Leeds show credentials across pitch in race for the play-offs

Diccon Edwards’s side raced into a four-try lead within the opening 16 minutes at Billesley Common before allowing the Midlanders to storm back at them in the second period.

Determined defence saw Leeds hold on to win 29-20 and claim a five-point victory that moved them above Bristol into fourth place in the Championship with two games to go.

“There’s lots of emotions going through my mind,” said Edwards in the wake of a fourth successive victory that has taken Leeds from mid-table obscurity and into the play-off spots.

“It was a very bizarre game. The manner in which we approached it and the style with which we played in the first 20 to 25 minutes was absolutely outstanding, and to have already secured a bonus point by that stage by playing some scintillating rugby, just showed what we’re capable of.

“And the courageous way in which we have dealt with the second half with the sin-binnings and the pressure induced on our own line was again outstanding.

“It was frustrating that we found ourselves in that situation, but ultimately we went to get a five-point win and we got it.”

The race for promotion now moves to Goldington Road next Saturday and a game against the Bedford Blues.

Bedford have just a one-point advantage over Leeds but with a game in hand; with that being against relegation-threatened Doncaster Knights on Wednesday week, they remain in pole position to finish third.

Leeds end their season against second-placed Nottingham on Saturday, April 20.

Friday’s victory at Moseley saw Carnegie climb three points clear of Bristol, who still have to travel to London Scottish and unbeaten leaders and promotion favourites Newcastle Falcons.

With a seemingly tougher schedule for Bristol, Leeds have their fate in their own hands and Edwards believes their defensive stand against Moseley will stand them in good stead.

“It will in that we understand what it feels like now to go through that pressure,” said the head coach.

“The challenge for us is to not induce that on ourselves and to not allow that pressure to build up over wave after wave.

“We need to find a way of stopping that and the momentum they have created by getting back into the ascendency.

“The attitude we showed and the desire to defend our own line under that adversity was a credit to the lads and I’m proud of the effort they put in. We deserved to win and I’m delighted.”