Leeds 28 Plymouth 26: ‘Justice’ served as Leeds defeat Albion to hammer home point
Despite defeating Plymouth 34-16 in early January, issues with the Headingley Carnegie pitch forced uncontested scrums for most of the game.
That incurred the wrath of the Rugby Football Union who announced that it was to be replayed, much to the dismay of the victorious head coach.
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Hide AdIt gave Albion a second bite of the cherry, but it was an opportunity they failed to grasp, as Leeds just about out-fought their southern opponents.
Edwards said: “It was (justice) and we got the same result. We’ve had to work hard for it, but we picked up the same five points like we did last time.
“I’m disappointed that we had to go through the process but we have and it was a fantastic result. Credit to the players because we’ve had to dig deep there and we got a deserved five points.”
Playing yet another encounter in the quaint surroundings of West Park, following their enthralling 30-30 draw with Leinster A two weeks ago, Carnegie initially revelled on that pent-up frustration, opening up a 21-11 half-time advantage.
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Hide AdBut they were forced to defend for much of the second period and it was only when David Doherty went over for his second try that Leeds looked like sealing victory.
“There was initially that frustration, but then the attitude was, ‘right the game’s on, we need to front up,’” the Leeds boss added.
“We needed to show what we’re all about and we needed to prove that the decision to replay the game didn’t affect the result.”
It was Leeds who used their aggression to its most positive effect early on. Despite receiving a penalty in midfield within Joe Ford’s kicking range, they elected to go for the lineout which paid dividends as a powerful driving maul ended in Ryan Burrows touching down.
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Hide AdFord impressively added the conversion from out wide to give Carnegie the perfect start.
They were looking to move the ball at every opportunity, trying to garner that bonus-point triumph which Edwards’s men were controversially denied of by the RFU investigation.
However, the hosts were let down by their own desperation to sew up the five points as needless penalties allowed Plymouth’s Paul Roberts to narrow the gap to 7-6.
In fact, it was the forward exchanges that were initially proving fruitful for the home side.
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Hide AdThe back-row of Rob Baldwin, Jacob Rowan and Burrows were carrying with gusto while props Ben Harris and Damien Tussac were also doing their fair share of work in the loose.
It was that power that Albion struggled to deal with and it was no surprise to see Bevon Armitage sent to the sin-bin for a series of team infringements. That was the impetus Leeds needed to find gaps in the fragile visiting defence and Carnegie duly touched down twice in quick succession.
Stevie McColl, who was typically impressive, danced his way through two tackles to cross the whitewash before the full-back’s deft off-load sent Doherty clear.
Ford added the extras to both as they established a comfortable and deserved 21-6 lead.
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Hide AdNonetheless, Plymouth refused to cede and, after Toby Howley-Berridge’s scything break had set up an opportunity five metres out, Aaron Carpenter scored with his first touch since coming on as a substitute.
If Carnegie had dominated the opening period then the second half was a complete role-reversal.
The driving game, which had been such a hallmark of Leeds’s early excellence, suddenly became Albion’s most potent weapon. And it was from that area in which they reduced the deficit further through Jon Vickers’s unconverted score.
Discipline was also an issue and Phil Nilsen received a yellow card with the southern outfit consistently pressing the hosts’ line.
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Hide AdAlthough dogged defence prevented the try, Roberts kicked his third from the tee to leave the game in the balance.
However, Leeds regained some of their composure and Fred Burdon’s searing run and well-timed pass saw Doherty cross in the corner.
And even though Sean-Michael Stephen’s late converted touchdown set up a frantic finale, Leeds held on to claim a victory that takes them back into the Championship’s top four.
Leeds Carnegie: McColl; Clark (Graham 60-70), Griffin, Burdon, D. Doherty; Ford, J. Doherty (Hampson 60); Harris, Nilsen (Graham 75), Tussac (Hooper 75); Green, Myerscough (Smith 75); Baldwin, Rowan (capt.), Burrows.Unused replacements: Imiolek, Moon, Georgiou.
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Hide AdPlymouth Albion: McAtee (Bailey 73); Warner, Howley-Berridge, Armitage, Bowen; Roberts, Cushion (capt.); Rogers, Vickers, Morton; Beukeboom, Nasiga; Stephen, Hocking (Matavesi 60), Stupple (Carpenter 36). Unused replacements: Rowley, Fisilau, Andrew, Salter.
Referee: L Geraint-Roberts (RFU).