A loss is a loss.
Another early try conceded by London and York appeared camped in our end for a lot of the first half. I get the impression when teams move the ball, we become easier to penetrate, beyond the obvious it becomes more of a one man on man situation. I think it’s more to do with the fact that our middle defense is the strength and elsewhere we don’t look particularly strong.
A turnover on the second tackle on our own 22 (knock-on perhaps) set up York for a try.
York’s high kicks to our backs were much more challenging than most our ours from Siti who played scrum half. Siti’s “grubber” kicks on fifth tackles were pretty poor from my perspective.
Bienek played limited minutes (presumably due to having just recovered from injury) but to me still looks our best player.
Walker showed quality, but otherwise was adequate.
A desperate ankle tap pevented a 70 yard Macani try
I told my family that on the last tackle if you kept the ball in hand it was always worth taking a risk to recycle. I’m having second thoughts. Ulberg nearly got in the corner, did really well to stay in bounds and tossed the ball back up the line. It could have ended in a 95 yard try, although I still think it was worth it. It was a warning though. A useless Siti kick inside the 22 and York ran the length of the pitch, some good passing and a try.
As 60 minutes approached, York continued to dominate and I was waiting for the flood gates to open as London tired. At this point, in some respects it was London’s worst home performance of the year.
Then it all changed
London pushed forward, Leyland was instrumental spreading the ball and London looked a real threat. The trys came, as did opportunities for more. Macani couldn’t hold onto a Walker pass for a try in the corner. Latu broke from our 22. Didn’t have the pace but did well got to York’s 22 until a poor kick into the middle gave up possession. I think this break was from a turover. If so we had the full set to use if he’d been more composed.
Siti converted our fourth try with the running clock at 80. It had to be held as no tee available. The chap carrying it was limping and didn’t set off across the pitch until Siti was about to kick. A player had to hold the ball for him. In that situation shouldn’t somebody sprint over with the tee to at least give the option.
Siti checked the time with the ref whilst lining up the kick, so knew we had one last chance. Kick-Off caught inside the 22, but as we looked for one last big play, a long pass across the field was judged forward and time expired before the restart.
London dominated the last 20 minutes which is a massive plus considering the season to date. But in the same as the Bradford match was closer than the scoreline, today wasn’t as close as two points. Far too many mistakes.
Parata was MOM. New boy Bourouh looked very effective off the bench. Williams made a number of good gains. Curran looked quite influential in the last 20 minutes.
I haven’t really worked out the Centre position yet. How much is it an extenion of the forwards? How much is it an extension of the wingers? Along with a quality player in the halves (as I say Leyland stepped it up late on today) and an extra big forward, Centre looks the next place to upgrade. Hopefully Ferreira will be back. Siti might be a good option. Latu and Palumbo look good squad option there, but don’t look first choices. With no backs on the bench, and Palumbo moving to the backs, looks like we are a bit short there.
Really enjoyed the fight back and credit due there. But much work to do still.
