NURL 1sts – 26
Leeds University 1sts – 6
The mighty NURL Death Machine relentlessly clicked into gear last Wednesday with an emphatic win away at Leeds.
The University’s most cherished club has had to deal with the departure of a golden generation of players including burly Mikey Bryan, Surly Ed Ainscoe and the ever imperious Liam Gasior but newly appointed skipper Michael Ward has an exiting attack-minded squad at his disposal.
The team has benefited from a fine intake of freshers and 5 were selected to take on a Leeds side promoted from the Yorkshire Premier Division. The forward pack in particular has been bolstered by new arrivals Ian Mcpherson, Dan Midwood and Will Winner whose unnaturally large frames have provided NURL with a vital injection of shunt. Indeed speculation is rife that the newcomers might be part of Princess Eugenie’s security personnel attempting to infiltrate and ingratiate themselves within the student community.
The Owls started the match poorly with some uncharacteristic handling errors and the usual belligerence from penalty engine Michael Brady. Fortunately Leeds were also suffering from season-opener jitters and the first ten minutes passed with stoic defense dominating any attacking flair.
As half-backs Laim Mcgee and the ‘Little General’ Rishi Sumra began to see more of the ball NURL gained the ascendancy and soon crossed the whitewash when Jack Lines nabbed a debut try after slick handling from Dave Knox. The try was unconverted but more points soon followed when live-wire Hooker Robse Greaves scored a dreadful Dave Parkeresq try from the play-the-ball.
Just as Newcastle were finding their rhythm an elderly Leeds prop suffered a horrendous leg break after a collision with Jim Phillips’ Osmium knee and the match was delayed for half an hour whilst medical care was given. Leeds took advantage of the set-back scoring immediately after the interruption, capitalizing on lacsidaisical Newcastle defending. NURL went in to half time 10-6 up and the score stayed at that margin for the first ten minutes of the second half with more handling errors from both sides and generally fractious play.
Eventually Newcastle’s technical superiority began to show and points came when Miracle Man Mike Ward broke through 3 challenges to bound over for a stunning 60 yard try which was duly converted by Greaves. Miles Hudson then added to the scoreline with a surging finish from Centre after some impressive trundling from Joe Robinson.
After the tries the Owls finally began to defend as a team with fine bashing from left side in particular, albeit against the Leeds Winger who resembled an enfeebled walking coat hanger.
The performance was capped off with the try of the game that also served to cement the return of star player Stunnin Steve Moorcroft. With Sam Boyd putting in a typically superb kick return marauding Winger Kevin Davey received the offload and proceeded to spatula the ball to Moorcroft who returned the ball out of the tackle to Davey who again offloaded to Boyd who finished the glory play in resplendent fashion.
Newcastle perhaps should have scored more points but the performance is an indication of fine things to come and the legions of NURL fans can rest assured that the club is in good hands.