West Leeds’ speed too much for Rishies

West Leeds v Old Rishworthians
Matthew Hunt Brown makes a flying tackle — West Leeds v Old Rishworthians Matthew Hunt Brown makes a flying tackle

It was mainly break-outs from deep in their own half and Rishworthian mistakes which brought four tries for the league leaders before the break.

After an initial shock early in the second half, it was all Rishworthians, who hit back with two converted tries.

The game opened with a contentious penalty to the home side. A kick to touch brought a catch and drive attempt and eventually the ball came out and a gap in the defence brought a try.

The visitors came straight back and a quick break by scrum half Liam Phillips led to a penalty and Joe Billing made it 5-3.

It became end to end stuff. A home try looked certain but captain Fraser Swarbrooke and centre Jack Ledgard made a brilliant cover tackle.

Out of nothing, the right winger outpaced the defence before cross-kicking for a converted try in the centre.

Rishworthians put the home line under pressure with left wing Anthony Shoesmith almost getting in at the corner.

West Leeds kicked their way out of trouble and the left wing’s pace then enabled him to charge down a kick, regather and score in the corner.

A fourth converted try came on the other wing after a quickly taken tap penalty and just before the break the home side added a penalty to make it 27-3.

Early in the second half Rishworthians made the mistake of kicking the ball to the home back three. The left winger kicked back and regathered before passing inside to a supporting player for another converted try.

It was the spur the visitors needed and they dominated the rest of the half.

Man of the match, flanker Nick Faulkner, got their first try from a catch and drive from 15 metres out. Josh Kelly converted.

Rishworthians kept up the pressure up and Faulkner and No 8 James Clarke drove through to tie in the defence before the ball went along the line for right wing Matthew Hunt-Brown to score wide out. Kelly again converted.

With at least another four players set to return at home to Sheffield Medicals on November 7, followed by a trip to Ripon the following week, there are plenty of positives for Rishworthians after a series of tough away fixtures.