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Halifax Ladies v Leo Ladies
Sunday 12th September 1999
Leo Ladies made a roaring start to the new season with their victory
over Halifax Ladies this Sunday.
At kick off the two teams were evenly matched with a mixture of new
and experienced players on both sides. Halifax made a few early breaks
but failed to penetrate Leo's tight defense. Leo's soon emerged as the
stronger forward side, winning the majority of scrums and lineouts.
After some classic backs moves, the first try was scored in the left
corner by seasoned full back Karen Malin. Though constantly in sight
of the Halifax try line towards the end of the fist half, Leo's failed
to get another try in before half time.
A thrilling start was made to the second half as 16 year old
newcomer Lizzie Ashworth scored her first league try minutes into the
second half, whilst most of the crowd were still in the bar. This was
swiftly followed by another as the nippy young winger dashed down the
blindside.
Halifax fought back with a try in the right hand corner by the No. 4
joining the back line. After a couple of players going off injured,
Leo's recovered their form with another backs try. Following numerous
scrums inside the Halifax twenty-two, fly half Anna Lawson broke blind
passing to Lizzie Ashworth to score in the corner.
Leo's tired in the closing minutes of the second half, failing to
stop a sprint by Halifax No.18, to score under the posts. This was
converted by Halifax No.6, leaving the final score at:
Halifax 12 - Leo Ladies 20
Leo Ladies v Fleetwood Ladies
Sunday 19th September 1999
This weeks match saw a change in weather and a change in fortune for
Leo Ladies, both for the worse. In their first home match of the
season they suffered defeat at the hands of newly promoted Fleetwood
Ladies.
The first half was spent mostly in Leo's half, only straying over
the halfway line when cleared by fly half Anna Lawson. Leo's defense
battled hard managing to keep the score down to 5-0 at half time after
a try by Fleetwood's No.7.
The second half seemed more positive for Leo's as a couple of good
runs by centre Vicky Livett and winger Lizzie Ashworth threatened the
Fleetwood defense. Prop, Helen Carter also made some ground with her
quick penalty moves.
Fleetwood battled back spending the remainder of the second half in
Leo's territory. The constant pressure took its toll on Leo's defense,
resulting in two more tries by the flanker, one of which was converted
and another try from the No.4. The final score:
Leo Ladies 0 - Fleetwood 22
Leo Ladies v Ripon Ladies
Sunday 26th September 1999
Leo Ladies ere back on form this week and celebrated their first
home victory over newly promoted Ripon Ladies.
The game did not begin well for Leo's as within the first 15 minutes
they were down by 12 points to 0, following a try from both the Ripon
prop and winger and a conversion kicked by the scrum half.
Leo's pulled themselves together and some fantastic tackling by
centre Kirsty Mallison and clearing kicks by fly half Anna Lawson kept
the game in Ripon's territory. Following quick penalties and some
impressive scrumming, Leo's made it to Ripon's try line with No. 5 Jan
Walker scoring.
Leo's forwards dominated the second half with another try from Jan
Walker. No.6. Jane Shaw made a spectacular 70-meter dash beating 5
Ripon she side-stepped her way to a try under the posts. This was
converted by full back Karen Malin.
The forwards pushed up to Ripon's try line and Jan Walker tried to
make it a hat trick but Ripon held up the ball. The final score:
Leo Ladies 17 - Ripon 12
Blaydon Barracudas v Leo Ladies
Sunday 3rd October 1999
Leo Ladies stormed away from Newcastle with a valuable win under
their belts to put them into second position in the North 2 Division.
Leo's opponents Blaydon, were relegated from North 1 last year, and
were expected to put up a tough challenge having won all home games to
date. A superb 80-minute performance from ALL of the Leo's team led to
the 20 points being brought home.
The team kicked off and spent the first 20 minutes in the Blaydon
half. Blaydon's defense hung on and a knock on and held up ball
prevented Leo's from scoring. Disaster struck as the Blaydon No.7
intercepted a pass between Leo's centres. The ball was driven up field
and Blaydon scored just left of the posts. This was converted leaving
the half -time score 7-0.
