|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Tuts Report | The John Brain Interview | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Down the steps and
out onto the filed of battle strode the big 15. They looked confident, but
were 6 points adrift. Not a problem to these men, they play right up to and
including the very last second. We knew they were fit, Leeds were about to
find out how fit they are. The game kicked of and immediately both team showed clear intent to get on the scoreboard first. It was pretty fast stuff, Each side severely testing out the resolve of the other with some fierce running and tackling. Certainly not for the faint hearted |
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
The warriors scrum
was holding up well against a big powerful unit. The more games we play the
stronger these "old" boys get. the speed around the rucks was incredible, with at times them being cleared out too fast and before the scrum half had got there. Some thought here needed. Several times Leeds players were able to step over and pick up a ball that was out and unprotected. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
the worst that can
happen happened! In defence Worcester has still not learnt to play the referee as they started to give away penalties. Not what you need when you are already down and making most of the attacking play. The first of Two penalties conceded in a short period of time being easily converted by Gordon Ross Leeds 21 : 12 Warriors |
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
However it was
still Worcester with their tails up. The travelling support were now in full
voice. They may have been late arriving, there may only have 600 to 700,
they were spread around the ground. But it was the roars of WARRIORS that
were echoing all around the ground. We were on the attack and looking good. Again and again we worked our way into the Leeds 22, we worked our way onto the try line, we worked their defence over, we made the hole and then wed either dropped it, Crossed or fell over. Nothing coming 10 minutes of sustained pressure deep in their 22 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
And again we came
back at them. It was Worcester making all the play, Worcester asking all the questions. Any possession gained by Leeds was hit by some ferocious tackling, quickly dislodging the ball for our backrow to move in and secure. It was instant riposte as the ball was moved wide with Ben Hinshelwood and Thomas Lombard causing problem all day. Both making yard after yard |
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
The lineouts were
being cleverly moved around with Drew Hickey taking many balls. It happened all so easily. In one of their few forays into the Worcester half. Tim Collier stepped through a ruck and was caught offside. Within easy kicking distance of the post up stepped Gordon Ross again and converted for the points and a 12 points lead. Leeds 24 : 12 Warriors |
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
It was time for
substitutions the penalty count was unacceptable and fresh blood was needed. It was now time to see the new winger Sione Kepu get his first run out. The air was full of expectancy, he must have been as nervous as hell. halfway round the world and then 4 days later in at the deep end. Well Sione can you swim?? On came Clive Stuart-Smith to some "pleasant" cat calls along with Van Neikerk and Vaili. With the loss of Collier, Gabey moved to lock. Initially we last a lot of power as the scrum was shunted backwards on the next few scrums. Tim adds a massive presence to the pack!! |
 |
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
What did change was
the attacking speed and power, Mark Gabey now getting into the thick of it
with Neikerk and Vaili adding real strength on the move. B All three have
the ability to make ground every time in possession. We saw some fabulous
breaks from all three but the best coming from Mark as he broke through
three tackles and set up a great attack with the supporting backrowers. Leeds turned one ball over and quickly recycled right out to Balshaw who took off down the wing like a scalded cat. As he came to the line and express train in the shape of Thinus Delport just absolutely creamed him into touch. What a tackle, you can bet that hurt!! |
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
It was then back to
the usual attacks from Worcester as the forward surged up field deep into
the Leeds 22. Again we were camped on their line. Could we score those points. It was flat out for the 7 points and play rugby. It gets us into shape and sets out our stall as an attacking force. If you don't tackle us we will come at you until you break. The moment came, as Kepu was found in acres of space. The ball was passed out to him. In his efforts to get the ball and a certain try he snatched and the chance went begging. Didn't the Leeds fans find relief in his misfortune. Minutes later he chased a ball backwards where he picked it up shrugged of 3 tacklers and hit the go pedal making fully 15 meters with silken ease!! |
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
The whole team were
now flat out after the 12 points. Leeds were starting to struggle to keep
up, gaps were coming. Pressure was applied deep into their 22 when Kepu who
had come in off his wing picked up at the base of a ruck, side-stepped three
defenders and stormed over the line for a converted try. 5 points adrift and we looked more than good enough to score the 4th and win the game for another 5 league points. Warriors attacked and attacked narrow and wide but the box just would not open. We nearly gave it away in our desire for a win when Brown miss pass was almost intercepted Leeds 24 : 19 Warriors |
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Observations: 1. Above all else, another game lost that clearly should have been won!! 2. Bad luck on decisions and lack of composure were the prime reasons and penalty count against. 3. Not taking the points on offer. The missed conversion would have put us within 3 points and maybe the penalties would have been taken. 4. When in the opposing 22 you have to come away with points. Leeds did every time. |
5. Kepu looks to have potential 6. Hinshelwood and Delport had excellent games in attack and defence 7. Lombard is now looking and playing the part. Yet again he made yards and stayed on his feet. 8. With Pieters and Kepu on the wings this should open up the midfield to give Lombard, Hinshelwood and Rasmussen all the space they need |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
