Leos 12 v Hullensians 17

Visitors just gain victory in close encounter

For the final home league game of the season,Hullensians were the visitors to Crag Lane.The pitch was in excellent condition for the end of the season and both Clubs were able to select strong teams,but the Leos plans were disrupted in the warm up,when Martin McIntosh had to be replaced by James Scott at hooker,and Lenny Lane tweaked a hamstring,meaning he was only to last 20mins,before being substituted for Si Worrall.

In cool but dry condtions,ideal for rugby,the game got off to a fast,open start,with both sides being prepared to move the ball,resulting in exciting end to end rugby.The visitors pushed a 35m penalty wide,before James Knibbs initiated one of numerous counter attacking plays ,which was held just short.

However a similar handling move on 25 mins,resulted in the first score,when Danny Thompson,Tom Bindloss and Neal Liu broke delightfully from the home 22,quick ball allowed Si Worrall to break the defensive line and James Knibbs was in support on his inside,for a classical Leos try.Monty Wainwright added the extras for a seven point lead.

Hullensians were adopting their customary direct approach and their bigger forwards were proving difficult to handle at the break down.However Dave Barden led a terrific defensive threequarter line,whilst clearly Jordache Myerscough was out to impress his father on the touch line,with a number of crunching tackles.

Leos were reduced to fourteen men for 10 mins,for a mid field offence by hooker James Scott and Hullensians took advantage just prior to half time,when their flanker broke from a maul,to give a half time score of seven a piece.

The second half followed a similar pattern,with Leos playing their fluid,open counter attacking style,but unable to finish off long range moves,whilst the visitors enjoyed more field position,with their controlled approach.Leos missed a penalty attempt,but Hullensians took their pen oppourtunity on 55mins,to take the lead for the first time ,but missed a similar attempt shortly there after.

Perhaps the turning point came on 65mins,when another threequarter break,saw James Knibbs tackled a metre short,with a Hull forward killing quick ball and the try scoring oppourtunity.A penalty was deemed sufficient punishment and from the resultant line out, Si Worrall was held up over the line,before the visitors cleared their lines.

This then allowed the visitors to set up field position,before an effective driving maul appeared to seal victory at 7 - 17 on 70mins.Leos continued to play their open style and gained their reward,when Stuart Baker and Si Worrall led a forward charge,quick ball was secured by Tim Fforde and Andy Walker,playing against his former collegues,to allow Irish prop Ed Connell,to give a final score of 12 - 17.

An enjoyable,hard game of Yorks 2 rugby,with perhaps the visitors marginally deserving victory,for their control of the ball,but Leos will continue with their enjoyable,expansive brand.The season comes to an end next sat at the delightful market town of Skipton and recommendations are available for some of the best cheese and pie shops in the county.

Other results yesterday have settled most of the promotion/relegation matters,with Dinnington and Castleford being relegated to Yorks 2 and Roundhegians and Sheffield Medics promoted,whilst it is sad to see our friends from Moortown relegated,along with Goole.Barnsley are promoted as Champions,but the second spot is still a battle between Salem and Wath,who have two games in hand.
Report Peter Cooke

Leos:Bindloss,Liu,Knibbs,Thompson,Lund,Barden,Wainwright,Baker,
Scott,Connell,Debenham,Myerscough,Lane,fforde,Walker. Haire,Worrall,Cadge.