The second half saw Leo's against the wind and the forwards adopted
a more rucking game. Vicky Livett, a half time sub, broke two tackles
to make Leo's first try. This was quickly followed from the restart by
a try by flanker, Jane Shaw. Jane made another spectacular solo try
from 60 yards in. This was converted by fly half, Anna Lawson.
Several substitutions were made in the Leo's side to ensure the
whole squad got a game. The team continued rucking the opposition off
the ball and further tries were scored by Kate Lewis, in her first
game as hooker and Hannah Wright in her debut game. The final score:
Blaydon Barracudas 7 - Leo Ladies 22
Leo Ladies v Leigh Ladies
Sunday 10th October 1999
Leo Ladies maintained their good form on Sunday with an excellent 29
-5 win against a strong Leigh team who had travelled from Manchester.
Leo's kicked off with the wind behind them and were quickly on the
attack just failing to score when Vicky Livett knocked on the ball
with the just 2 yards away. Leigh struck back and spent the next 10
minutes in Leo's half but great defensive work by both the forwards
and the backs held them out. Leos then took the lead following a long
kick by Anna Lawson out of defense, which found touch on the Leigh 22,
Leigh won the line out and quick hands down the line saw Lizzie
Ashworth score in the corner.
From then on, Leo's took the ascendancy and fine running from half
back Anna Lawson saw Kirsty Mallison dive over for her first try for
the club, which was converted by Lawson. Another try was to follow
before half time as Lizzie Ashworth scored again following good work
by the forwards. It was her 5th try in just 3 games in this her first
season. Half time score: Leo's 17 - Leigh 0.
Leigh started strongly pinning Leo's in their own half with some
good kicking. Leigh nearly scored except for a brilliant track back
and tackle by Karen Malin. The next Leo's try came from a series of
good rucks up the middle and resulted in Anna Lawson dummying her way
over on the blind side beating two tackles.
Five minutes later, Leo's scored their final try as the pack pushed
the Leigh pack back over the line and scrum half Tracey Scatchard
touched down with Lawson converting.
At this point, Leos made a series of 6 substitutions giving the
whole squad a run out. Leigh however had the last word with a kick to
the corner being touched down by their centre Emma Greenwood.
All in all an excellent performance, which ensured Leo's stayed
second in the division, just behind Fleetwood. Final score:
Leo Ladies 27 - Leigh Ladies 5
Leo Ladies v Altrincham Kersal
Sunday 31st October 1999
Leo Ladies extended their winning run to five, following a late
injury time try, to beat a determined Kersal side.
This was a clash of second versus third and lived up to its billing,
with a hard fought and extremely competitive game. Using the old cliché
of it was a game of two halves, it really was as the strong wind blew
down the ground.
Leo's kicked off with the wind at their backs and despite early
pressure from Kersal, Leo's gradually worked their way down field with
a series of long kicks from fly half, Anna Lawson. Eventually, after
prolonged pressure Leo's won a scrum five, following prop, Lindsey
Johnson, being held-up over the line. The forwards recycled the ball
quickly and the ball was fed along the backs for 16 year old Lizzie
Ashworth to score in the corner.
Kersal replied with some excellent handling and only two last-ditch
tackles by No.8 Ruth Grossman prevented tries by Kersal's wingers.
Just before half time Leo's scored again following a 25-yard rolling
maul, which resulted in second row, Jan Walker, stretching over. Half
time score: Leos 10 - Kersal 0
Leo's spent most of the second half pinned deep in their half and in
the 47th minute, Kersal's fly half, Helen Tomlinson, charged down a
clearance kick from fly half Lawson and scored under the posts. She
converted her own try making the score 10-7 to Leos.
Kersal continued to press and from a scrum five, centre Emma Rosen,
scored under the posts but Tomlinson failed to convert making the
score 12-10 to Kersal.
The score remained the same despite 5 minutes of pressure on the
Kersal line by Leos, and the game looked to have gone as it entered
injury time and Kersal received a scrum under Leos posts seven yards
out. However Leos took one against the head and fly half Lawson took
the ball blind and ran out of defense. She drew the Kersal winger and
passed to Ashworth who quite literally left the defense in her wake as
she raced in from 80 yards to score making the final score:
Leo Ladies 15 - Altrincham Kersal 12
Carlisle Cats v Leo Ladies
Sunday 7th November 1999
Leas Ladies made the long trip to Carlisle on Sunday but emerged
victorious to extend their winning run to six. An all round team
performance was topped off by a superb performance from 16-year-old
winger Lizzie Ashworth who scored 4 tries and took her tally to 12 in
5 games for the season. Leos are now entrenched in second spot just
behind fierce rivals, Fleetwood.
