Leos 14 - 3 Barnsley

Really disappointing performance to follow two good wins for Barnsley.
You wondered when the team would spark into life but a performance never emerged.
A gift of 7 points to start. A kick out on the full & then a silly penalty saw Leos kick to the 5m line.
Next the forwards fail to line up opposite Leos jumpers and their maul motored over for the try.

Embattled, Barnsley did show some spirited defence in response and kept Leos in midfield until an
X-rated shot from Fletcher crunched the Leos full back and penalty was given to see Leos in range.
Loose tackling saw Beck twice have to haul down a free runner and Barnsley managed to kick clear.
Each kick though returned by running or the boot for gains by Leos as the chase failed to pressure.
Youngsters Will Smith and Emery still looked capable of a break but the backs unit wasn't clicking.

With the scrum under pressure for the first time this season & the line-out hit & miss it was tough.
Heavy work for Barnsley to progress with little good ball but the odd penalty got them downfield.
A penalty in striking range well converted by Emery Barnsley get on the board after a delay.
The referee was injured by a Leos player being tackled into him but he soldiered on.

Another Leos score proved the last of the game, poor handling from Barnsley gave them position.
Pass interference by Elliot Copley saw him yellow carded & Leos opted from scrum after scrum.
Leos tried to push over but Barnsley battled hard, twice turning the ball over but couldn't escape.
An attempted push over went lose in goal & Tasker touched down but feed given again to Leos.
Yellow cards or penalty tries were a threat as three scrums went down but the ref held off.
Eventually Barnsley won the ball but passed on the pressure until Will Smith was tackled in goal.
Relief was short lived as Barnsley held firm and Leos passed to the wing and dropped the ball.

Unfortunately the defence was passive and Leos full back picked up to step back inside & score.
No communication and the tired forwards slow out of the last scrum left a gap. 14-3 to Leos

The 2nd half was a drab with neither team good enough to beat reasonably committed defence.
Other than the odd break the teams rather cancelled each other out and play stayed midfield.
Understandably the injured ref played little advantage which did limit Barnsleys opportunities.
Changes saw Fisher, Perry & Green come on and Barnsley did improve but not enough to score.
Having abandoned the kicking game breaks were forthcoming and the scrum improved markedly.
A clean Emery break should have been converted but he couldn't find Appleyard for the try.
Barnsley knocked at the door, Fisher chipped over but the bounce wasn't kind for him to gather.
Late on Barnsley went all out attack after a bonus point. Eaden & Will Smith making half breaks.
Emery went clean through again but the pass went in touch to end the game. A poor day out.