Bees beat young Docs n Teeth

Looking across the river at 2pm at wagon lane on Saturday it seemed like a small miracle this game was even on, on top of that, the fact that 9 players were unavailable from last week’s squad really tested the bees strength in depth, clubman Dale Martin answered the call late on Friday to ensure we could field a full team.

With the River Aire barely 3 inches from bursting its banks the Barbarians trotted across the old iron bridge with a new found confidence after last week’s tremendous win at West Leeds.

There was no surprise that the game was filled with a number of errors, good news for the bees that most of these were by the young medical students. However the first try came from an error from the bees second string when from their own scrum the ball was hooked back only to be bounced back like s pinball straight into the opponents hands, from this one medic passed to a dentist and back again until finally making it over the whitewash and with the fly half converting Leeds M&D’s found themselves with a fairly early lead. This turned out to be their last real opportunity until deep into the second half. Leeds Medics and Dentist then became very much a big part of their own downfall spilling the ball at an alarming rate allowing the bees to dominate possession, the medics lineout was also in a terrible state, the ball being overthrown at most attempts allowing the back row combo of Dan Cookson, Oli Stewart and Nick Dodds to clean up any loose ball (incidentally Nick has successfully joined us through the RFU’s ‘Return to Rugby’ Campaign).

Once again the backs looked sharp when in procession of the ball and it was only a matter of time before the bees broke down the away sides defence and the illusive Ryan Wilson used his pace to score on right hand side of field after some really good phases and strong runs on the fringes, Shaun Driver on hand to add the extras. The Referee (Mr Leech) an old foe from his playing days at Keighley was particularly keen around the breakdown and ensuring players stayed on their feet and kept their hands out of the ruck, Leeds Medics and Dentist struggled to get to terms with this and gave numerous penalties away, one such penalty was given in front of the post and instead of the probable 3 points Andy Smith opted for the scrum, a decision which proved to be the right one as from this solid platform in-form Jack Malthouse sliced through the defence to score under post and with Shaun once again converting, the sides turned round at half time with the Bees leading 14-7.

The theme continued into the second half, an error strewn Leeds team led to the Bees dominating procession and with them also being on top in the scrums, lineouts and breakdowns it was difficult for the Medic to get their hands on any decent ball.

In a very similar fashion to the first Bees try Ryan Wilson was once again on hand to dot down the ball for his second of the game and with Shaun converting making it 21-7. The Barbarians made some interchanges in the second half bringing Foggy Phillips in at scrum half for Harry Collis who once again had an excellent game at 9 until taking a knock.

As England were making their way to the final of the Dubai Sevens you may have thought that some of the bees were trying to emulate some of those wearing the English Rose as the next try is certainly a contender for try of the season. It started from a marauding run by veteran Dale Martin and some strong recycling of the ball by the bees forwards, the ball came out to Dan Cookson who switched with Oli Stewart mesmerising the defence, followed by some electrifying hands and finally giving Dan Cobb (another to follow the “Return to Rugby” campaign) the chance to score on his second team debut in the corner and with this the 5 league points.
As the game crept into the last 10 minutes the Bees started to tire and the final score came from a very resilient and fit Leeds Medics and Dentist side, they cut down the penalty count and started winning some of the ball in the tight and with them on the front foot were able to score a consolation try in the last minute.

The final score 26-12 and another great result in the 2nd team merit league.

MOM Shaun Driver