Leeds City College had a difficult start to the season against Calderdale College who remain unbeaten in the Yorkshire Premier Division after a strong display at Siddal ARLFC.
Leeds started the brightest and actually took the lead in the 7th minute with a great finish by left centre Billy Bolton, who received a looping pass off Leeds Stand-off Braden Hunter. Bolton reached over and scored despite 3 defenders in the tackle for an unconverted try.
Calderdale's reply was instant, strong defence gave Brad Hill the chance to power over on the left and Ryan Sweeney got the first of his 8 conversions. From the next set, good hands by the hosts saw Hill break through and send stand-off Adam Russell over in the corner.
Calderdale were well on top now and should have added to their tally, but after trying to play too expansively, Leeds' Hunter picked off a loose pass and ran the length of the field to score a try, converted by Leeds scrum half Jordan Rivers.
Jordan Whippey barged his way over late in the first half for Calderdale, to leave the score at the break 18-10.
Then Calderdale stepped up a gear in the second period, and scored tries at regular intervals. Props Adam Beare and Dan Garrett both scored carbon copy tries from Jake Smith passes, debutant Aron Manger scored a fantastic individual try and 2nd row James Hanson crashed over.
Leeds gave themselves hope with another breakaway score for Hunter, but Calderdale finished the stronger, centre Dan Parry and Russell with his 2nd took the final score out to 52-14.
Jonny Wainhouse Leeds City College Coach commented “This was a game of two halves, I thought the first half we competed and the boys should be proud of their efforts but the second half Calderdale were too strong and our performance dipped, hence the final score line. We look forward to playing Greenhead College at home next week which will give us an opportunity to put a few wrongs, right”
Leeds City College Man of the Match went to Zack Lillywhite who worked tirelessly all game.
Leeds City College
1 Jack Edgcumbe
2 Fenton Ways
3 Elliott Colons
4 Billy Bolton
5 Chris Noon
6 Braden Hunter
7 Jordan Rivers
8 Andy Rodgers
9 Zack Lillywhite
10 Martyn Reilly
11 Xavirier Martin
12 Rafat Bashir
13 Jack Obrien
14 Craig Shepard
15 Scott Adcock
16 Conner Stone
17 Cllium North Field
18 Chris Webster
19 Zac Pepper
Calderdale College
1 Sam Dunn
2 Devon Gurney
3 Jordan Whippy
4 Dan Parry
5 Aron Manger
6 Adam Russel
7 Ryan Sweeney
8 Dan Garrett
9 George Hulme
10 Louis Hobbs
11 James Hanson
12 Brad Hill
13 Jake Smith
14 Conner Farnell
15 Tyler Balmforth
16 James Turner
19 Adam Beare