South Leicester ease drop fears

Report from Steve Hull : Tyndale RFC website

On their first ever visit to South Leicester, Tynedale were out played in this game on a very muddy surface that was never going to suit them, given the training and recent playing experiences on the carpet like conditions of Kingston Park. The strength of South's pack and the heavy pitch favoured a forwards orientated game which ultimately proved the undoing of the Tynedale pack whilst limiting possession for their youthful back line where they were repeatedly ‘bogged down’ before they were able to gain any momentum and provide their normal attacking threat. South's heavy forwards scrummaged well and often used an effective maul gave them momentum which their competent backs used to score tries.. The conditions and the absence of regular players in a number of key positions was the undoing of the youthful looking side who grafted away but were often were unable to compete in important areas of the game.

South's forwards began strongly winning an early scrum penalty. Taking the ball from the subsequent lineout and passing to their backs resulted in the first try by Andrew Gates with Rickie Aley converting: 7-0. This was followed by a penalty from Aley and an unconverted try from Jacob Heath to give a 15-0 lead early in the first half. Tynedale responded ,attacking well into South's half, being rewarded with a penalty converted by Adam Redman 15-3. Tynedale mounted what looked like a number of promising counter attacks but an interception by South on their 22 gave their Gareth Turner a long run in for a confidence sapping try. Tynedale's ball at a lineout in South's half led to a breakaway try by Calum Gunn for the bonus point try before half time: leaving the half time score at 27-3.

In the first half it there was very much the difference in possession and territory that the score suggests and South's dominant forwards and backs willingness to run from anywhere in the field put them well on top. Tynedale's attacks unfortunately were often frustrated by losing the ball, kicking it into South's possession or conceding penalties.

In the second half a lengthy period of sustained pressure by Tynedale within South's 22 proved fruitless as repeated attacks were contained by good and solid South tackling. Although South were restricted to just one converted try by Will Ward following a catch and drive in the second half, there was little doubt that they would have a well-deserved try bonus point win.