West Leeds travelled to The Memorial Ground with a number of first choice players unavailable for selection, writes Glenn Broadbent.
The team selected was by no means weak but Roundhegians are formidable foes and a they have strength and mobility. So it was never going to be easy and despite the score line it this was a tough test.
West started in their usual way attacking straight from the kick off and after two minutes were awarded a penalty but Breakwell found his efforts go just wide.
Two minutes later strong forward play lead to Calderwood receiving the ball close to touch and sneaking his over for his first try of the afternoon. Breakwell made no mistakes. 0-7.
On nine minutes West Leeds were awarded a penalty and Breakwell added the three points. 0-10.
Wests scrummaging techniques were getting the better of the big opposition pack and on fifteen minutes prop James Kirk broke away and jinked his way over the line for a rare try under the post and Breakwell converted 0-17.
With just 19 minutes on the clock Fredrick Smart was sent to sin bin for ungentlemanly behavior.
Hegians took advantage of the extra man and good saw an excellent cross field kick find Cummings who made no mistakes in scoring the home sides first points, the kick was difficult and hitting the post was no disgrace, 5-17.
The end to end play continued with both sides going close, it was on 24 minutes that a clearance kick from Roundhegians was charged down by Anderson for Cockin to score. It was Breakwell’s turn to hit the post this time 5-22.
As is so often the case this season another try came along quickly following an evil bounce lead to a West Leeds scrum and the resultant cross-field kick found Calderwood who added his second of the game and Breakwell converted the most difficult attempt of the day. 5-29.
Roundhegians continued to trouble the West Leeds defence with some strong running and imaginative kicking and were unlucky not to get the reward their efforts deserved.
With the half drawing to a close the visitors pack was gaining the edge which resulted in Damerell adding a pushover try which went unconverted. HT 5-34.
The second half began much as the first ended, but on 45 minutes Captain Neave found himself in possession in his own half and scored a magnificent (some would say greedy) try.
Neave left tacklers in his wake and even side stepped two defenders in their own in goal area to score under the posts. The conversion was inevitable. 5-41
Three minutes later a clear break by Calderwood gave K Breakwell the chance to get on the scorecard and cousin Dale Breakwell added the conversion 5-48.
Some sloppy passing from West Leeds was giving Roundhegians the chance to counter attack however the try they scored on 55 minutes was due to some clever work from Dobson and strong running from Crabtree gave him the try. The conversion attempt was wide of the mark 10-48.
It took another three minutes for Wests forwards to force the Roundhegians pack backwards and Penny made it 10-53.
The home side stuck to their task and made every effort to add to their tally but the final score of the game came from Calderwood following six passes. FT 10-58.
A good afternoon’s entertainment with both sides contributing some fine rugby.
Next week West Leeds entertain Ripon in a rearranged Yorkshire Division 2 fixture KO 3PM.