Leeds Corinthians RUFC travelled to Baildon on Saturday (9 November 2019) looking to preserve their 100% record. They were without Danny O’Connor who suffered a career threatening injury last week and the unavailable Ben Walker and Reece Harrison, but were able to welcome back Danny Lawton.
Corinthians started with the advantage of the slope and were soon in front. After 5 minutes they found themselves attacking the Baildon line, Danny Boyes and Gareth Moore switched play to the blind side to put winger Michael Tuke in at the corner. The conversation attempt failed.
Corinthians continued to attack but a dropped pass lead to the Baildon centre gathering and racing over from 60 metres. Corinthians then suffered a further blow with wing forward Chris Chapman carried off with a serious knee injury. Corinthians struggled to get to the game with Baildon getting more and more confident. Baildon kicked a penalty on the stroke of half time to lead 10-5 at the break.
The second half followed much of the same pattern as the first with both sides struggling to take a grip on the game. Baildon kicked a penalty, Neil Orr replied with one for Corinthians before Baildon added a further to lead 16-8.
With the game approaching the last 10 minutes, Corinthians got into their stride. Replacement Andy Gibney crossed for a try converted by Gareth Moore, however Corinthians relaxed from the kick off and allowed Baildon to cross for a try giving them a 21-15 lead.
Corinthians now threw everything at the home side in search of the victory. This pressure saw wing Ellis Robinson cross wide in the corner for a try with the last play of the game. With the conversation needed for an unlikely victory, the kick from the touchline agonisingly hit the post to give Baildon a 21-20 victory.
Corinthians will look to regroup for next week when they entertain bottom of the table Aireborough at Middleton, kick off 2:15pm on Saturday 16 November.
Leeds Corinthians RUFC: J. Cassar, J. Fletcher, A. Wilkinson, J. Bradley, N. Orr, W , Craven, M. Patten, G. Thompson, C. Chapman, A. Gibney, E. Johnson, R. Croft, M. Tuke, D. Boyes, C. Brown, G. Moore, E. Robinson, A. Avison, M. Lyons, D. Lawton
This post was written by Andrew Cassar
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