In Leeds they will tell you that Headingley is the only place in the world where you can stand in the bar and look out over an international cricket ground through one window and an international rugby ground through the other.  The last time we were there, Iestyn Harris was playing for Leeds Rhinos and Worcester blew their chance of Premiership promotion that year by losing to Leeds Tykes.

To-day, the cricket ground looked very impressive as we rushed past the elegant Len Hutton gates.  The recent improvements have made it an intimate, enclosed arena, but the Warriors’ supporters didn’t stop to look.  The excited voice of the radio commentator was still ringing in our ears as we followed the roar of the crowd and tumbled into the rugby ground – to find Worcester 5 – 0 down.

We were in place and Worcester were 5 points adrift, yet again concedeing early points. But as usual the team were not at all phased by the early onslaught from Leeds. Who like other ZP teams were intent on trying to blow us away in the first 15 minutes of a game. They had hit us hard from every conceivable angle, but we had held out after the first try scored by the diminutive figure of Biggs

One after another were turned over and slowly but surely Worcester were getting back into the game. The backrow tri of Sanderson, Hickey and Gabey were causing problems for the Leeds midfield.

Finally a dropped ball was pounced upon and we had a an opportunity to make some ground.

A great miss pass to Ben Hinshelwood, once again out on the left wing, found him in acres of space. As he took off to wards the huge gap between center and wing, you could feel the expectation, could he draw in the wing and get the ball out to the looping Gollings.

Rees had taken the right option and was covering the outside as Hinshelwood looked to pass. The half dummy was enough as the center was way out of position. With Rees half turned Ben stepped on the gas, through the gap and there was Rees desperately trying to catch him as he stormed over the line for a glorious 60meter try. Up stepped Jimmy Brown who calmly converted for 7 points and the lead

Leeds 5 : 7 Warriors

Having said that Leeds were not much better, but they were better and this was their best gain in the games.

Within 60seconds of the restart a complete loss of communication in the warriors defence following dubious play from Leeds saw Dunbar literally walk over unapposed for Leeds to once again take the lead

Leeds 12 : 7 Warriors

YES the supporters were here, in numbers and loud. They had the lead, they had the support lets get this game on boys, lets DO IT!!

A disturbing turn of events. Were we going to leak more soft tries as we had on previous games? Could the Warriors tighten up their defence? Could we get back on terms as quickly as they had?

The answer was yes, we could and did tighten up our defence, this was the last time Leeds looked like scoring a try. There only attacking moments coming from our mistakes. We cut them out almost completely. YES we could get back on terms. With Thomas Lomabrd finishing off a fine move from quick ball. Thomas Looped around taking an outside pass to leave Rees stranded for the second time in 5 minutes.

Leeds 12 : 12 Warriors

A bad, bad miss

The confidence and belief was there in the players that they could score tries.

Worcester had come to play rugby. The pressure was immense on the brick wall defence of Leeds Tykes. Tackle after tackle was coming in as the Warriors pack slowly but surely unravelled their defence.

It was only going to be time. 3 penalties had been refused from within 5 meters of the Leeds try line.

the defence was weakening as another lineout was won and on came the drive. Warrrioors---Warriorrrs, could be heard ring around the ground as the fans urged on their mighty heroes.

Finally the dam burst and over went Ben Daly, the touch judge awarded the try, all the players and the fans knew it was a try,. But once again a refereeing descision went against the team as the referee disallowed it for unsighted. What on earth are touch judges for??

However the try was disallowed and the team accepted it better than any of the hundreds of screaming Worcester supporters.

The only thing to do was to regroup and score again.

Imediately back onto the attack came Pat Sanderson and his team of Warriors. They had come here to win!!

The rest of the half saw Leeds penned into their own half apart from the occasional foray into the Worcester part of the field.

What happened. The penalty count started to rise, we were making silly, academy like attempts to regain the ball or slow it down. We goy caught every time. We have to learn the whiles of the premiership old boys and start to get away with these tactice.

These penalties were to be the nails in the coffin by the end of the game. Ross converting two of them to m,ake the half-time score

Leeds 18 : 12 Warriors

No more need be said!!!