The game was played against a backdrop of wind and rain but Leos
still managed to display all round rugby skills with an excellent
display of handling. Leos took the lead in the 5th minute when
Captain, Lindsey Johnson booted over a penalty from in front of the
posts after Carlisle had been penalised for handling the ball on the
floor.
From the restart the Leos forwards drove well and the ball went down
the back line for Ashworth to score in the left corner. Leos
maintained pressure throughout the first half turning round 27-0 up
after further tries from Jan Walker (2) and Lizzie Ashworth, with 2
conversions by fly half Anna Lawson.
Carlisle started the second half well with their fly half out
flanking the Leos defense to score just to the left of the posts but
missed the conversion. Leos continued to press and eventually after
being in the Carlisle 22 after 5 minutes of pressure, scored in the
left corner with Ashworth again touching down.
3 minutes later she scored again with a break from the half way line
beating 2 defenders before scoring in the corner. The final Leos try
came from Jane Shaw who stole the ball from her opposing centre on the
22 and strolled to the line to make the final score:
Leo Ladies 44 - Carlisle 5
Leo Ladies v Halifax Ladies
Sunday 5th December 1999
Leo Ladies have continued their winning run with a well-deserved
victory over old rivals Halifax. With an impressive 7 out of 8 wins so
far this season Leo's are in second place in North Division 2.
Leo's made a good start spending the majority of the first half in
Halifax territory. A Halifax winger made a break threatening Leo's
defense but was stopped in her tracks by a storming tackle from Kirsty
Mallison.
Leo's winger Vikki Livett made back the ground with a sprint from
the halfway line but was thrown into touch only a meter from the
Halifax line. Mistakes in the Halifax lineout allowed Ruth Grossman to
steal the ball. A huge effort from the Leo's forwards pushed Halifax
over their line resulting in a rare try from prop, and team manager,
Helen Carter.
From the restart the golden boots of Anna Lawson ensured the rest of
this halves play kept Halifax on the defensive. Several kicks made
touch less than a meter short of the Halifax line. The determined
efforts of Vicky Livett finally paid off as she spotted a gap and shot
past the Halifax centre, wing and full back for Leo's second try.
The second half again saw Leo's sitting on the Halifax line. Another
great effort by the Leo's forwards failed to result in a try as the
ball was held up.
The last ten minutes of the second half saw Halifax put pressure on
the Leo's defense. Again a winger made a break but was closed down by
the awesome tackling of Kirsty Mallison. Halifax changed their form of
attack to a kicking game, but these were swept up and cleared by full
back Karen Malin.
Though only 2 meters from Leo's try line in the closing minutes of
the game, Halifax failed to break through Leo's tight defense leaving
them without a score.
Halifax 0 - Leo Ladies 10
Leo Ladies v Glossop Ladies
Sunday 23rd January 2000
Leo Ladies returned to form after the long Millennium break with a
victory in a friendly over Glossop.
Leo's, currently 2nd in North Division 2, at first seemed
overwhelmed by Glossop from North Division 1 as Glossop's flanker took
advantage of a quick penalty to score in the first couple of minutes
of the game.
Leo's fought back and the forwards kept much of the game in
Glossop's twenty-two, resulting in two push over tries for Leo's from
prop Rachel Daniels and second row Ruth Grossman.
Several spectacular breaks from winger Lizzie Ashworth finally paid
off as she dodged 3 Glossop backs to score in the corner. A conversion
by fly half Anna Lawson left the halftime score at 17-10.
The second half started as the first with Glossop taking advantage
of Leo's mistakes allowing another early Glossop try. Again Leo's were
jolted into action and returned with a try under the posts from full
back Karen Malin taking a fast pass from the back of the scrum. Anna
Lawson again converted.
Glossop returned fire as quick breaks from their backs broke the
Leo's defense resulting in a further try and conversion.
