Sat 2 Apr 2022, 15:00
Despite a brave Leeds Tykes effort, in-form Cambridge left the Sycamores with five points, ably assisted by a 24-minute hat-trick from the League’s top try scorer Ben Brownlie.
All three of the hooker’s tries came from driving mauls, Harry Johnston successfully converted on each occasion.
Leeds fought gallantly in all other facets of the game. Tighe Maxwell-Whiteley slotted a penalty, later converting a Dom Hardman try. The prop burst over after Leeds’ first period of sustained pressure, giving his side something to build on in the second half. The eleven-point deficit at half time didn’t seem insurmountable as the Tykes left the field with spirits lifted.
Leeds started the second half as they ended the first. However, due to set piece inaccuracy, they were unable to turn the possession into points. Matt Dawson secured the try bonus point for the visitors on 52 minutes, duly converted by Johnston. On several occasions, the Tykes worked themselves into promising positions but were unable to take their opportunities.
As the tempo of the game increased, Leeds opted to attack in wider channels. Harry Jukes left his marker for dead, sprinting down the touchline before cutting back inside to score beside the post, leaving Maxwell-Whiteley with the simplest of conversions.
The lively fly-half, who was at the centre of everything the Tykes did well, helped himself to a well-deserved try. His dancing feet created a gap in the Cambridge defensive line; he converted his own score to narrow the gap to just four points.
The Tykes let their emotions get the better of them, failing to deal with the restart. Joe Green eventually forced his way over after several phases in the Tykes’ 22.
A Leeds penalty from the faultless Maxwell-Whiteley brought Leeds within seven, but a Jake McCloud try in the last play denied Leeds a losing bonus point.
Paying credit to his side, Jon Callard said: “We almost dug ourselves out of a hole there. I felt there were lots of decisions that didn’t go our way and on the balance of play, we perhaps should have come away with more.
“We have three important games coming up where everyone involved at the club will do their utmost to produce the results I think we deserve.”
Photo courtesty of John Ashton
