Leeds Carnegie 31 Currie 16: Edwards delighted as his fringe players grasp chance to impress

The cup has afforded Edwards the chance to see some of his fringe players in action this year and says some took their opportunity against Currie.

“I thought both our hookers played very well,” he said. “Scott Freer was man of the match and scored but Phil Nilsen did just want we wanted from him off the bench.

“With Andy Titterrell coming back to fitness we have got some great competition in that position.

“We are looking to add some players in other positions as we have a crucial run of games coming up in the next few weeks and our resources are stretched at present.”

A bonus point win was the result of concerted pressure on the part-time outfit from across the border but there was frustration for the home side in the first half as their play matched the foggy conditions in the first half.

Leeds got off to the best start with a try from young full-back Christian Georgiou on eight minutes.

Ryan Burrows made a fantastic break on his return from injury before Georgiou was able to collect the ball from a perfectly weighted grubber kick from Joe Ford and then charge over for the opening try.

Ford, though, missed the conversion leaving the score 5-0.

Minutes later Currie got their first points on the board when James Forbes slotted over a penalty but Leeds had a chance to extend their lead on 15 minutes when they were awarded their own penalty but Ford’s attempt fell short.

The hosts were made to pay for this lapse two minutes later when they were penalised for offside and Forbes’s kick in front of the posts put his side 6-5 ahead.

Leeds were the stronger team throughout the first half and a strong defensive display prevented Currie from gaining territory.

However, despite Leeds having the majority of the possession they were unable to finish off their chances and the scoreline failed to reflect their dominance in the game.

There was a lengthy period of stoppage time after Barry Mansfield was injured and the winger was stretchered off.

Leeds continued to put pressure on their opponents and on 29 minutes great play from Scott Freer saw him put his side back in front.

The hooker made fantastic line next to the ruck and then powered his way to the tryline, shrugging off his would-be tacklers as he got the ball down.

This time Ford converted to give his team a 12-6 half-time lead.

In the second half Currie looked more lively and Leeds allowed them too many opportunities to get the ball in hand, which put the home side under pressure.

Within five minutes of the restart Currie were awarded a penalty and Forbes again stepped up to give his side another three points to reduce the deficit.

With a renewed sense of confidence, Currie looked determined to cause an upset for their Yorkshire opponents and Leeds needed to come up with a response.

Against the run of play, Dan Hemingway, who was named captain for the day, was able to stretch the lead for his side with a try in the right corner.

Ford made the outside break before making a perfectly timed offload to Jacob Rowan who fed Hemingway and the second row barrelled over the line. Ford was unable to add the conversion but Leeds now led 17-9.

Following that try Leeds looked more comfortable and on 66 minutes replacement Robbie Shaw showed great vision to spot a gap and race through for the bonus point try. This time Ford converted to give his side a more convincing lead at 24-9.

With 11 minutes to play Leeds were awarded a penalty and Ford opted to kick to the corner. Leeds won the resulting lineout and from here they created their next try with Gareth Denman able to show his strength from the maul five metres from the line to burrow his way across, and once more Ford kicked the extra points to put Leeds 31-9 ahead.

Currie showed great character and continued to put pressure on Leeds and their hard work paid off on 74 minutes when their centre Douglas Fife was able to break free for his side’s only try of the game.

Forbes continued his 100 per cent record with the boot with the conversion to bring the final score to 31-16.

Leeds Carnegie: Georgiou, Richards, Lucock, Barker, Tincknell, Ford, Hampson, Lockwood, Freer, Mustafa, Hemingway, Barrow, Burrows, Beck, Rieder.

Replacements: Nilsen for Walker (62), Denman for Lockwood (50), Young for Mustafa (64), Walker for Beck (20), Rowan for Barrow (58), Shaw for Hampson (52), Denton for Tincknell (64).

Scorers: Tries: Georgiou, Freer, Hemingway, Shaw, Denman; Conversions: Ford (3).

Currie: Forbes, Mansfield, Fife, Houston, Smith, Hunter, Leck, Cox, Gillies, Cessford, Vernarkal, Robert, Temple, Marcel, Entwhistle, Weston.

Replacements: Fergus for Gillies (72), Dymock for Smith (65), Johnstone for Marcel (79), Peacock for Leck (22), Bruton for Entwhistle (73), Whittingham for Cessford (25). Unused replacement: Best.

Scorers: Try: Fife; Conversion: Forbes; Penalties: Forbes (3).

Referee: Paul Haycock (IRFU).