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Plymouth Albion 6 Leeds Carnegie 17: Champions Leeds will be ready for top-flight return – Key
Leeds will face tougher challenges next season when they return to the top flight of English rugby union but having concluded their season with victory at Plymouth, director of rugby Andy Key is predicting a bright future for his side.
Leeds had to battle hard as Plymouth tried to secure their place in the new-look Championship for next season.
Tries from Fosi Pala'amo, Vili Ma'asi and Rob Vickerman secured the win on a cold and wet afternoon in Devon. Key said: "It was good to come away with a win and finish the season in the right manner. We showed patience, stuck to the game-plan and that eventually paid dividends for us. We did not do that at Twickenham againt Moseley and it was pleasing that the players had taken that on board.
"We knew Plymouth would be scrapping for their lives and thankfully for them Bedford's win over Esher means they will stay up as well so it was a nice way to finish the season.
"We will meet the squad this week to fully review the season and then we will take some time off before we start our 19-week build up to the start of the Guinness Premiership.
"We are looking forward to a tough pre-season and making sure we are ready come the start of the season."
Leeds dominated the first half but failed to capitalise on their opportunities and fell behind when Ross Laidlaw kicked a drop goal after 27 minutes.
The champions finally managed to keep hold of possession and recycled the ball and eventually Fosi Pala'amo was driven over from a lineout. Jason Strange added the conversion to make it 7-3 after 35 minutes.
Plymouth cut the gap to a point just before half-time thanks to a penalty from Laidlaw but Leeds came out after the break and pressed home their advantage.
The second half saw the arrival of 49-year-old hooker Graham Dawe, who clashed many times during his Bath days against Leeds head coach Neil Back at Leicester, but he had to be stretchered off with a serious neck injury just after the hour mark.
By that stage, his side had conceded two more tries. Vili Ma'asi scored the first of those when he forced his way over from after 52 minutes. Strange was off target with the touchline conversion so it remained 12-6.
Leeds scored their third and best try with 19 minutes to go when a well-timed grubber kick by scrum-half Scott Mathie was touched down by Rob Vickerman.
Plymouth knew that a late try would secure them a losing bonus point but the visitors' defence was resolute and Leeds held on to record their 28th win of the season.
Plymouth: Ireland, Gibson, Allan, Cruickshanks, Mensah-Coker, Laidlaw, Newman, Rice, Owen, Porte, Stewart, Brenton, Stephen, Sprangle, Marriott. Replacements: Nicholls, Jarvis, Richie, Hopkins for Porte (74), Dawe for Owen (63), Thomas, Denbee for Sprangle (63)
Leeds Carnegie: Goodridge, Welding, Vickerman, H Paul, Biggs, Strange, Mathie, Pala'amo, Nilsen, McGee, Lund, Murphy, Clark, Fourie, D Paul. Replacements: MacDonald for McGee (61), Ma'asi for Nilsen (50), Pendlebury for Lund (50), Boyde for D Paul (61), Bedford for Mathie (61), Brooks for Strange (74), Armstrong for Welding (60).
Referee: D Rose.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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