Leeds Tykes’ captain Jake Brady said that stage one of the team’s plan was “complete” after his side ran out 61-12 victors over Hull Ionians.
On a beautiful afternoon at The Sycamores, Leeds produced some breath-taking rugby to wrap up their most convincing win since the club’s reformation.
Hull Ionians started out with some real intent, forcing the Tykes to demonstrate some defensive metal in the opening stages.
The first try came against the run of play. Andrew Lawson was the beneficiary of a superb line break from Kieran Davies, after hooker Maddison Hunting had started the move with a great line-out snaffle. Davies converted the score to make it 7-0.
The fly-half got himself on the scoresheet following great work from Tobi Ademakin to turn the ball over in the danger zone. The extras were duly applied, 14-0.
The Tykes continued to apply the pressure, finding gaps in the opposition defence at will as their superior fitness began to show. Smooth transitions from wing to wing got the team moving up field. Referee Daniel Woods awarded a penalty which was kicked to touch, only to be reversed and given to Hull as a free kick.
Soon after, Hull lost possession in contact as Lawson rounded off a training ground move to go over for a brace, Davies remained faultless with the boot to make the score 21-0.
With confidence running through their veins, Leeds secured the bonus point try in style. A huge hit from Xavier Valentine gained possession in the defensive third before the ball was transferred freely between forwards and backs, eventually leaving Charlie Venables to dive over and round off a fine team move. Davies continued his 100% conversion streak to extend the lead, 28-0.
Leeds added insult to injury when Will Hardwick joined the party for try number five. Hull were gallant in defence to disrupt some of the Tykes’ attacking shape before Harry Jukes ran round the outside to dot down unopposed. Both scores were expertly converted to make it 42-0 on the stroke of half-time.
The visitors began the second half as they started the first, camped out in the Leeds 22. The first act of resistance came from William Stowe who forced his way over in the corner. The conversion drifted wide, 42-5.
Ademakin barged his way over as normal service was resumed for a well-deserved score, continuing his fine run of form so far in the Ventur Cup. Sadly, Tykes' run of conversions came to an end as Conor Lloyd saw the ball sail wide of the posts, 47-5.
Leeds’ eighth try came courtesy of James Magee after Lawson unselfishly laid it on a plate, despite being on a hat-trick. Davies once again found his range; the score became 54-5 following the conversion.
Not to be outdone, Hull scored a late consolation try with Stowe rumbling his way over, taking advantage of some lacklustre Tykes defence. The extras were added from the touchline to make the scoreboard read 54-12.
The final try of the game came from Venables who started and finished the move in another example of the free-flowing rugby Phil Davies is striving for. The conversion was a formality for the in-form Kieran Davies, taking the final score to 61-12.
After the game, a delighted Phil Davies told the official website: “You can see we are getting better each week, which is the most important thing at this stage of our development. There was a nice balance between forwards and backs, which is very pleasing.”
Speaking of how the squad will use their week off, the Head Coach added: “It’s been a tough first training block but we’ve achieved our primary objective, which was to make the final. We are hoping for a big crowd at Headingley. Playing Leeds Beckett means the students are sure to get involved and create a great atmosphere.
“The squad will use next week to recover both physically and mentally before we look to attack the last group game. That should put us in a good place for the final the following week.”
