Leeds Tykes

Leeds roar back to claim maiden victory

By Angela Rimmington Brown
Thomas Collins tackling an Esher player

Leeds Tykes climbed off the bottom of National One, after a spirited second half fightback against Esher saw them take maximum points.

Tighe Maxwell-Whiteley’s conversions proved pivotal as they recovered from 24-12 down with 19 minutes to go to snatch a morale boosting win.

The evenly matched encounter started quick with winger Will Foster crossing after just three minutes for the home side. Crucially the conversion drifted wide.

The home side lost a man to the sinbin after 10 minutes paving the way for the Tykes to respond. Seremaia Bai Turagabeci rounded off an impressive score which Maxwell-Whitely duly converted with help from both uprights.

Despite being a man down, Esher struck again in the 17th minute with scrum-half Pierre Thompson crossing to regain the lead for his side. The extras once again went begging.

In keeping with the fast pace both sides were setting, Grayson Maguire, closed out the half with a try for the Yorkshiremen to give them a priceless two-point lead at the interval.

The second half started with a yellow card being shown to Leeds’ Jake Brady just after the home side had retaken the lead via a penalty try. Neither side managed to trouble the scoreboard during the sinbin period.

Esher’s Sam Morley touched down under the posts to give himself the easiest of conversions, Esher’s only successful kick.

Tykes second row John Okafor hit back for Leeds after a break from Keiran Davies, who had been lively al match, as Maxwell-Whitely once again added the extras.

The final score of the game came through substitute Junior Nu’u who crossed for a try which Tighe converted to nudge the Tykes in front

The Tykes stayed connected in defence to produce a firm show off defiance and secure a 24-26 victory, a win which they hope can give them confidence for next week’s game against Chinnor.

After the match, Club Captain, Trystan Lloyd said: “It was a touch match. We came out of the blocks sharp, but Esher managed to capitalise. From there it was an uphill battle. We managed to go in at the break ahead. In a sense it was like we won the game twice as we had to come from behind. The boys showed a lot of discipline and managed the game at the end.

“It feels like we can now start to build on the last couple of performances.”

Final score 24 – 26
(HT 10-12)

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