Sat 9 Apr 2022, 15:00
Despite their customary second half resurgence, the Tykes were forced to settle for just two league points after a hard-fought battle in Kent.
A last-minute penalty from Ryan Taylor-Dennehy stole victory for the home side and denied Leeds what would have been an invaluable five points in their bid for survival.
Both sides scored tries from driving mauls in the opening 10 minutes, the only difference being Taylor-Dennehy’s conversion, which nudged the hosts in front. Tonbridge also lost Adam Hakimian to the sin bin in a frantic start to the game.
Leeds failed to exploit their numerical advantage courtesy of some robust Juddians’ defence.
On 23 minutes, National League One’s basement club stretched their lead after Kyle McGhie touched down in the corner when the ball was spread wide from another maul. Taylor-Dennehy added the touchline conversion.
Five minutes before the break, Leeds’ Matt Burke was yellow carded for a high tackle. Tonbridge took full advantage of the extra man as Duncan Tout crashed over down the middle; simple extras added from just in front of the posts. Leeds knew they had work to do in the second period to overturn the 21-5 halftime deficit.
The match was a classic tale of two halves, with Leeds dominating proceedings in the second stanza. With the wind on their side, the Tykes begin to play some free-flowing rugby.
Tobi Ademakin muscled his way over from close range to reduce the arrears following a quick tap penalty. Venables’s conversion attempt was charged down, leaving the Tykes 11 points behind.
Soon after, Leeds scored again through Harry Jukes, who recognised a gap down the short side. Venables pushed his conversion attempt wide as the game heated up.
The Kent outfit reverted to type as another strong maul laid the platform for playmaker Taylor-Dennehy to scamper in down the blind side and seal the try bonus point for his side. He was unable to convert.
Just after the hour mark, Leeds hit back through scrum-half Will Hardwick to secure their own bonus point. Charlie Venables converted to get the Tykes within range at 26-22.
With around two minutes remaining, Leeds looked to have snatched victory as Dom Hardman scored a trademark pick and go try out wide. The conversion went begging to leave the game in the balance.
Tykes’ ill-discipline gave the referee no option as he awarded the hosts a lifeline from the restart. A confident Taylor-Dennehy stepped up and scored from his own 10 metre line in the final seconds. Victory for the home side means the relegation dogfight is likely to go down to the wire.
Tykes Head Coach Jon Callard refused to concede his side’s fate was sealed saying: “People will look at these last two games and say we should have had more. However, we must be positive and take the things we’ve done well in to our remaining games.
“It’s another two points for us and we’ll see how important they prove to be at the end of the season.”
