Match Lost, Mission Accomplished
A disrupted start set the tone as Leeds Tykes fell to a clinical Blackheath side, with kick-off delayed by 50 minutes after the visitors were held up by travel problems.
When the action finally began, Blackheath wasted little time asserting control, scoring inside the first minute. A sharp tap-and-go punished Leeds’ offside line for the opening try from Jake Hennessey. Confusion soon followed as a second was awarded with little visible build-up when Finley O’Sullivan crossed. Sam Morley converted both to hand the visitors an early 14-0 lead.
Leeds showed glimpses of intent, with Eddie Crossland and Connor Walker carrying strongly into the wind, but territory proved difficult to sustain. Handling errors and a testing breeze disrupted momentum, while Blackheath’s kicking game repeatedly forced Leeds back.
Defensively, there were moments to admire. Louis Guthrie produced a thunderous hit to halt a dangerous maul, and Leeds briefly threatened from a scrum on the visitors’ 10-metre line. Yet each opportunity was met by Blackheath’s composure, either through turnover or clearance. Leeds’ pressure eventually told when Ben Dixon crossed to reduce the deficit. The Tykes’ job was made harder when Crossland was shown a yellow card.
The pattern continued after the break. Blackheath’s power and precision extended their advantage, with multiple scores, including a hat-trick for William Harding, underlining their promotion credentials.
Leeds did respond through tries from Connor Walker and Alexander Pleasants, with the extras added by Seremaia Bai Turagabeci and Crossland, but the outcome was never in doubt as Blackheath added further tries through Archie Bourne and Noah Sloot.
Ultimately, the visitors’ clinical edge and early dominance proved decisive, leaving Leeds to reflect on a performance where effort remained high but execution faltered at key moments.
Speaking after the match, Director of Rugby Pete Seabourne said: “Obviously that was a disappointing result. Blackheath came and did a job on us. They showed why they are a top two team – they’re outstanding, they’re clinical in certain areas of the field. But I thought we battled hard. We scored three tries and could have got a fourth.
“If you look at the season we’ve had – we didn’t get anything out of the first five games and we’ve come away with 57 points and we’re clear of the play-offs. So I’m really pleased for the players and the staff – it’s been a really tough year. A good transition year for us and now we go to Plymouth next week, enjoy ourselves, and then take stock of where we are to work out how we get higher up the table next season.”
Thank you to Maven Radd who sponsored the match. Siobhán Hagerty from Maven Radd chose Connor Walker as Leeds Tykes’ Player of the Match. The POTM is sponsored by Horsforth Brewery.
Connor shared his thoughts on being Player of the Match: “It’s great. I’ve never had it before – I feel really positive about it, to be fair.”
On the match, Connor added: “It was always going to be a tough game against Blackheath. It would’ve been nice to get the extra try and secure a bonus point at the end, but it wasn’t to be. All credit to them and their game plan. We knew exactly what they were doing, we just weren’t close enough.”
Thank you Aarin Yorke!
After an incredible career on the pitch, Aarin will hang up his boots at the end of this season. The timing couldn’t be more poignant – yesterday marked a massive milestone as Aarin celebrated his 50th appearance for Leeds Tykes.
Here’s Aarin as a 17-year-old pulling on the shirt for an academy appearance, and at his last home match yesterday with his family.
Don’t miss out!
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