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Leeds Carnegie ace Bell puts boot into Bedford Blues
HEADWAY: Leeds Carnegies Andy Titterrell side steps Bedfords Paul Tupai.
Leeds Carnegie were grateful for the boot of Tommy Bell as he kicked all the points to record a valuable victory over second-placed Bedford Blues at Headingley Carnegie.
Carnegie returned to Headingley Carnegie for the first time since New Year’s Day as they looked to bounce back from a surprise defeat at Plymouth two weeks earlier.
But the game had a delayed kick-off due to Bedford having transport problems and it was Leeds who got things started as Bell kicked a penalty.
But the Blues equalised through full-back James Pritchard after eight minutes when Leeds were offside 25 metres out and then fly-half Jake Sharp defied the heaving rain to drive a low kick over from near halfway to give his side the lead.
Joe Ford attempted a drop goal to level the score after 16 minutes after Leeds had gained advantage at a ruck. The effort went wide and it became a double blow for Leeds when Bell missed the subsequent penalty attempt.
Bedford’s Sharp then missed the chance to extend his side’s lead when an attempt from the same range as his previous succcesful effort dropped short.
However, it was not long before Bedford had increased their lead though Josh Bassett appeared to knock on as he attempted to offload one handed.
Premiership referee Dave Pearson waved play on and awarded the try to Ian Vass.
Sharp missed the conversion attempt but his side now led 11-3 after 25 minutes.
Leeds regrouped well with scrum-half Will Cliff at the heart of things and the home side did cut the deficit with six minutes to go in the half when Bell kicked a penalty from long range.
Carnegie finished the first half on the defensive after Bell knocked on inside his own 22 however they managed to hold on until the break with Bedford giving away a penalty in attack near the Leeds line. It was clear that coach Diccon Edwards had given his side a good talking to at half-time as they came out in determined fashion looking to make amends for their errors in the first 40 minutes.
However, despite their best efforts they conceded another penalty which Pritchard easily converted to give his side a 14-6 lead.
Leeds once again looked to up the intensity, particularly at the break down and they got their reward as referee Pearson found fault with the Blues actions in that area of the field.
The unerring boot of Bell slowly chipped away at the lead, just as it had done at Bedford in the reverse fixture earlier this season and he eventually took Leeds in front with four more penalties at regular intervals.
The Blues threatened late drama with a third Pritchard penalty to make it 18-17 however Bell’s seventh penalty secured a 21-17 win for Edwards’ side.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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