|
|
|
| |
U21'S LOSE OUT TO BULLS
The Senior Academy went down 28-36 to Bradford at Headingley Carnegie on Friday night despite a second half fightback.
It was the visitors who got the perfect start, after only two minutes on the clock when Craig Kopczak offloaded gave Mark Flanagan a walk in by the side of the posts, he converted the try himself to put the Bulls 6-0 up.
It rocked the Rhinos but the managed to hit back on 11 minutes, after a superb 40-20 from Kyle Briggs. Leeds went to the blind side and Chris Buttery and Jordan Tansey combined to send James Archibald in at the corner. Gibson was unable to convert from the touchline but the Rhinos were back in the game.
Then the Bulls struck with two tries in 6 minutes to stretch their lead. Firstly on 14 minutes Dave Halley broke through from poor Leeds defence deep in his own half, he got to halfway before giving Richard Johnson a clear run to the line from half way. Then it was Halley himself, on the last tackle, he threw a big dummy, changed direction and went in under the posts untouched. Flanagan converted both and Leeds were behind 18-4.
It was the Rhinos turn to strike at the double, first on 26 minutes an inside ball from Kyle Briggs released Jordan Tansy, he found Michael Brown in support. The substitute had options both ways and he went to Jason Hart who raced over from 20 metres. Three minutes later, it was Briggs who showed great footwork and strength to get through the Bradford line from 10 metres out on the last tackle. Gibson converted both and suddenly the gap was down to two points.
The Bulls then turned the game on its head be striking twice in the lead up to half, first capitalizing on a Leeds mistake the ball was moved left and Matt Cook went over and then three minutes before the break Halley went from dummy half on his own 20 and through a huge gap for a great solo effort. Luke Helliwell took over the goal kicking and was successful with both to send the Bulls 30-16 up at half time.
Leeds had a mountain to climb to get back into the game. But the gained a foothold after 54 minutes. An attempted 40-20 from Helliwell went out on the full and from the scrum Briggs found Michael Ratu and he got on the outside of his marker to go down the South Stand touchline to score. Gibson converted and the gap was down to 8 points.
Leeds desperately needed the next score but it went the way of the Bulls after 61 minutes, Jordan Tansey fumbled a little kick by Mark Flanagan near the line. Flanagan recovered the ball and gave Eddie Kilroy a walk in at the corner. Helliwell converted from the sideline and Bradford were 36-22 ahead and Leeds were back to the half time deficit.
Try as they did Leeds just could get through some resolute defence, but the spotted the light at the end of the tunnel on 68 minutes, Tom Sheldrake finding Tansey who went on a jinking run before his offload saw Ashley Gibson power his way over the line. Gibson converted the gap was back to 8 points and all to play for.
Unfortunately there was to be no comeback as the resolute Bulls defence held on. It was a deserved 36-28 for the visitors.
For the Rhinos, Kyle Briggs again showed he is settling in at the level after stepping up from the Under 18’s. As do Ben Kaye at hooker and winger Ryan Hall. The SouthStander.com man of the match went to Michael Brown, after coming on from the bench his powerful running was a feature of the game and he took the team forward on many occasions.
By Matthew Horton
|
|
Click here for news archives
|
|
|
|
