Leeds Carnegie 38 Moseley 12: Edwards keen to see more improvement from Leeds

Over 1,400 fans turned out to see Leeds Carnegie’s latest ‘On the Road’ fixture as the club take games to grounds around the region while the Headingley pitch is being reconstructed. The ‘home’ side ran in six tries, including four in the first half to wrap up the try bonus point and cement their position in the top four of the Championship.

Head Coach Diccon Edwards said he was pleased his side had continued the progress made at London Scottish a week earlier.

“It was good to secure the try bonus point win again and particularly pleasing that we kept them out from scoring a try,” he said.

“We wanted to kick on in the second half but we allowed the game to become fragmented and our lack of discipline kept Moseley in the game.

“That is something we need to work on but it is pleasing the progress we are making.

“We have got a fortnight now until we play Rotherham and that is a game we are already looking forward to.”

Leeds opened the scoring with a length of the field effort started by Josh Griffin 20 metres from his own line and finished by his centre partner Fred Burdon after good support play by David Doherty.

The next try was more route one as the forward pack took control from a line out with Richard Beck eventually emerging from the mass of bodies to claim the try. Joe Ford converted the first with Oliver Thomas kicking two penalties for Moseley.

Carnegie finally took control of the game with a third score after 25 minutes which combined both aspects of fluid movement in the backs and domination in the forwards. Jacob Rowan stole possession at a line out and, after a number of close drives including good work by Sam Lockwood, the ball was spun wide for David Doherty to score.

Doherty then collected his second brace in as many games when he finished off a period of dominance. Ford adding the conversion.

Moseley kept themselves in the game with two more penalties before half-time but they had produced little in terms of an attacking threat.

The second half could not live up the excitement of the previous 40 minutes as Leeds allowed themselves to dragged into a dogfight. They did get two tries in the final quarter as James Doherty became the most popular try scorer of the day when he spotted a gap 15 metres out, following a strong drive from Ryan Burrows, and raced through to score on his old stomping ground. Ford added the conversion to make it 33-12.

Leeds finished with a flourish and a sixth try when Lee Imiolek touched down following a driving maul from a line out close in. Ford missed his conversion attempt to leave the final score a well deserved 38-12.

Leeds No 8 Rob Baldwin, who was captain of Wharfedale until earlier this season when he left the club to further his career with Carnegie, was delighted with the response from the home supporters to his new team-mates.

“It was a great day for Leeds Carnegie and Wharfedale,” said Baldwin.

“It gave the team a real boost to see so many people turn out to support us. It was pleasing that we backed up last week’s win against London Scottish with victory here, especially for the fans who turned out to watch us.

“I had a lot of family and friends here today so it was perfect for me that we got the win.

“I was here on Saturday to watch Wharfedale’s win over Cambridge so the weekend could not have gone any better.”

Leeds Carnegie: McColl, Goss (Wilson, 73, Griffin, Burdon, D Doherty, Ford, J Doherty (Hampson, 64), Lockwood (Imiolek, 57), Graham (Nilsen, 47), Tussac (Hooper, 57), Green, Hemingway (Smith, 64), Beck (Burrows, 54), Rowan, Baldwin.

Moseley: Carter, Robinson (B Hunt, 67), S Hunt, Hayter, Thomas (King, 54), Hughes, Brown (Glynn, 70), Thorpe, Caves (Wilkes, 70), Voisey, Hicks, Lockley (Mather, 75, Lawrence, Robinson, Pienaar (Burrows, 67) Replacements not used: Hilton.

Referee: Steve Lee (RFU).