 | MATCH SUMMARY Leeds (17) 26
Tries: Doherty, Thomas
Cons: De Marigny (2)
Pens: De Marigny (4) Bristol (6) 16
Try: Robinson
Con: Strange
Pens: Strange (2), Hayes |
Leeds battled to a hard-earned victory over Bristol at Headingley to move within a point of Bath at the foot of the Guinness Premiership table. Roland de Marigny's early penalty set the tone, and tries from David Doherty and Nathan Thomas helped Leeds to a 17-6 half-time lead.
Lee Robinson's try soon after the break raised hopes of a Bristol comeback as they closed the gap to 17-13.
But Leeds regained their composure, and De Marigny's penalties sealed the win.
The Tykes' victory was their fifth win in their last seven home games, and has put them hot on the heels of Bath in the table.
After De Marigny's penalty opened the scoring, Leeds then scored a superb try after some expansive play from Justin Marshall, Tom Palmer, Chris Bell gave Doherty the chance to pin his ears back and score.
Leeds were well on top and Thomas took advantage of Nathan Budgett's sin-binning to wrestle his way over from close range.
Jason Strange kicked two penalties for Bristol to cut the gap, and Robinson's well-taken try early in the second-half had Leeds worried.
But Leeds showed impressive resolve to work their way up the field and force Bristol into mistakes that De Marigny's accurate kicking punished.
Leeds director of rugby Phil Davies:
"Rob Rawlinson and Gordon have had a fine battle this season for the hooking position and like I just said to Gordon in there, that was his best performance for the club so far. "I thought he was excellent, but I thought the whole team performance was superb and our defence was excellent.
"It was a pleasing performance and there were lots of things there that we can take encouragement and learn from."
Bristol boss Richard Hill:
"It looked possible that we could come back after going 17-6 down but we just conceded too much possession. "We just didn't perform very well - our performances haven't been too bad but against Leeds it just disappointing.
"We'd like to play some good rugby to get these wins but it's pretty serious stuff now."
Leeds: Doherty; Rees, Bell, Snyman, Biggs; De Marigny, Marshall; Lensing, Bulloch, Gerber; Hooper, Palmer; Morgan, Parks, Thomas.
Replacements: Craig for Bell (26), Shelley for Gerber (48), Dunbar for Morgan (31), Hyde for Parks (50).
Not Used: Rawlinson, Murphy, McMillan.
Bristol: Stortoni; Robinson, Higgitt, Cox, Lemi; Strange, Perry; Hilton, Regan, Crompton; Budgett, Llewellyn; Salter, El Abd, Lewis.
Replacements: Hayes for Strange (68), A Clarke for Hilton (67), Sambucetti for Budgett (68).
Not Used: Nelson, Ward-Smith, Nicholls, Denney.
Att: 5,573
Referee: Dave Pearson (RFU).
MMIX
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