Firsts v Leodesians
KNOTTINGLEY
46 LEODESIANS
18
Saturday
12th November 2005
Knottingley
got their season back on track in dominant style, thanks to a thundering pack
performance against fellow strugglers Leos.
Emerging
from this emphatic victory there was a sense of relief not only with the players
but also throughout the supporters.
This was a resounding all round team performance which they had
threatened to pull off prior to this game, unfortunately for Leos it was them
that were on the receiving end of a vastly improved home
side.
Although
falling behind in the third minute to a Leos penalty Knottingley were never in
danger of losing the game and with their forwards setting the platform the backs
were allowed to show the pace and skills they are renowned
for.
Following
on from that early penalty it was another thirty minutes before they found
themselves once again with any real territorial advantage as they had to defend
deep in their own half.
Knottingley
pack got the go forward through their rolling mauls and good ruck play and paved
the way for their first score when, through quick hands in the backs, skipper
Michael Ash hared in under the post for a well taken try, Steven Coutts landing
the conversion. Knottingley went in front, a lead they never relinquished
throughout the game. With half
backs Steven Rocket and Will Stanfield orchestrating behind a rampant pack it
was not long before they increased their lead, following good lineout ball and
the safe catching of Andrew Lund.
The movement was set up for the forwards to get good ground forward to
set up the chance to release stand off half Stanfield to dummy his way to the
try line with Coutts conversion Knottingley were good value for their
lead.
The
only answer Leos had at this stage were the penalties they were awarded but on
every occasion were thwarted by a magnificent home defence. Knottingley made it 22-3 when on twenty
eight minutes Stanfield went over, showing good feet, for his second try
although the conversion was missed Knottingley were still in a commanding lead
albeit though Leos hit back when for a long time they found themselves to a
great extent with some much needed go forward as their prop burst through some
lacklustre tackling and fed the full back to go over for the try. They only blip for Knottingley in a
dominated first half performance.
The
second half saw Knottingley get off to a cracking start when from the home sides
kick off Leos split the ball. From
this Knottingley's pack acquired the pressure for centre Chris Charlton to make
the half break kick through for the chasing Michael Ash to go in for his second
try.
Leos
however, managed to put their opposition on the back foot and careless play by
Knottingley gave Leos a penalty, which they converted for three
points. Once again though
Knottingley came up with the ball from the kick off, recycling the ball in the
forwards, it was whipped out into the backs and interpassing between Michael Ash
and Chris Charlton saw the latter go in over the white
wash.
A
series of penalties awarded against the home side gave Leos an easy passage deep
into Knottingleys territory, pressing to increase their score, but tenacious
tackling from Andy Hurd and Carl Langton was keeping them at bay. Still mounting the pressure through
their forwards Leos attempted to get the backs moving. However, the ever alert
Steven Rocket was aware of the threat, intercepted the pass and went on a full
length of the field run finishing in the corner for the try just evading the
opposition's winger, Coutts duly landing the touch line conversion. Knottingley at this stage decided to go
away from the game plan somewhat, playing off the cuff rugby expecting to score
from every play instead of being patient and doing what they had been doing and
doing it well playing to their strengths taking the commanding lead they had and
pushing on to extend their dominance.
A
thirteen to 5 penalty count in Leos favour was keeping them in the game but they
were finding it hard to break down the defensive wall that Knottingley threw
up. From one such defensive stint
the Marsh Enders came up with the ball and saw Andrew Lund go on a rampaging
clearance run releasing winger Ian Atack although tackled into touch, pressure
at the line out from Knottingley saw them come up with the ball and showing good
mauling skills were able to once again break the white wash when Duncan Barbour
bulldozed his way over the line.
Albeit
dominating every facet of the game there were the two lapses when Leos scored
tries, the one in the first half, and the consolation try four minutes from time
which should have been defended better and with the conversion giving an
emphatic 46-18 win to Knottingley.
Unable
to single any individuals out in such and unequivocal performance, the forwards,
it has to be said laid the platform for the backs to score six of the seven
tries in what proved to be a solid good all round team
performance
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