Match report 24 January

Sheepish lapses see Tykes butted at Rams

Leeds Tykes were left to rue lapses in discipline as Axel Kalling-Smith’s hat-trick propelled Rams to victory at Old Bath Road, despite a spirited and resilient display in windy conditions from the visitors.

The hosts made the early running and opened the scoring from a catch-and-drive after a sequence of penalties gifted field position. Leeds spent long periods defending their line but showed impressive organisation before hitting back clinically. A well-worked line-out move on halfway split the Rams defence, Connor Walker diving over next to the posts, with Ed Crossland converting to put the Tykes briefly ahead.

Rams responded with Harry Stone’s score following further pressure, but Leeds again demonstrated their attacking threat. However, repeated infringements proved costly as the first half wore on. Eddie Brown was shown a yellow card for his side’s accumulation of penalties. While he served his 10 minutes in the bin, a turnover in midfield allowed Seramaia Bai Turagabeci to burst through and Crossland added the conversion to restore Leeds’ lead, rewarding their ambition and accuracy.

As the first forty continued, territory conceded through penalties allowed Rams to build momentum and, although Kalling-Smith was initially held up, the winger soon struck to level the scores. The decisive blow before the interval came when Zach Clow crossed over in the left corner, securing the bonus point and handing Rams control at the break.

After the restart, playing into the stiff breeze Leeds continued to battle, disrupting at the opposition’s line-out, even if their own was error-strewn, and contesting fiercely at the breakdown. But further penalties invited pressure and Kalling-Smith extended the lead, first finishing a team move before completing his treble with a solo effort in the corner.

To their credit, Leeds refused to fold. One attack ended with no score as the ball was held up. However, Albert Bradshaw powered over from a surging run and was denied a second when tackled as he dived for the line. From the ensuing penalty, Walker added his second from close range to secure a valuable bonus point. The away side continued to threaten with a late rally, but Rams managed the closing stages with composure.

For Leeds Tykes, the performance showed character and attacking quality, but indiscipline at key moments ultimately tilted a tight contest out of reach.

Speaking after the match, Director of Rugby Pete Seabourne said: “I am disappointed with the result. I thought we came here with a really good shot, but we gave too many penalties away in the first half. Ill discipline cost us. In the second half, we went to chase the game and the players dug in. Scoring four tries meant we got a bonus point out of it. Once we sort our discipline out and manage our own penalties better, we have shown we are competing in games and putting teams away when we do not go too many points behind.

“It was good to see Alex Green get his debut, Kieran Davies play 60 minutes and Louis Guthrie go the full 80. Josh Hough was brave to play at tighthead for the whole match.”

Speaking about his return to the pitch, full-back Kieran Davies added: “I am enjoying being back. Obviously it has been a long lay-off, but I am confident I am back for the foreseeable. It was just a tough result today.”