Leeds bag the 5 points and look for a strong finish to a tricky season

Saturday 17th April 2022

This report can also be viewed on Leeds Tykes boost survival hopes with thrilling win against Plymouth Albion | Yorkshire Evening Post

The report

A pumped-up Leeds side, 8 points adrift from their nearest relegation rivals (Blackheath), made a much better start than they have in the last few games. Within 2 minutes the centre Tom Williams dived over for a try, following a well worked phase through the middle of the field. The conversion from Charlie Venables made it seven-nil. Yet, only 2 minutes later the Plymouth number 8, Torin Clarke ran in for an easy score after gathering a spilled up-and-under and finding himself unmarked with Leeds defence slow to react. The conversion from Tom Putt drew the score level, but on the 8th minute Leeds got a penalty that Venables took with ease. The lead was further extended in the 21st minute when the other Leeds centre, Paddy Case, chipped the ball into space and regathered smartly it for a five-point score.

Leeds then had another 5-point score before the half hour mark as the left winger Harry Jukes finished in the right corner after a great bit of passing from Venables and Karasauskas. However, the lead was reduced when the Plymouth hooker Jamie Salter went over the line in a driving mall and Putt converted. But Leeds finished the half on the front foot with Venables scoring and converting his own try under the sticks. The half time score of 27-14 in favour of Leeds put them in the driving seat, with both wingers performing to a high standard.

Leeds were unfortunately put on the backfoot right at the start of the second half when the Plymouth hooker finished off a driving mall. Following this early setback, Venables kicked a 49th minute penalty to get some scoreboard reward after an extended period with the ball in hand. But less than 5 minutes later the Plymouth hooker completed a hat-trick of tries form driving malls, all of which were converted. Fortunately, the tension of a 2-point lead was reduced a few minutes before the hour mark when Jake Brady scored from a powerful driving mall, responding robustly to the second-half physical challenge of Plymouth. Despite a 4th try from Jamie Salter, Venables stretched the Leeds lead with a hard-earned 79th minute try that finally broke down a frustratingly stubborn Plymouth defence. A penalty just before the final whistle saw Plymouth secure 2 points to increase the chances of their own safety in the division. With a bonus point win, Leeds find themselves only 3 points behind Blackheath and 2 must-win games in hand for survival.