Stern Tykes defence lays foundation for Tigers taming
Top of the table Leeds produced a clinical second-half display, running out to a comprehensive 49 – 7 victory over Sheffield Tigers.
Hat-trick hero Ben Dixon was the stand-out performer, scoring his first treble for the club. The powerful centre was the beneficiary of some excellent teamwork, built on dominance from the forward pack.
On a foggy day, the visitors opened the scoring with a penalty from Will Baker, who added his second seven minutes later. Tykes’ first converted score came through Aarin Yorke, who dotted down at the back of a maul, between Baker’s interludes. Keiran Davies added his customary extras on another faultless day with the boot. Youngster Ben Turpin scored out wide seven minutes before the interval to put the Tykes in command.
The home side showed their class after the break with waves of attacking flair led by Davies and his fellow back Dixon. Ben got over for his first try two minutes into the second period with Davies securing the bonus point in the next consolidated attack.
The outside centre cut loose just after the hour, scoring two tries in the space of five minutes to cap off a fine individual display. Davies converted both to put the hosts in cruise control.
Eddie Brown added insult to injury with a try in the dying embers. Dixon’s centre partner Tom Williams added the extras with the final kick.
Speaking after the game, man of the moment Dixon added: “I had a bit of try-scoring drought mid-season so it’s nice to get over the line three times today. I think that was a clinical performance from us, especially to keep them out the whole second half. We’ve been working hard on our defence, and I think the penalties only came through our over-eagerness at times.”
“We are gaining momentum in this block of games for the tougher challenges ahead, which is pleasing. Remaining unbeaten and top of the table is always a bonus but we must take it one week at a time.”
Director of Rugby Pete Seabourne added: “We scored some good tries. We had to be patient in the first half and adapted our play in the second. Keeping Sheffield Tigers tryless was a pleasing point. We defended our line very well and we worked hard for each other.”
Final score 49-6
(HT 14-6)
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Thanks to Ben Cropper for our match report.
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