Leeds bid to maintain their fledgling Zurich Premiership status took another
step in the right direction with victory over Bristol at Headingley.
The Tykes, pre-season favourites for relegation, now sit five points above
bottom-placed Harlequins with a game in hand on the struggling Londoners.
And if Phil Davies' men continue to display the same determination they showed
this afternoon, they stand a great chance of avoiding the drop.
The strong wind and intermittent rain meant the match offered little in the
way of entertainment with tries from the Tykes' Craig Emmerson and Dan
Scarborough the only exceptions.
Bristol did little in attack and rarely threatened the Leeds line, relying on
the boot of their Argentina fly-half Felipe Contepomi for all their points.
Contepomi's opposite number Braam Van Straaten directed operations for the
Tykes with a fine display, setting up Scarborough's try and kicking 14 points.
Leeds made an explosive start and nearly crossed through Shaun Woof in the
second minute only for the centre to be checked inches short of the line.
However, the home side were awarded a penalty for offside and they opted for a
scrum - a decision that backfired when Bristol came up with the ball through
Phil Christophers.
The pacey winger raced down the left flank past the halfway line and fed
Shoguns skipper Jason Little but the Wallaby World Cup winner could not find the
unmarked Andrew Higgins with his pass.
Bristol did win a penalty though which Contepomi slotted over but Van Straaten
levelled moments later with a successful kick.
A 15th-minute Contepomi drop goal restored the visitors lead as play swept
from end to end with neither team able to gain the upper hand.
Van Straaten was the next to add to the scoreboard with another penalty but he
then missed with three long-range efforts shortly after - the second rebounding
off the post.
Just as it looked as though the half would peter out, Leeds launched the best
attack of the game - and their efforts were rewarded with a fine try.
The score involved most of the back line at some point and, courtesy of some
outstanding support play, winger Emmerson touched down in the left corner.
Bristol's problems grew as the half neared its conclusion with the sin-binning
of number eight Matt Salter, Van Straaten slotting over the resulting penalty.
Salter returned after the break but he was replaced in the sin-bin by his
team-mate and substitute Chris Morgan who was penalised for a professional foul.
Leeds took advantage of the extra man in the 64th minute when a slashing run
from Woof eventually saw the ball released to Van Straaten who put in a neat
grubber kick which Scarborough dived on for a well-worked try.
Van Straaten added the conversion and another penalty before Woof was
sin-binned in the dying moments in an otherwise excellent afternoon for the
Tykes.
Teams:
Leeds: Scarborough, Hall, Woof, Mulder, Emmerson, van Straaten, Benton, Shelley, Rawlinson, Kerr, C. Murphy, Palmer, Mather, Hyde, Fea'unati.
Replacements: P. Murphy for C. Murphy (53), Ponton for Hyde (58).
Not Used: Fullman, Luffman, O'Reilly, Bachop, Benson.
Tries: Emmerson, Scarborough.
Cons: van Straaten.
Pens: van Straaten 4.
Bristol: Williams, Daniel, Higgins, Little, Christophers, Contepomi, Blake, Johnstone, McCarthy, White, Sturnham, A. Brown, Sheridan, Vander, Salter.
Replacements: Rees for Christophers (57),
Drahm for Contepomi (57), Nelson for McCarthy (67),
C. Morgan for Vander (40).
Not Used: D. Bergamaschi, Brownrigg, Hodgson.
Pens: Contepomi.
Drop Goals: Contepomi.
Sin Bin: Salter (40), C. Morgan (57).
Att: 2,340
Ref: Chris White (RFU).
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