Ruthless Tykes shine in the sun
Under a blazing autumn sun, Leeds Tykes ran in eight tries to beat Cambridge 33-57 on a dusty, hard pitch, repeatedly forcing errors from the hosts and ruthlessly capitalising on them.
The hosts opened the scoring when Jude White crossed, with Luke Bouchier converting, but Leeds were soon level. A powerful driving maul provided the platform for Adam Brown to touch down, with Eddie Crossland adding the conversion.
From there, Leeds began to find gaps in the Cambridge defence and were ruthless when they appeared. Kieran Davies scored after a well-executed line-out exit before Charlie Venables and Matt Salisbury also crossed, as Crossland enjoyed a good afternoon of kicking from the tee. He converted all three.
Cambridge did manage to respond through a converted Harry Nicholls try and Eli Caven touching down, but Leeds remained in control, Crossland adding a penalty to give the Tykes a 19-31 lead at half-time.
The hosts came out strongly after the break and Jake McCay powered over to secure Cambridge’s try bonus point Bouchier added the extras. Leeds, though, responded in kind, exploiting the home side’s mistakes.
Davies added his second converted try, running down the wing after another opening in the Cambridge defence, before George Bolam burst through for another five-pointer. The post denied Crossland’s conversion. Ben Bailey then finished after further pressure, with the extras added.
Callum Smyth scored a late, converted consolation for Cambridge, but it was Ben Turpin who completed the Tykes’ try haul, with Crossland finishing his kicking duties with ease..
Cambridge’s errors certainly helped Leeds’ cause, but the visitors still had to make the most of those opportunities – and they did so with speed and precision. When gaps opened, Leeds attacked them.
Apart from the opening try, the remainder of Leeds’ scores came from long range, including Eddie Crossland’s penalty, which he kicked from the halfway line.
Speaking after the match, Director of Rugby, Pete Seabourne said: “That was a really good performance. I’m really pleased today. We’ve coming here to do a job, the weather was kind to us for a change; we’ve been here when it’s rained and with the wind blowing sideways. There were some really good performances in there. I thought the pack played well, putting us in the right position and with good set pieces. The backs showed how clinical we can be when we are able to get good ball.
“Tom Williams played his 100th match for the Tykes last week and Tom Collins played his today. Congratulations to them. They are both stalwarts of the club. Hope to see everyone on Friday evening for the Sale match.”
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