West Leeds RUFC 62-8 Ripon
Was it the wind or was it a bit of nerves? With promotion to Yorkshire Division 1 on the menu West Leeds put in a slightly scrappy performance despite the scoreline suggesting otherwise, writes Glenn Broadbent.
It was the usual quick start for West Leeds with a first minute try from Calderwood which was converted by Dale Breakwell.
Wests spent the next 12 minutes camped in the opposition half before a great break from Jones lead to a period of pressure from Ripon, eventually the referee saw fit to award a penalty to the visitors which was duly converted. 7-3
Wests hit back on the 24th minute with the forwards efforts resulting in a push over try for James Kirk. The wind played havoc with the conversion attempt. 12-3.
Two minutes later an imaginative break from Calderwood set up Captain Neave who made a strong run to score, Breakwell converted. 19-3
Ripon were threatening on a regular basis but could not turn pressure into points and on the 32nd minute Keir Breakwell made a defence splitting run and unselfishly presented Calderwood with his 2nd try, a difficult conversion went in off the post. 26-3
Again Ripon were putting in a good shift and threatening the home side and eventually got the try they deserved in the 35th minute which went unconverted 26-8.
West hit straight back when Neave received the ball on 37 minutes, side stepped 3 players and scored his second of the afternoon. Breakwell converted his best of the afternoon. HT 33-8.
Ripon started the second half in the ascendancy and were the best side for the first 10 minutes of play. But it was West Leeds who added to their score following a cross-field kick against the run of play, giving the prolific Calderwood another five points the resultant conversion hit the posts 38-8.
A further eight minutes of end to end play ensued before Calderwood broke from inside his own half to score his fourth try of the afternoon. 43-8.
And it was Calderwood again following a clever pass from Dale Breakwell, the conversion attempt was wide. 48-8.
With 71 minutes on the clock the home side strung together a series of passes the end product being a Keir Breakwell try, converted by cousin Dale. 55-8.
The final score of the game came on 76 minutes with a break from Stokes and conversion from Breakwell taking the full time score to 62-8.
Ripon were a well coached side strong in the forwards and quick in the backs, the effort they applied deserved more.
West Leeds gained promotion and hit the 100-point barrier but they know they have a lot to do to clinch the title with Keighley breathing down their neck.
Next week sees Barnsley visit Blue Hill Lane, KO 3pm.