling supporting players to run at speed at the opposition defence and it's in this fashion that their lanky second-row took the ball on the hoof side-stepped a weak Thornensians defence to score Leeds fifth and final try. Final score West Park Leeds 29 Thornensians 0.