13.3.13

Leeds University 25-16 Leeds Met

The Leeds University Men’s Rugby 2nds defeated rivals Leeds Met 25-16 on a snowy afternoon at Weetwood. This convincing Varsity victory was also enough to relegate the Gryphons’ cross-town opponents.

Harry Thorogood’s excellent kicking put the University in contention right from the start. However, this standard was matched by his Met counterpart who have them a 9-6 lead at the half hour mark.

With many players enjoying their final game in a Gryphons shirt, there was an excitable atmosphere on the terraces. Tensions were boiling over on the pitch too with a ruckus ending in one Leeds Met player bizarrely taking his shirt off and throwing it to the ground.

After a knock-on decision didn’t go their way, the Gryphons rallied to take the lead through a try by Adam Dixon. While the conversion was missed, a series of clever offloads allowed Matt Cragg to score and extend the University’s lead to 18-9.

As the weather flirted between blizzard and sunshine, the Gryphons put to bed any chance of a Met comeback. Liam Cleary ran the best part of 40 yards to score a try and make the final result 25-16 to the University.