Sheffield 3rd XV vs The University of Leeds 5th XV On a typically wet Sheffield afternoon, The University of Sheffield men’s rugby union 3rd XV hosted Leeds 5 XV for the first league game of the season. With the conditions not particularly suited to running rugby, it hung in the balance as to whether ‘Das 3rds’ could continue playing the flamboyant rugby they have gained a reputation for, and that the spectators had been waiting months to watch. Both teams showed their early season nerves in the initial exchanges with neither team settling into the game immediately and trading knock-ons. The referee didn’t help the flow of the game with his somewhat petty policing of the rucks. Leeds were the first team to settle into their game, but some solid defence from Sheffield prevented them from scoring despite a lengthy period in the Sheffield 22. Higgs Boson stood out, putting in a huge hit to force a Leeds knock on just outside the 22. Leeds eventually came away with three points. This lapse seemed to spring Sheffield into life, and they started to play the rugby they had shown they could in pre-season training. Alex Kuklenko soon got into a metronomic rhythm with his line-out throws despite the windy conditions, whilst Tom Penn jumped well to win much of Sheffield’s own ball whilst stealing some of Leeds’. Sheffield spent the final ten minutes of the half in the Leeds 22, with standout forward Matt McKean making some great carries from the base of the scrum, but some admirable defence from Leeds and the lack of a clinical edge from Sheffield prevented any points being scored. The half time score was 3-0. The second half started with Leeds on the front foot, but some good tackling from the Sheffield forwards managed to dispel the ball from the arms of the Leeds flanker. This induced a hectic pinball effect with the ball eventually being hoofed downfield by Aaron Powell, the Sheffield inside centre. Substitute Cameron Leff made an instant impact when he came on and boshed his opposite number before galloping down the wing for an excellent gain; however Sheffield again could not convert their possession into any points. The turning point in the game came with 15 minutes to go when Leeds were camped in Sheffield’s 22. The Sheffield forwards were defending brilliantly with debutant Matt McKean standing out around the rucks throwing his body everywhere. Sheffield were warned that another offence would result in a sin bin and replacement James Indoe succumbed to the referee’s apparent hypnotic powers and was sent to the bin for a team offence. Leeds came away with three points, and soon after, Sheffield’s lack of organization in the midfield led to Leeds scoring under the posts. The score was 13-0 with eight minutes to play. Sheffield again showed heart from the kick-off and contained Leeds in their own half. When the ball was turned over the peoples’ first team showed their capabilities and were now playing by far the most attractive rugby of the game. The game finished on a high for Sheffield with Sam Elliot going under the posts to end the game in a 13-7 loss. It was evident that Sheffield could play an attractive brand of rugby and with hard work over the next few weeks; the shortfalls could easily be ironed out, showing promise for the season.
Posted on: Thu, 10 Oct 2013 11:57:05 +0000
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