West Leeds RUFC 50 Old Grovians 10
It was back to action for West Leeds following last week’s fixture chaos left the 1st XV without a game, writes Glenn Broadbent.
Old Grovians make the short trip from Apperly Bridge (Woodhouse Grove School) in good form following their defeat of Barnsley last Saturday.
It took 12 minutes before the first real attempt at a score which was a penalty attempt from Dale Breakwell which hit the post. The play up to this point had been equal and well organized. Four minutes later it was the turn of Grovians to aim for three points which they duly collected from the boot of influential Griffen 0-3.
It didn’t take long for Wests to hit back with a smart kick through and great hands leading to a strong run from Calderwood ending with George Carpenter cantering over the line for a try and Breakwell converted 7-3.
On 23 minutes Grovians got themselves in a good position and West Leeds conceded their second penalty of an in disciplined afternoon, this time though the visitors made a total hash of the kick.
The play was still evenly balanced until Grovians schoolboy error allowed a quickly taken penalty by Gareth Stokes lead to a fine run from skipper Sam Neave who scored a great try, Breakwell failed with the conversion 12-3.
With just two minutes of the half remaining James Kirk found himself with a 10 minute sin bin visit for an illegal tackle. HT 12-3.
The second half began with Wests forwards putting on the pressure and Stokes quick thinking and strength lead to another unconverted try 17-3.
Wests were now in the ascendancy Kirk battered his way to a try and Breakwell was back at his best with a carefully taken two points 24-3.
3 minutes later on 55 minutes another strong run from Neave found Calderwood who added a try and Breakwell converted 31-3.
The reader may be thinking this was one way traffic but it has to be said Grovians were extremely well drilled and the score was already starting to flatter Wests. Indeed persistent pressure and tenacity gave visitors a try and conversion from Griffen. 31-10.
Wests again soon hit back with a what was the try of the game the ball moving swiftly through a number of passes for Danny Booth to score and Breakwell with another great conversion. 38-10.
George Carpenter saw the referees yellow card on 72 minutes meaning West for the 2nd time this year played 25% of the game with 14 men.
Despite the 1 man deficit did not change the run of play and a smartly taken free kick from Breakwell sent Neave on one of his characteristic runs ending in another try for Booth 43-10.
An unsavory incident involving four Grovian players and one from West Leeds was dealt with promptly and firmly by the referee who had a great afternoon. He was busy seconds later adding a 3rd West Leeds player (Dec Penny) to his yellow card list.
The final play of the game saw West Leeds put on a show of simple but entertaining rugby to give Sean Fields a try and Breakwell another conversion.
FT 50-3.
As mentioned earlier this score doesn’t do Grovians justice they are well organized and have youth on their side but were up against a side who clinically at times and with extreme flair at other take every opportunity available to them.
Old Otliensians 2nd XV 0-70 West Leeds 2nd XV
West Leeds took a 21-man squad to this friendly fixture in order to give fringe players a start, with key players rested they still came away 0-70 victors with the referee bringing the game to a close on 70 minutes.
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