Leeds’ lights landmark

Leeds Tykes welcomed a bumper crowd to West Park Leeds RUFC as they celebrated promotion back to rugby’s third tier, remaining unbeaten on home turf for two successive seasons in the process.

Local rivals Harrogate played their part in a tense spectacle, coming to West Yorkshire intent on spoiling the league leaders’ party. As has been the case throughout the campaign, Leeds needed a shot in the arm to find their groove.

The visitors opened the scoring on 6 minutes through number 8 Will Hill, full back Rory Macnab converted. Not resting on their laurels, the hosts responded with a fine example of attacking play. The fast tempo move consisted of multiple phases, with several outside backs getting their hands on the ball. Rejoining the move from deep, Seremaia Bai Turagabeci burst through the last line of defence on the angle to score under the posts. He then added the simplest of conversions to level the scores.

Just past the half hour mark, Tykes’ captain Adam Brown found himself in the unfamiliar position of wing for the second successive match. This time, instead of passing the ball back inside to a supporting player to score, he charged headfirst for the line to edge his side in front. Turagabeci missed with the extras from a wide angle.

With big shots flying in, both sides struggled to gain any meaningful momentum and the hard fought first half ended with the score at 12-7 in Leeds’ favour.

Determined to secure maximum points with many potential new supporters watching on, Leeds came out with a point to prove, unwilling to let anyone put the mockers on their achievements before the formal trophy presentation.

With the first sustained period of attack in the second half, Leeds were celebrating once again. Adam Brown continued his charge towards the top of National 2 North’s try scoring charts with a trademark catch and drive touchdown from close range. Turagabeci was once again on target to extend the Tykes’ lead.

Scrapping for their lives at the bottom end of the division, Harrogate were resolved to fight for every possible point. They worked as a team to spoil every Leeds attack they could and made some positive inroads themselves, only to be foiled at the final hurdle.

It took the champions until the final quarter to add to their points total, with star man Turagabeci securing a personal brace of tries and the winning bonus point. He missed with the conversion but didn’t let his head drop. He, along with the vast majority of the Leeds backline played a key role in the fifth and final Leeds try, which was finished off by Kit Keith. The replacement utility back found himself with space on the wing to show great invention and seal the Tykes’ victory.

Harrogate scored two late tries adding respectability to the final score, both of which were credited to Kodie Brook; in their haste to try and secure a try bonus point of their own in defeat, both conversions were taken quickly and didn’t hit the target.

In his post-match comments, Director of Rugby Pete Seabourne said: “To go for two successive seasons unbeaten at home is a great achievement for everyone associated with the club. Full credit to the players for their efforts this year, they fronted up well against Harrogate to test us. “We were patched up at the end with a few players carrying knocks. We’ve only trained once this week, so in the circumstances I am pleased with the performance.”

Hinting at more good times ahead for the Tykes, he added: “This is just step one of our journey back to where we want to be as a club. We’ll respect the league by finishing the season strongly at Tynedale in a few weeks’ time. If we can end the season having only lost one game, that will be a fantastic achievement, for which the players deserve all the credit.”

Sponsors’ Man of the Match, Jerry Turagabeci explained: “Harrogate came to spoil our party tonight, so it was important that we didn’t let the occasion get the better of us. I enjoy playing with the freedom that the full back role gives me and feel like I get my hands on the ball to make things happen more often. I’m scoring tries at the moment, but the team keeping on winning is the priority. We’ll work hard to finish the season well in two weeks and rest up before the tough challenges ahead of us in National One.”

The Tykes know that a bonus point victory in their final outing of the season will surpass the points total set by Rotherham Titans last season. If ever they needed something to play for after a few weeks of celebrations, there can be no bigger motivation.