Leeds Tykes forced to keep relentless pace in relegation battle
Victory at Clifton last weekend was as welcome as it was needed for a Leeds Tykes team desperately trying to keep pace in a relentless relegation scrap.
In any other league or season, six wins from 17 games would be good enough for lower mid-table.
In the 14-team National One, however, it only adds up to second-bottom for Leeds.
Leicester Lions look like they’ve gone - but even they have won two games - while Leeds find themselves in a scrap with as many as five other teams from eighth down to avoid the two other relegation places.
Even fourth-bottom would not bring instant safety as the team that finishes there face a play-off with the second-place finishes in the north, east and west divisions of National Two North.
That 34-19 win at third-bottom Clifton last time out was huge then, just as tonight’s trip to ninth-placed Sedgley Park is similarly important.
“I never look at the table,” said director of rugby Pete Seabourne. “If you do you can let it get on top of you.
“If we get enough wins and enough bonus points we’ll be safe.
“But this is a tough league. Across the board, look at results, anybody can beat anybody, there’s no banker results.
“We’re expecting another tough game at Sedgley Park.”
The win at Clifton was their first since they toppled leaders Rotherham before Christmas. They have won six of their last 12 to give themselves hope.
“The performances after Christmas have been pretty good without getting the results we deserve, and last week everything clicked together,” said Seabourne.
“It was a really pleasing performance, a good all-round effort, the backs chipped in, the forwards chipped in and we looked good, we looked organised.
“Performances had been good without getting that W at the end of it.
“We trusted the process, coaches are working hard, the players are and we can see light at the end of the tunnel.”