Leeds tyke's frustrated by fragile start vs Cambridge

Saturday 3rd April 2022

Leeds Tykes took on Cambridge on Saturday 2nd April 2022 at home, on a beautifully sunny day at West Park

This report can also be viewed with photos on Battling Leeds Tykes miss out on bonus point against Cambridge | Yorkshire Evening Post

The report

Despite being at home at West Park RUFC with perfect conditions, it was always going to be difficult for Leeds as they came up against 4th placed Cambridge, who have been on sensational form, losing only once in the previous 12 game and coming into this off a solid 48-24 win over Plymouth Albion. A kick off straight to touch was a disappointing start for Leeds and they were punished as the league’s top try scorer, Benjamin Brownlie, finished a driving mall in the second minute. Cambridge then scored again in the 9th minute as Brownlie got another try from a driving mall. Both tries were comfortably converted for an early 14-0 lead.

Leeds responded with pressure of their own but unfortunately only had a Maxwell-Whitely penalty in the 26th to show for it. Much to the disappointment of the Leeds team, the visitors scored another converted try 2 minutes later through Bownlie again. Yet Leeds must be given credit for sticking in there as they put more pressure on the Cambridge line, which number 3 Dom Hardman capitalised on, bundling over the line less than 5 minutes before the break. The half time score of 21-10 was very credible, considering the difficult start.

Leeds started the second half well as has been noticed in previous weeks but were hugely disappointed as they lost 3 consecutive lineouts and the forward Matt Dawson added to the Cambridge lead with another converted try from close range. Seremaia Bai Turagabeci, who was having a good game at full back, in the place of the absent Andrew Lawson, was then taken off in the 60th minute for an HIA. Despite this further adversity, a Leeds converted try came in the 62nd minute, as the left winger Harry Dukes finished of a crisp passage of passing that had started from the half-way line. Then an inspired show and go from the fly-half, Maxwell-Whitely, to break though the Cambridge defensive line in the 64th minute gave Leeds a third 7-point score, bringing it to 28-24.

Unfortunately, the deficit grew for Leeds when the Cambridge right winger scored a five pointer in the corner, following a quick line break 4 minutes later. The game was made very interesting when Leeds had a penalty 5 minutes from the end. As Leeds needed just one converted try for the lead, the Leeds fans held their breath as the backs looked dangerous again but only a matter of moments later they were back in their own twenty-two. However, as the in-form front-row replacement Tobi Ademakin locked over the ball it seemed Leeds would have another chance. But he was deemed to be off his feet by the referee and the Cambridge back rower Jake McCloud went over for a comfortable 5-point score in 80+4 minutes. The final score line was 38-27, which was certainly not embarrassing. A tight start would no doubt have given Leeds an even greater shot at victory. A strong performance in the backs in the second half, aided by increasing strength in the forwards showed Leeds as a team capable of a much higher finishing position in the league.