Silhillians 13-24 West Leeds
RFU Intermediate Cup Semi Final
This was the first meeting of these clubs and information on Silhillians was sketchy, writes Glenn Broadbent.
One thing that can be sure is you don’t reach a National Semi Final at this level unless you are a very good side. The hosts impressive facilities and excellent pitch made a statement of their own.
From the kick off the pressure on the home side was evident with several nervous mistakes being made. The resulting scrummages were dominated by the visitors and they took the lead in the eight minute with the forwards securing safe ball and the backs rapidly swapping passes for the first score on eight minutes 0-5.
Silh’s first venture in Wests’ half came on 11 minutes and was reward with a penalty and they too the three points 3-5.
Congrats to all at West Leeds on booking the annual trip to Twickers. Home of @EnglandRugby surely becoming the 2nd home of @WestLeedsRUFC ?
— Barnsley RUFC (@BarnsleyRUFC) April 15, 2017
West Leeds continued to pressure with Silhillians making the occasional venture into the opposition half. With Wests relentless pressure on the scrummage Silh’s were cracking and conceded another try on 16 minutes. 3-10.
The usually reliable boot of D Breakwell let him down on 23 minutes as he failed to convert his third attempt of the afternoon.
West Leeds were playing a very different game to the usual free-flowing backs game and were mixing it up in the forwards with great effect. However, another raid into the West Leeds half saw the home side claw back three points on thirty four minutes. 6-10.
Neither side made any further serious attempt and half-time arrived with the visitors slightly edging the score but dominating the play.
The second half with the same patterns being repeated and it took Wests just five minutes to extend their lead 6-17.
The visitors were in complete control and made it 6-24 six minutes later.
This was the cue for a Silhillians to attempt a fightback and despite some good work nerves had hold of them and time and again errors destroyed the end product, knock on over the try line, forward passes and spilt passes denied them the points they so desperately needed.
They did get a consolation try and conversion with four minutes remaining, but it was too little too late.
Full Time 13-24
Opponents Charlton Park
West Leeds will meet Charlton Park from South East London in the final on the 6th May at Twickenham Stadium.
Next week they round off their Yorkshire Division One campaign at North Ribblesdale, a victory will see them secure a play-off place for promotion.
The second XV will meet Morley in their own play-off final with promotion at stake. The final will be held at Sandal near Wakefield.
