Match report 16 January

Fight, flaws and fine margins as Tykes fall short

Leeds Tykes were left to count the cost of missed opportunities and unforced errors as a committed performance ended in a narrow 19-14 defeat to Sale under the Friday night lights. The visitors’ speed to the breakdown and recycling, allied to their composure, proved decisive in a contest that could easily have swung the other way.

The Tykes began sharply. A clean, weaving break from Charlie Venables opened the defence and Ben Dixon finished well to give Leeds an early lead. Seremaia Bai Turagabeci converted, the home side playing with tempo and intent in the opening exchanges. Albert Bradshaw’s pace offered width and threat for the seventy minutes he was on the pitch, but despite early territory, Leeds were unable to fully capitalise.

Sale struck from a five-metre line-out, with Nathan Langdon scoring and Joe Green adding the extras. Sale took the lead through an efficiently functioning maul, Josh Brown driving over for a try that Green converted.

Much of the remainder of the half was played between the 22s, both sides trading territory and possession. Eddie Crossland delivered a superb 50:22, although Leeds were unable to capitalise as the ensuing line-out was lost.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the closing stages of the first, but Leeds’ frustration began to surface. Possession was too often surrendered through loose kicking, handing territory back to Sale, while a malfunctioning line-out undermined promising attacking positions. Decision-making at key moments also faltered, with opportunities to build phases instead ending in clearance kicks that relieved pressure rather than applying it.

Not to be outdone in the 50:22 stakes, Kieran Davies landed one that covered three-quarters of the length of the pitch. In the resulting play, Crossland slipped a well-crafted pass to Sebi Krippner to score, before converting the try himself.

The restart was a short one. Crossland kicked deep for his team-mates to chase and the Sale player dropped the ball into touch. The Tykes’ forwards edged close to the line but possession was lost to the opposition. Within seconds Leeds were defending their own line, Alfie Longstaff scoring an unconverted try. A late scrum penalty to the home side just outside Sale’s 22 offered one final chance to win the match. Ewan Laughton took a tap-and-go penalty, only for a knock-on to happen as Leeds pressed towards the try-line. One final line-out exit allowed Sale to kick to touch and end a contest that had gone right to the wire.

A four-week break since the Tykes last match might have played its part. Leeds showed energy and physical commitment, but there was an edge of rust in execution, especially in the final quarter when clarity was required most.

Speaking after the match, Director of Rugby Pete Seabourne said: “I’m disappointed with the result, but the performance, in patches, we really pushed and tested Sale. I think the difference was that you could see they played last week and we looked a little bit clunky after our enforced longer break.

“But you know, I can’t ask any more of the players; the commitment they’ve put in and if you look at where we started the season – losing heavily at Rotherham, then being turned over at Sale – we beat Rotherham last time out and today we pushed Sale and are disappointed we only got a bonus point, because we could have pinched it at the end.

“There’s a lot to work on and it’s great to have Kieran (Davies) back involved. Obviously he looked tired but completed 20-25 minutes. Hopefully, he’ll get more next week. We are moving in the right direction – onwards to Rams next week.”