This year’s outstanding season from Leeds Rugby League Gryphons did not result in the victory over Leeds Beckett that the team had their hearts set on, but rather a harsh defeat in what was a fast-paced and brutal game of Rugby.

Though Leeds were missing the likes of Jack Blagbrough in the forwards and Jacob Morgan at half-back, the Gryphons arrived to the Carnegie stadium with a strong, capable side which unfortunately just fell short of victory against an undeniably impressive Beckett squad.

The match began with suitable intensity, with a blistering kick chase from kick off that allowed Beckett to put some real pressure on the Gryphons defence. The boys seemed to struggle initially with such a blistering start and this showed as they conceded a try in the third minute of the match. This was not however going to be a simple walkover for the Beckett squad, with the Gryphons responding well to the early try with some ferocious defence, notably from winger Ben Wakefield and loose forward Ben Finder, who both displayed the strong defensive performances that have come to be expected from them this season.

Despite this however, it took two more tries from Leeds Beckett (both of which came from some electric pace from the razor sharp Beckett hooker, Jake Reed) before Leeds looked like they could genuinely win this fixture, as John Beattie crashed over the line for the first university try in the thirty first minute. Shortly after, the game became a rather heated encounter and as the two teams went in at half time with the score at 17-6 (following a more than questionable yellow card for Gryphons winger Matt Wright) the second half was set to be as exhilarating as the first.

The Beckett team began the next half exactly as they had begun the first and they scored another impressively worked try in the forty fifth minute. Despite their best efforts Leeds University struggled to contain the pace of the Beckett attack, which managed to find and exploit gaps that didn’t seem to be there and consequently the score was 35-6 by the seventy first minute.

The Gryphons did not despair though and managed to regain some control over the game towards the closing minutes, with players such as full-back Adam Dyer and half- back, James Woodburn Hall (who went over for his own well worked try in the seventy seventh minute) causing them some real problems in defence.

However as the final whistle blew the score was left at 35-12, meaning that The Gryphons (despite a great performance) were unable to escape defeat against a truly excellent Beckett side.

So what’s to be made of all this? Although Leeds University lost the highly anticipated Varsity fixture, they were certainly not embarrassed or out-classed and ultimately participated in what was a stunning and hugely entertaining game of rugby – a game which rivalled the Leeds Rhinos match which followed. Leeds University can hold their heads high after their performance and perhaps more importantly, they can look with confidence to the play-off games next week which will surely see them be promoted next season.

 

James Candler