A Narrow Defeat At Home... Not What We Need!

Early in the season the Leeds team had put 29 points over Thorne without reply. Thorne started in the best way possible with a try by centre Ollie Cox, converted by right wing Rob Brown. The first half was an even affair with no side gaining prominence in either territory or possession, the defence of both teams coupled with a lack of attacking imagination ensured that the majority of play took place in midfield. The visitors were reduced to 14 men when the referee sin-binned their left wing for a tip tackle but the home side failed to make their numerical advantage count. Five minutes before half-time West Park's kicker slotted over a penalty and at half-time the score remained 7-3 to the home side. In the early minutes of the second-half, three missed tackles by the home side allowed West Park to score an easy try, the conversion failed but West Leeds had their noses in front at 8-7. West Park clearly had territorial advantage for much of the second half but it was Thornensians who posted the next points courtesy of a penalty conversion from Brown as the home team regained the lead at 10-7. West Park scored another unconverted try to go ahead by 13-10. Going behind with 10 minutes still to play Thornensians refused 2 eminently kickable penalties. West Park Leeds defence held on as Thornensians, spurred by an healthy crowd battered away at their opponents line but to no avail.