Leeds Tykes…..26pts Rotherham T…. 20pts
LEEDS Tykes claimed victory in the muchanticipated top-ofthe-table clash between the two teams who were both unbeaten ahead of the encounter.
The first 20 minutes was a battle of wills with the play taking place between the two 22m lines.
The Tykes edged the phases and possession, but were foiled when Rotherham kicked away turnover ball time and again.
The table-toppers opened the scoring when Jacob Mounsey, who was lively all match, passed to Harry Jukes.
The league's top tryscorer dodged a few defenders to score in the corner.
Pete Lucock's conversion was successful.
Leeds doubled their points with a smart move from Kieran Davies who spotted a gap between the Rotherham players as the ball exited a line-out. He scored between the posts for Lucock to convert.
Just before half-time, after a series of penalties in and around the Rotherham 5m line, resulted in
Gareth Denman receiving a yellow card. The prop was penalised for going in with his shoulder over the top of a ruck.
The South Yorkshire side came out stronger in the second half.
A penalty from Lloyd Hayes followed by a John Okafor try after a steal from a Leeds' line-out that was converted by Hayes to narrow the gap.
Leeds looked to be in trouble as their discipline let them down and the penalty count was racked up.
Rotherham got to within one point with another converted Hayes' penalty.
The away side kept up the attacks, but the Tykes didn't buckle.
The league leaders showed why they have been unbeaten all season when they upped the pace and scored two quick tries.
Lucock broke off the back of a line-out exit to pass to Davies who scored his second of the match between the posts.
Jukes scored his second, and his side's bonus point try, by running down the tramlines from inside his half. Turagabeci converted.
Rotherham scored a converted try with the last score of the game when they pushed over from a scrum. Okafor grounded the ball with Hayes converting.
Tykes, Director of Rugby Pete Seabour ne said: “That was a proper game of rugby. Rotherham pushed us to the limit. They are a quality side.
“They tested us at the breakdown and set pieces.
“We showed our quality when we held the ball and put the phases together.
“That's when we looked dangerous.
“Two of the tries were outstanding, going the length of the field twice.”