In the closing minutes of the game in an attempt to even the score
Glossop gave away a penalty which Anna Lawson successfully kicked to
leave the final score:
Leo Ladies 27 - Glossop 17
Leo Ladies v Blaydon Barracudas
Sunday 27th February 2000
Following a successful, but costly friendly with Ripon last week,
Leo's faced Blaydon with a squad hindered by injury.
The first 10 minutes of the game went Leo's way as winger Vikki
Livett crashed through the Blaydon back line taking the ball from the
half way line to score.
Kicker Anna Lawson battled the wind trying to clear the ball as
Blaydon spent the remainder of the first half on the attack in Leo's
twenty-two. Blaydon failed to break the Leo's defense, leaving the
half time score at 5 - 0.
The second half commenced with a successful penalty kick to Leo's
for Blaydon diving over the top of a ruck. The forwards dominated the
play for the next 20 minutes constantly stopping for scrums and
lineouts.
Blaydon finally stole the ball from a ruck and the No. 10 broke free
and scored under the posts.
With the wind behind Leo's Anna Lawson kicking kept the play firmly
in Blaydon's territory. Leo's centre Michelle Wells took advantage of
a long kick and picked up the ball to score in the corner.
Leo's back line took control in the closing minutes of the game with
swift handling and a miss move by Michelle Wells to Catherine Arden
who took it down the wing to score. The final score:
Leo Ladies 18 - Blaydon Barracudas 5
Leo Ladies v Altringham Kersal
Sunday 16th September 2001
On Sunday Leo Ladies entertained Altrincham and Kersal at home for
their first league match of the 2001/ 2002 season. The home team
played well against their rivals from last season to win 37 - 0.
The home side took the lead when the Leo's pack tried to drive over
the line for a try, however the loose ball was picked up by Tracey
Scatchard and placed over the line for the first try. Anna Lawson
added a conversion to take to the home side 7 - 0 up. Two further
tries followed in the first half, one from Leo Ladies own Ginger Spice
and the second from Karen Malin.
In the second half the Leo's pack fought hard to win a number of
Altrincham scrums and send the ball out to the Leo's backs, allowing
them to obtain the glory by adding further tries. One each from winger
Ginger Spice and Vice Captain Kirstie Mallison, and two more from the
full back Karen Malin.
On the day Altrincham could not breach a strong home team defence
and Leo's Ladies proved convincing winners and look forward to their
next match which is away to Ormskirk on Sunday. The final score:
Leo Ladies 37 - Alt & Kersal 0
Leo Ladies v Ormskirk
Sunday 23th September 2001
Leo Ladies maintained their good form on Sunday away to Ormskirk
with a 12 - 0 win. The match was dominated by the forwards which was
fought by numerous scrums. Leo's looked the stronger team with
territorial advantage and did well to scrum against a heavier Ormskirk
pack in a very scrappy match.
Shortly into the second half the Leo's forwards tried to push the
ball over to score. Although this was not achieved the ball came out
and was passed to fly-half Anna Lawson to score the first try of the
game. Lawson also converted to take Leo's to 7 - 0 up.
As the game continued Ormskirk's back line endeavoured to cross the
Leo's defence without success. Leo's back line had more of an
opportunity to score but due to some poor passing missed out on some
good chances to increase the lead. The opportunity arose through some
fantastic support play in the back line allowing full back Karen Malin
to score under the posts. Unfortunately Anna Lawson missed the
conversion. The final score:
Leo Ladies 12 - Ormskirk 0
Leo Ladies v Scunthorpe
Sunday 8th October 2001
North Division 2 league leaders, Leo's Ladies travelled to second
placed Scunthorpe on Sunday 7th October for what was expected to be a
closely contested match.
Scunthorpe stunned Leo's in the first few minutes of the match and
scored a try, which was not converted. Leo's held possession for much
of the first half but could not break down the Scunthorpe defence.
However Scunthorpe gave away a large number of penalties and Leo's
fly-half Anna Lawson kicked the ball through the posts to take the
score to 5-3.
In the second half perhaps the direction of the wind, in favour of
Leo's and a number of tactical substitutions lead to a Leo's victory.
