Sat 11 Sep 2021
Roundhegians 7- West Leeds 16
Hegians welcomed local rivals West Leeds to the memorial ground, hoping to start off their home campaign with a win. With James Dobson returning to the starting line up after being unavailable last week, Sam Trutch back as 2nd row and Dave Gregory returning from injury, Hegians were starting to have more players available now.
Hegians started the game brightly and were soon on the attack. Good turnovers by Dave Wilson and Ali Coe kept the pressure on West Leeds and allowed Hegians to gain some momentum. Eventually, Hegians were awarded a penalty about 40 metres out and Alex Jones opted for the kick at goal, which he pushed wide. The goal line drop out went straight out and so Hegians had a chance for a catch and drive to score a try but were penalised for binding in front of the ball.
West Leeds made their way up field and from a penalty kicked to gain a lineout just outside the Hegians 22. A good move from West Leeds and a cut out ball put their winger in space as he almost got a try in the corner, but the referee deemed that he was touch in goal and this resulted in a drop out. However, West Leeds were immediately on the attack and a couple of good offloads allowed them to score in the corner. With the conversion missed, West Leeds went into a 5-0 lead.
On 26 minutes, Hegians were on the attack again as a good kick pinned the opposition back, but accidental offside allowed them to clear their lines. West Leeds were soon back on the attak as Hegians gave away a series of penalties and with one in front of the posts for not releasing they opted for the kick to take a lead of 8-0. West Leeds were looking the more dangerous team at this stage and after some poor tackling, Hegians were penalised, this time for a high tackle on the 22 and this allowed West Leeds to add a further 3 points to take the lead to 11-0 as half time approached.
Henry Wareham came on at the start of the second half and from the kick off he bumped into the opposition winger, who had to leave the field due to the collision. Hegians looked a bit brighter at the start of the second half and a good backs move from a shortened lineout produced an overlap,which ended when the ball was passed into touch. However, on 48 minutes an excellent back move from Hegians put Jonny Thorpe away in space for him to score a well worked try. The conversion from Alex Jones took the score to 11-7. The game was now close, with both teams finding it difficult to get another score. Hegians had a bit more territory than in the first half, but West Leeds were strong at the lineout and this prevented Hegians gaining any momentum in attack.
On 75 minutes, Hegians gave away a penalty and from a driving maul West Leeds were able to move the ball left and then back again right and with men over scored in the corner For the last few minutes Hegians raised their efffort to try and get something out of the game. A good 50-22 kick from James Dobson got Hegians on to the attack again. West Leeds then started to give a series of penalties away and with a number of quick taps, Hegians made their way up the field. This resulted in a yellow card against West Leeds and a penalty on the 22, which allowed Alex Jones a chance to kick a penalty to try and gain a losing bonus point. Unfortunately the kick drifted wide and the referee blew the whistle for the end of the game.
Hegians played well at times during the game but not quite able to sustain enough pressure throughout the game and with further problems at the lineout they lacked enough possession to really threaten West Leeds. Next week Hegians have a tough game away at Selby who are currently top of the league and Hegians will need to be somewhere near their best to get something out of the game.
