Will Byron’s fantastic interception
With Leeds 3-0 down in the opening stages of the first half and firmly on the back foot, Beckett come very close to the opening try but are denied by a fantastic interception. It seemed like an early try might open the floodgates for a dominant Beckett side, but an offload is expertly executed by the Leeds’ defense, despite intense pressure.
Leeds claim the opening try against the run of play
After spending most of the 30 minutes camped in their own half, Leeds University defended diligently but showed little attacking threat. This all changed in the 35th minute when Harry Jukes pulls off a smart interception and carries the ball some 80 yards before scoring under the sticks. The try is converted to give Leeds a healthy 4-point lead going into halftime.
Things get heated from the restart
Leeds kick-off the second half confidently, which was something that they lacked earlier on in the game. However, in the 47th minute an altercation breaks out between the two teams which results in one player from each team being sent to the sin bin. Having fewer players on the pitch left more spaces to run into for both side, and for the next ten minutes both sides looked threatening when they played the ball out wide.
Beckett kick their way in front
Despite spending most of the second half on the defensive, Beckett retake the lead with a pair of well taken penalties, one from over 40 yards in the 63rd minute. In a tightly fought game it looked like Beckett would be able to kick their way to victory unless Leeds could find a miraculous breakthrough.
Leeds respond immediately
Only two minutes after falling behind, Leeds drag themselves back in front as the ball is bundled over the line by Will Byron. Despite the try being scored right in the corner of the pitch, Luke White stepped up and delivered a fantastic conversion to make the score 14-9 to Leeds.
A pair of well taken penalties see the game out
After retaking the lead, Leeds look determined not to lose it and spend much of the final twenty minutes attacking on the opposition’s twenty two. Their aggression is rewarded with a pair of penalty kicks, which are successfully taken by Luke White, putting the game to bed at 20-9. Even a couple of pitch invaders couldn’t spoil the party for the University of Leeds who came out as worthy winners against their local rivals.
Ian White
Photo Credit: The Independent