The forwards were well drilled winning a number of scrums against a
heavy Scunthorpe pack, and the backs made a few fantastic attacking
runs, particularly Jane Siddle in the centre. Scunthorpe continued to
give away penalties in front of the posts and Lawson took the
advantage kicking through the posts to score again.
It was a fantastic team effort, which Leo's wanted to win more than
Scunthorpe. Leo's take their winning streak to Ashton-On-Mersey next
week for a cup match. The final score:
Leo Ladies 6 - Scunthorpe 5
Leo Ladies v Ashton-on-Mersey
Sunday 15th October 2001
On Sunday high-flying Leo's Ladies ventured into unknown waters in
the North Cup to play Ashton-On-Mersey.
However the game turned out to be so one sided the referee stopped
the match 20 minutes before time to save further embarrassment to the
home side.
Despite the score, Ashton-On-Mersey (a newly formed side in the
North Lancashire and Cheshire League 3), battled on to the bitter end
with good spirits. Ashton boasts a thriving girls Under 16's side, and
many of their mothers play for the ladies side, in order to ensure
progression to a senior team for when the youngsters turn 16.
Leo's try scorers were Anna Lawson, Carol Rutledge, Cathy Morgan,
Fiona Oldham, Helen Rafferty, Jane Siddle, Karen Malin, Kirstie
Mallison, Michaela Tempest, Sarah Cutforth and Tracey Scatchard.
Michaela Tempest was awarded Player's Player of the match for her
seven tries and Helen Rafferty the Coach's Player of the match for her
effort in the Forwards.
On 21st October Leo's play a league match against Durham at home, in
what is expected to be a more closely fought battle. The final score:
Leo Ladies 136 - Ashton-on-Mersey 0
Leo Ladies v Durham City
Sunday 22nd October 2001
Leo's returned to their home ground on Sunday, after a couple of
matches at away grounds, to face Durham in a North Division Challenge
2 League match.
The match was predominantly played within the forwards doing the
hard work, setting up the back row to run in the tries. After only a
few minutes scrum-half Stephanie Foulkes ran around the scrum to place
the ball over the line. Two more tries occurred in quick succession
from Karen Malin under the posts, which she also converted and from
Gillian Jew who was pushed over the line with the help of the
forwards.
Towards the end of the first half Kelly Fleming was awarded with a
try after her supporting efforts on the shoulder of Karen Malin and
Gillian Jew gained another just before half time.
In the second half Durham defended excellently and prevented further
tries from the Leo's team, until the backs spotted they had an overlap
and winger Hannah Wright touched the ball down. The visitors tried to
claw their way back but could find no way through and towards the end
of the match Kirstie Mallison received the ball on the wind to dive
over for the final try of the match. With two tries converted by
fly-half Anna Lawson, the opposition were defeated 41 - 0 against a
very impressive and well drilled Leo's team.
Leo's Ladies next play on 4th November away to Glossop in a league
match. The final score:
Leo Ladies 41 - Durham City 0
Leo Ladies v Glossop
Sunday 4th November 2001
Leo Ladies played away to Glossop, a team that had returned to
Division 2 after a couple of years in Division 1. Unfortunately Leo's
domination was hampered by the referee's connections (betrothal) with
the host club. This was a problem throughout the game when the
majority of Leo's forwards movement was penalised for no apparent
reason.
On one notable occasion Leo's were awarded with a penalty in front
of the posts which fly-half Hayley Whittingham kicked to put Leo's in
the lead 3 points to 0. In the second part of the first half Leo
Ladies worked hard allowing Number 8, Sarah Cutforth to score. The
whirling wind and rain made conversions difficult to achieve and
unfortunately Whittingham was unable to increase the lead.
Just before the whistle for half time the forwards supported each
other well and Helen Rafferty placed the ball over the line for her
first league try and took Leo's to a 13 - 0 lead going into half time.
In the second half Leo's worked hard in defence but Glossop scored
after an extraordinary amount of advantage was played. Leo's defensive
play continued throughout the second half keeping the score to 13 - 7
which was the final score.
