Happy New Year for Leeds
Leeds finally registered their first Aviva Premiership win of the season with a 15-13 triumph over Gloucester at Headingley.
Last Updated: 01/01/11 4:12pm
Leeds finally registered their first Aviva Premiership win of the season with a 15-13 triumph over Gloucester at Headingley.
The top-flight's cellar-dwellers enjoyed the perfect start to 2011 thanks to a match-winning try from winger Michael Stephenson in the second half.
The teams had been locked together at 10 apiece at the interval; Hendre Fourie's 15th-minute effort being cancelled out by a try from James Simpson-Daniel. Each side also booted a penalty to leave honours even.
However it was Leeds who came out on top thanks to Stephenson, giving them renewed hope that they can avoid relegation.
Fourie strikes
The final margin of victory could have been more comfortable had Ceiron Thomas not missed the conversion, as well as a late penalty.
The full-back had, though, managed to add the extras after Fourie crossed to break the deadlock, the England flanker marking his first league appearance since October 22 by burrowing his way over from close range.
Lee Blackett had been denied by a last-gasp challenge by Rory Lawson just beforehand but Gloucester were unable to keep Leeds at bay for too long.
It took Gloucester less than 10 minutes to find a response; Simpson-Daniel finished off a flowing move in the corner following good work to create the space out wide by Mike Tindall, Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu and Olly Morgan.
Freddie Burns, preferred at fly-half to Nicky Robinson, converted to make it 7-7 - only for Leeds to go back ahead thanks to a Thomas penalty.
It looked like the hosts would be ahead at the break until a collapsed scrum allowed youngster Burns to draw the Cherry and Whites level.
Skewed
He should have then given the visitors their first lead of the game 10 minutes into the second half from another penalty, but he skewed it wide.
However they were finally in front after 54 minutes when another scrum infringement by Leeds allowed Burns to kick three easy points.
Their advantage, however, lasted all of five minutes as Leeds reaped the rewards of a sustained period of pressure with Stephenson scoring.
The winger benefited from quick ball generated by replacement scrum-half Scott Mathie after determined running by Fourie and fly-half Lachlan MacKay.
Thomas was unable to add the conversion and his failure to land a penalty soon after made it a nervy finish. Leeds managed to hang on though, clinching a much-needed victory that leaves them only three points adrift of nearest rivals Newcastle at the foot of the table.
