Leeds Tykes gain revenge and statement win as National One revival gathers pace
Four seasons ago, Leeds Tykes went to Tonbridge Juddians fighting for their lives in National One and were beaten with the last kick of the game.
Ultimately it was Juddians who lost their third-tier status a month later, Leeds surviving that season but falling into the fourth division 12 months later.
But the outcome was on the mind of Pete Seabourne, now director of rugby at Tykes, and a few other long-standing Leeds players and staff as they built another lead at Tonbridge on Saturday.
Only this time they held on for a 38-31 victory, one that came against a Juddians side that has spent a bit of money, has good connections with Harlequins and is showing ambition – all of which adds up to a statement win for an improving Leeds.
“Four years ago we got stung with the last kick of the game when they pinched it off us, so it was good to get one back on them,” said Seabourne (pictured).
“One or two of us remembered that as we were watching the second half. So it was a good win for us.
“You've got to take the travel into account, a long way to go and the conditions weren’t great, it had been frozen, then wet and sticky. But we handled those conditions really well.
“They had a spell where they came back at us but we always felt in control, controlled field position and kept the scoreboard ticking over in what was probably one of our best performances since I’ve been involved.”
After losing their first five games on the return to National One, Leeds are starting to have a few more ‘really good days’ – four out of the last six to be precise.
“The players executed what we wanted to do to a tee and I was really pleased for them and the staff,” said Seabourne. “A performance like that has been coming.
“Now we’ve got a couple of wins under our belt you can see the mood in the place has lifted, they’re not as stressed out, they’re a lot more relaxed and it’s pleasing to see.
“Anybody can beat anybody in this league, so we’re just looking to claw teams back, which we’re starting to do. Two or three wins before the Christmas break and we could be mid-table.”