Leo Ladies play host to Eccles on 11th November. The final score:
Leo Ladies 41 - Glossop 0
Leo Ladies v Eccles
Sunday 11th November 2001
Unbeaten league leaders Leo Ladies took on Eccles at home on Sunday,
marking the half way point through the league season. Leo's were able
to field a strong side against a team who had moved up from Division 3
last season.
In the first few minutes it looked like it might be an even match as
the play occurred on the half way line. However Leo's forwards worked
hard, allowing player/manager Helen Carter a way through to score
after 10 minutes. Further tries came from Michaela Tempest, after she
ran half the length of the pitch. Hannah Wright on the wing added
another try to end the first half 15 - 0 to Leo Ladies.
Leo's continued to show their strength both physically and mentally
in the second half, particularly in the scrums against a heavy
opposition pack. Tempest placed the ball over for another try after 10
minutes of the second half under the posts, which was converted by
Hayley Whittingham. Jane Siddle pushed and dodged her way through to
score Leo's fifth try.
Eccles picked up their form and for a time looked dangerous but
Leo's defending was once again excellent and just before full-time
sunstitute Hannah Dawson scored the final try, which was converted
once more by Whittingham.
This was a fantastic team effort, however the coaches were quoted as
saying "there should have been more tries!"
Leo's Ladies go away to Manchester in the second round of the
National Challenge Cup on 18th November. The final score:
Leo Ladies 34 - Eccles 0
Leo Ladies v Manchester
Sunday 18th November 2001
Leos Ladies approached this challenge cup match with trepidation as
their opposition Manchester had gained new players from two folded
sides, Liverpool St Helens and Widnes. There was nothing to worry
about! Leos forwards were on form pushing the Manchester scrum back
and causing the front row to leave it to their second row to do all
the work! Linzi Johnson (Captain) and Sarah Cutforth (No.8) went on
several runs, crashing through many tackles and didn’t they
smile! The forwards created quick ball for the backs who passed it
down the line, ultimately to the fullback, Karen Malin who ran through
and scored Leo's first try.
A loose ball at the back of a ruck was quickly scavenged by Linzi
Johnson, who ran from outside the 22, wrong footing four tacklers, and
taking the fifth with her as she stretched with the ball in one hand
to place it over the try line for Leo's second score.
Jane Siddle (Fly Half) was also given the opportunity to get over
that try line before the half time whistle! So the Ladies were up by
22-0! Would Manchester make a come back? This seemed doubtful as
Manchester backs had very little ball and Leos defense was
commendable! In a half of many incidents, the game continued with Jane
Siddle taking the ball on a solo run but being taken down just before
the try line. Storming behind her was not a back but a prop, Linzi
Johnson, who received a pop from the fly half to dive over the line,
voted the best try of the game. Well done Leos Ladies, again
victorious, they definitely deserve a weeks rest!
Leo Ladies 37 - Manchester 0
Leo Ladies v Altricham & Kersal
Sunday 9th December 2001
North 2 League leaders Leo's Ladies travelled to Altrincham and
Kersal with only 16 fit players. Outside centre (Tempest) and Lock
(Jew) were both injured during the pre-match warm up so Leo's had to
kick off with only 14 players, electing to drop a flanker.
Leo's managed to keep the majority of possession throughout the
first half but found it difficult to break through the Altrincham
defence, until there was a mistake by the home side's back line. Leo's
were able to steal the ball and Rachel Daniels took Leo's into the
lead.
In the second half Hannah Dawson, who was playing out of position as
a centre stormed through the Altrincham defence to take Leo's 10 - 0
up. During the course of the second half Leo's lost their scrum half
with a serious leg injury reducing them to 13 players. One of the
tense moments of the match was Mallison's amazing charge down of a
Kersale kick with face - which nearly resulted in another try by
Daniel's. Although fearful of a broken nose, Mallison gamey played on,
for fear that the numerical advantage accrued by Altricham may be
capitalised!
In a match, fraught with omission Leo's had two players sent to the
sin bin for retaliating to kicking and throttling by the Altricham
Lock, Christine Kendrick, who was also yellow carded. In the final
minutes Leo's scored their third try with only 12 players on the
field! Altricham unable to make any gains with their three extra
players!
Leo's Ladies play their last match before the Christmas break on
Sunday 16th December. They are at home to Glossop in the Challenge
Cup. Incidentally, Altricham - please may we have our match ball back
that we lent you! The invoice is in the post!
