The Jim Saynor Ground, bathed in sunshine, welcomed West Leeds for the first meeting of the clubs this season. With home and aways wins last season Roy MacKay’s men were keen to present more of a challenge given their great start to this season.
Early exchanges were even with West Leeds using their wide game to stretch the home defence. An attacking line out on The Pythons’ 5m presents good ball used wide once again for the winger to score in the corner, 0-5 on 15mins.
Pythons dominance in the scrum sees several resets and penalties but little progress to the away team’s line. Marcus Fotherby, returning from injury, steals a line out ball on half way and drives 30m forwards. The ball is presented on the 22m line, Harvey Ward, on debut, finds Ben Pryor who links with Max Sharp to release Bailey Bromberg to speed under the posts, Liam Kernoghan with the extra, 7-5 on 20 mins.
Fotherby steals another line out on half way and earns a penalty. Ward taps to himself and feeds Jackson Hobson on a great line to score next to the posts, 14-5 half time.
Kernoghan adds another penalty before Will Milnes turns over the ball in mid field, Ward feeds Hugh Tatlow who finds Bromberg on half way. He steps his winger and uses electrifying pace to score under the posts, 24-5.
West Leeds score in the corner. Pythons steal another line out and Ward is quick to move play forward. George Booth flattens his opposite number and Ward gets the whole back line moving with a pinpoint pass to Pryor, Joe Bentham moves the ball to Sharp who once again releases speedster Bromberg to round the defence and get his hat trick, Kernoghan with the extra, 31-10.
West Leeds score two more tries before Kernoghan closes the game with a penalty, 34-22.
After the game Coach MacKay said, “ This Pythons win not only marked 4/4 a perfect start but also exceeded the number of wins in total for last season such is the progress we have made this season.
We want to play with a smile on our faces but we also need to temper our enthusiasm for throwing the ball around with a sound execution of our skills.
When we play with purpose and clarity the boys can beat anyone but consistency is the key. This typified the game moments of brilliance by both sides mixed with avoidable errors. However good sides know how to win ugly and that’s what matters you can’t win beautiful all the time.
