Tykes soak up storm to subdue Tigers
Leeds Tykes delivered one of their most assured performances of the season on a wild, rain-soaked night at Park Lane, defeating Sedgley Park Tigers 17-46 in conditions that made every metre hard-earned. Despite the driving rain, biting wind and a pitch that grew heavier by the minute, Leeds adapted with confidence and composure.
The visitors set the tone early, striking inside the opening exchanges when Jonny Teague opened the scoring, with Eddie Crossland adding the conversion. Leeds maintained early momentum and were rewarded again when Kieran Davies crossed after swerving past several defenders following sustained pressure to extend the lead.
Tigers responded with spirit. Lewis Bradley’s quick try from close range, converted by Oliver Glasse, reignited the contest. Leeds answered swiftly, however, with Charlie Venables striking after a run down the wing six minutes later to restore daylight between the two sides. Penalties from Glasse and Crossland followed as both sides wrestled for control, before John Blanchard’s try on the stroke of half-time narrowed the deficit to 17-20.
The second half belonged almost entirely to Leeds. The Tykes seized control early, their tempo and decision-making proving decisive on the heavy surface. Ewan Laughton took a penalty quickly to power over for the bonus-point try, with Crossland adding the extras.
Momentum continued to swing Leeds’ way when a precise cross-field kick sent Venables over for his second try of the night. With Tigers increasingly pinned in their own half, the away side applied relentless pressure and were rewarded again when Alex Green intercepted and sprinted close to the line to score and effectively end any hopes of a home recovery.
Leeds completed the scoring with a well-worked converted pushover try, Eddie Brown grounding to complete the 17-46 win.
That sealed a commanding result for the West Yorkshire outfit, denying Sedgley Park any bonus points as, in driving rain and swirling wind, Leeds showed greater clarity, control and composure to run in seven tries and complete a remarkable 26-0 second-half effort.
Both sides acknowledged the brutal conditions, but Leeds embraced the winter battle and emerged deserved winners under the Friday night lights. With 10 points collected on the road in just six days, Leeds have lifted themselves out of the bottom three.
Speaking after the match, Director of Rugby Pete Seabourne said: “I’m really pleased with the result; coming here tonight and playing in tough conditions that we managed well. We scored some good tries in the first half. In the second half, we controlled the game, controlled the field position, kept our discipline, and the big pleasing thing for the coaching group is that they didn’t score in the second half.
“Sedgley is a tough place to come, especially on a Friday night, but the boys performed remarkably well. We asked them to back it up after last week’s good performance, and they have done.
“Now we get the weekend off, which the lads deserve, and then roll on Bishop’s Stortford next week.”
Defence Coach Jack Moran added: “For all the coaches, that was probably the most satisfying performance today. To score four tries in the second half and Tigers scoring none is a really big thing.
“Last week at Clifton, that was a good win, but it was two-all in the second half and we didn’t get our foot on the throat, but that performance was really dominant and the lads got what they deserve. Mega!”
Next match
A date at The Sycamores
The countdown is almost over. This Saturday, 14 February, we return to The Sycamores to face Bishop’s Stortford, proudly sponsored by Ferndale Pharma.
They say absence makes the heart grow fonder – and after a long stretch away, we can’t wait to be back in front of our own. Start your Valentine’s with a two-course meal and stories in the Clubroom, then settle in for the main event. Book your hospitality now!
After weeks on the road, be there to back the boys and show the kind of love that only a home crowd can give.