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We have to show pride in the jersey - says captain Mike MacDonald
CAPTAIN Mike MacDonald is adamant that Leeds Carnegie will provide sterner opposition in the Guinness Premiership next season than they showed at Twickenham.
The National One champions were humbled by part-timers Moseley, who caused a cup shock that bore all the hallmarks of Leeds's finest hour when they surprised Bath in the Powergen Cup final four years ago.
Leeds have already sealed their place in next season's Premiership but on the evidence of Saturday's meek surrender, Neil Back and Andy Key's side will be firm favourites to go straight back down.
"You cannot judge a book by its cover," said the 28-year-old USA prop of the negative response Leeds will receive after Saturday's surprise defeat.
"Moseley played well and capitalised on our errors. We know every game in the Premiership is going to be tough, but teams are going to have their ups and downs and we have to hang in there.
"The amount this squad has grown day by day, week by week is immense.
"Everyone has come on physically, fitness wise, in their ball-handling and decision-making.
"Next Saturday away at Plymouth will be a test of our character and of how we bounce back, and that will stand us in good stead for next season."
Leeds travel to Plymouth for their final National One game with MacDonald urging his team-mates to finish the season on a high. "The Plymouth game is about pride in the jersey," he said.
"People are going to be leaving the club and it might be the last chance for them to either make an impression or play with their team-mates.
"The motivation will be there because we do not want to end the season with two defeats."
MacDonald scored the first of what proved to be two consolation tries for Leeds, with Kearnan Myall getting the second with the final move of the match.
"We have let ourselves down," MacDonald conceded. "We played some good rugby at times but made too many mistakes. Both their tries came off our mistakes.
"We knew that they were going to come with a lot of venom and it was a big occasion for them, the chance to knock us off our pedastal here at Twickenham.
"Their defence was solid, they tackled well and rucked even better."
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Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
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Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
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