Leo Ladies 15 - Altricham & Kersal 0
LEO'S LADIES 34 - SCUNTHORPE 0
Sunday 27th January 2002
After a six week lay off due to inclement weather, opposition
defaults and regional trials, North Two league leaders Leo's Ladies
got their league programme underway again on Sunday, at "home"
to second place Scunthorpe. Waterlogged pitches at Leo's, resulted in
the fixture being played at Burley RUFC in Kirkstall.
Once again Leo's kept possession for much of the game playing in the
opposition's half and not long into the first half, winger Fiona
Oldham, had Scunthorpe fooled with her small build and passed the
defence to put Leo's into the lead. Scunthorpe fought hard,
particularly in the rucks and mauls, however Leo's centre Michela
Tempest broke free and ran a try in. Leo's were 17 - 0 at half time
thanks to another courageous try from Oldham, which was converted by
Captain, Linzi Johnson.
Leo's came out in the second half determined to prevent any tries
from the Scunthorpe team. Scrum-half, Sarah Cutforth (playing out of
position) ran around the scrum to score Leo's fourth try. Scunthorpe
battled on in defence and managed to hold up a try from Leo's Full
Back Karen Malin, however Second Row, Gillian Dew, fought her way
through the bodies on the floor to score under the posts, which was
again converted by Linzi Johnson. Fiona Oldham was denied a third try
by Scunthorpe's defence but Karen Malin was finally rewarded with a
try late in the second half to take the home side to a 34 - 0 victory.
Leo's Ladies have two players in the England Student Squad who play
Scotland on 3rd February in Edinburgh. They are Flanker, Hannah Dawson
and Second Row, Amanda Smith. Success at the last weeks trials means
Leo's also have five players represented in the North East Regional
Squad who play the Midlands on 3rd February at Wetherby. They are
Dominique Attwood, Kate Lewis, Kirstie Mallison, Jane Siddle and Vicky
de Val. The North East Squad is managed by injured Leo's centre
Michelle Wells.
Leo's Ladies play Dursley in the North Challenge Cup on 10th
February at Lichfield.
Leo Ladies 34 - Scunthorpe 0
LEO'S LADIES 13 - NOVOCASTRIANS 5
Sunday 20th October 2002
After a minute silence for the Bali bombing victims, Leo's Ladies
got their second home game of the season under way. This was a battle
against the top two teams in North League 1, Novocastrians were at the
top before the game commenced.
Leo's scored within the first 5 minutes after Novo's gave away a
penalty to Leo's in front of the posts. Fly-half Pauline Evans kicked
the ball between the posts to take Leo's into 3 - 0 lead.
The Leeds ladies who won scrum after scrum against a heavy Novo's
pack to eventually increase their lead dominated the first half. Leo's
first try of the game came from the back of the scrum in the blind
side direction, to the full back, Karen Malin and out to the winger,
Kirstie Mallison. The conversion fell short of the posts. Leo's
retained their 8 - 0 lead into half time.
Leo's were disorganised at the start of the second half and Novo's
were able to capitalise on this by scoring a try, which was placed
over the line by their incredibly fast winger. The conversion was a
difficult one and failed to go between the posts. Leo's determined to
prevent their 50 minutes of hard work be in vain, continued to work
hard. Outstanding performances from flanker Kelly Flemming, who
continually put pressure on the opposition and Carol Rutledge. Leo's
efforts paid off when Jess Lane broke through Novo's back line to
score. The score line remained 13 - 5.
Leo's efforts take them to the top of the North 1 League.
The next match is home to the Vale of Lune on 3rd November 2002.
Leo Ladies 13 - Novocastrians 5
LEO'S LADIES 29 - SCUNTHORPE 0
Sunday 26th January 2003
Leo's Ladies continue to be successful in 2003 with a convincing
win over Scunthorpe on Sunday. The conditions were difficult with a
swirling wind and heavy pitch to contend with, however such conditions
did not deter Leo's Ladies. Scunthorpe came out strong and in the
first few minutes were well up into Leo's half and looked dangerous.
