By Karen Breakwell; Photos Ivor Hughes
Before the first team kicked off in their Counties Yorkshire One league game against Laund Hill we saw the future talent on show from both sides from the U6, U7, U8, U9 and U10 age groups taking part in our club takeover day.
It was a great event and created a good feel around the club heading into kick off.
The match started with a few scrappy exchanges, with Huddersfield very much on the front foot and taking the lead with a penalty from the boot of Huddersfield’s full back Tom Egan, who continued to cause West Leeds issues all afternoon.
After the first five minutes West Leeds soon started to show their ability to play from anywhere and with a well-worked passage of play moved the ball up the field for Mark Calderwood to take three defenders over the line with him to score in the corner. Conversion missed.
After the restart Huddersfield were back in control, keeping the ball well but struggled to make yards. The mounting pressure in defence showed as Sam Neave intercepted on the half way and ran in to score under the posts with Keir Breakwell adding the two.
Within minutes West Leeds were back punching holes in visitors line and strong carries from Barney Carter and Dave Sidebottom created space for West Leeds captain to crash through the defence on the 22 and barrel over to score. Breakwell added the conversion.
The last five minutes of the half saw Huddersfield controlling the scrums and retaining the ball.
Tom Egan slotted another penalty before going over for a try just before half time and adding the conversion for a half time score 19-13.
The second half started with West Leeds dominating possession and were now playing attacking rugby from everywhere.
Sam Neave again pounced on a mistake from the visitors’ tired attack and ran in to score his second try of the afternoon converted by Breakwell.
That was the the bonus point score and the floodgates opened with Eliah Chityo – on at half time – running around the Laund Hill 13 as if he wasn’t there to set up three quick scores for Sam Marshall, Mark Calderwood. Eliah started and finished the third after receiving the ball back from Sam Neave to score in the corner.
All three were converted by Breakwell. The final try was a great team score worked edge to edge orchestrated by Keir Breakwell and Sam Neave who combined well all afternoon and after a rampaging run from Barney Carter who was stopped inches out Adam Newton popped up to collect the ball and score his first try for the first team. Final score 54-13.
A great game to watch for the home supporters as West Leeds move on to Beverley at home next week. Star man and man of the match: Keir Breakwell.