Penalties count and penalty counts
Leeds Tykes slipped to a narrow home defeat against Leicester Lions, as discipline proved costly in a game where penalties both shaped the scoring and ultimately swung the result.
Leeds started brightly and looked in control for much of the first half. Seremaia Bai Turagabeci opened the scoring with a penalty inside two minutes before adding another from distance midway through the half. The Tykes built momentum through composed territory play, and when Toby Williams and Jonny Teague combined to carve open the Lions’ defence, Ewan Laughton was on hand to finish under the posts. Turagabeci’s conversion extended the lead, and another penalty followed soon after.
Leicester, however, clawed back an unconverted try just before the break and came out firing in the second period. Two yellow cards for Leeds in the half handed the Lions the initiative. Reduced numbers and repeated infringements pinned the Tykes in their own half, and the visitors took full advantage. A quick-tap penalty allowed Ollie Crane to power over, and Luke Bouchier’s conversion narrowed the gap to 19–12. Turagabeci’s third penalty momentarily steadied the Tykes, but mounting infringements gifted the visitors territory and possession.
With the wind at their backs and confidence growing, the Lions struck twice through Brad McKenna, who finished both moves superbly out wide to secure a bonus-point lead.
Leeds battled to the end but couldn’t find a decisive score. A late penalty for not releasing gave Leicester one final shot at the posts, which they missed – the referee’s whistle immediately following.
Leeds had to settle for a losing bonus point on a frustrating afternoon when, fittingly, penalties kept the scoreboard ticking over and penalty counts allowed the visitors to win the game.
After the match, Head Coach Pete Lucock said: “It’s hard playing up the hill as it is, but we gave them a massive leg up and it was too much to keep them out. You can’t give away 14–15 penalties and expect to win games. I thought the boys put in a big effort; we just need to learn that our discipline has to be better.
“I thought we controlled the first half really well, building a nice lead. We invited too much pressure, which we withstood in the first half, but in the second we were just too ill-disciplined and gave too much away.”
⌛ Final score 19-24
⏳ (HT 16-5)
👈 Your Leeds Tykes scorers
ℹ️ Match centre
🙏 Thanks to Ben Cropper for the match report
Jordan Cordice was the Leeds Tykes Player of the Match. The POTM is sponsored by Horsforth Brewery and was presented by Roger Bloxham.