After some fantastic scrummaging from the Leo's forwards, Scunthorpe
were pushed back into their own half. Leo's then had the upper hand
and from a scrum came Leo's first try, from Kirsty Cook playing out of
position as Flanker. A team effort from Leo's Ladies allowed another
try to be scored directly under the posts. The ball came out to winger
Karen Malin who ran Scunthorpe around the pitch before sending the
ball down the line to eventually be placed over the try line by the
other winger, Kirstie Mallison. Pauline Evans kicked the conversion to
take Leo's to 12 - 0 at half time.
During the second half Scunthorpe had the wind against them and
Leo's continued strongly keeping the pressure on Scunthorpe. Leo's
third try came from a maul with Kirsty Cook taking the ball over the
line once again. As the game continued Scunthorpe were very strong in
defence, not allowing the Leo's Ladies through their defensive wall,
on occasions Leo's should have scored more tries but Scunthorpe came
up quickly in defence as a team and showed great signs of persistence.
However they gave away a penalty, allowing prop Linzi Johnson to take
control and go under the posts, which was easily converted by Pauline
Evans, thanks to the wind assistance. After a number of stoppages due
to injuries, partially due to the aggressive nature of the game, Leo's
forwards inter-linked with the backs and Karen Malin received a pass
from back row player Jess Lane to score Leo's fifth and final try. The
eventual score was 29 - 0 which does not reflect Scunthorpe's
tenacity.
Leo's efforts take them to second of the North 1 League. Leo's are
away to Novocastrians in Newcastle on February 23rd 2003.
Leo Ladies 29 - Scunthorpe 0
LEO'S LADIES 25 - NOVOCASTRIANS 24
Sunday 23rd February 2003
After a four week league lay off eodiensian Ladies travelled north
to Newcastle to face a Novocastrian team who were unbeaten at home
this season. Although Leo's took a squad of 18, the team still
required players playing out of position.
Novocastrians started strongly and within the first 15 minutes had
managed to take the scroreline to 17 - 0, with 3 tries from their fast
backline and a conversion. Old Leo's managed to steel the
concentration from Novo's fly-half meaning she only scored 1 out of
the 3 conversions.
Towards the end of the second half, Novo's forwards were tired but
Leo's had just started to get into their stride and from a ruck ball,
Gill Jew scored Leo's first wide of the first which was unfortunately
not converted. Leo's worked well as a team to recycle the ball for
their second try of the first half from another ruck ball which flew
out of the back to land in the hands of Karen Malin. The half time
score was 17-10 to Novo's.
Leo's confidence was riding high at the start of the second half,
centre Jess Lane received the ball and went over the try line only to
realise moments later that the ball held up and therefore disallowed.
However Leo's gained possession and through a scrum to Leo's, the pack
drove the ball over the try line and Gill Jew was present again to
take the score to 17 - 15. Complacency from Leo's may have set in
allowing Novo's back line to get the ball and run through a number of
Leo's players to place the ball down directly under the posts. The
conversion was a certainty and this time the Novo's fly-half kept her
composure to take Novo's into a more comfortable lead of 24 - 15.
Novo's kept their confidence and began to look like they might have
run away with it when one of their players, a centre was taken down
with a hand injury, unfortunately there were no substitutes available
but Novo's battled on with 14 players.
Leo's forwards continued to run at a tiring pack and flanker Kate
Lewis managed to break away to place the ball under the posts. Again
Leo's were disappointed by the referee's decision who said the ball
had been held up, but they battled on and Number 8 Ruth Grossman
scored a try from the back of the Leo's scrum.
In the final minutes there appeared to be confusion in the Leo's
camp as to the score line, but with 10 minutes to go there was no time
for complacency and Leo's kept their composure to use the weakened
Novo's back line to score. The ball becams available for the backs and
scrum half Karen Malin passed the ball to Jess Lane who scored taking
Leo's into the lead at 25 - 24.
Leo's put in an all round team performance with fantastic try-saving
tackles from wingers Jade Whitby, Kirstie Mallison and full back Helen
Bellamy. Leo's had a further try disallowed from Linzi Johnson. Leo's
travel to Waterloo near Liverpool next week, 2nd March 2002, possibly
top of North League 1.
Leo Ladies 25 - Novocastrians 24
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