Gala 7 Leeds Carnegie 29: Munster the spur for Carnegie to triumph in showdown

Leeds Carnegie set up a winner-takes-all encounter with Championship rivals Bristol at Headingley on Saturday in the final pool game after they produced a workmanlike performance to beat Scottish outfit Gala and gain a try bonus point.

James Lowes’s side needed a late try from replacement centre Joe Barker to ensure the full quota of points and victory on Saturday will secure a quarter-final spot, and a potential visit by Munster.

Lowes said: “First and foremost, I am pleased to get the win as always. I thought we bombed a few chances and did not play as much rugby as I would have liked.

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“It looks like we have come through without any more injuries so that sets things up nicely for Bristol. The boys are looking forward to that game and hopefully we can do enough to progress in this competition.”

Leeds had run in 14 tries in the last meeting, but in the first half at Netherdale they looked hesitant and were unable to create the chances which have become a trademark of the team.

Gala, who have to deal with the disruption of integrating players from the Scottish professional teams into their match-day squads, were much better than the previous game. Their defence was well drilled and they managed to deal with most of the threats thrown at them.

However, the weight of possession told and it was back-row Jarad Williams who was awarded the try when he emerged from a mass of bodies from a lineout catch and drive. Hughes missed the conversion, having kicked a penalty.

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Leeds were reduced to 14 men when young second-row Harry Casson, making his first start since joining the club on loan from Worcester, was sent to the sin-bin for fighting.

It took 20 minutes of the second half for Leeds to get their second try courtesy of a penalty try.

With nine minutes to go, Chris Walker finished off good play by the forwards before Gala got a consolation try, with the referee again deciding to award a penalty try, after Sam Lockwood became the second Carnegie player to be sent to the bin.

With time running out, Barker popped up to make the most of a Gala error and score his second career try for the club, Hughes kicking his third conversion.

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Gala: Dods, Sibanda, Auld (Spiers, 55), Baird, N Walker, Mein, George Graham, Sutherland (Palepoi, 68), Hilterbrand (Christie, 64), McQuillin (MacKintosh, 55), Borthwick, Toolis, Cairns, Gary Graham (Hidalgo-Clyne, 64), Cox. Unused: Chapman, Leonard.

Leeds Carnegie: Goss (Barker, 63), Griffin, Clarke, Burdon, D Doherty, Hughes, J Doherty (Hampson, 61), Imiolek (Lockwood, 57), Graham (J Walker, 57), Beech (Hooper, 47), Hannay, Casson (Beck, 43), Williams, C Walker, Rowan. Unused: Doyle.

Referee: A Brace (IRFU).

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