Recent Form: Tykes have enjoyed a frustrating start to 2022 with narrow defeats at Bishop’s Stortford (12-7) and against table-topping visitors Rosslyn Park (19-11) coming off the back of a four-week break created by the festive period and Covid problems around the camp.

The enforced lay-off came at a poor time for Leeds, who had beaten bottom side Tonbridge Juddians 21-19 at the start of December after producing a stunning comeback win at in-form Cambridge the week before.

Trailing 15-0 inside the first quarter, Tykes defied tough conditions to run out 17-15 victors.
In their two games before that Leeds had lost 29-12 at home to Chinnor, but picked up two bonus-points as they pushed high-flying Caldy to the brink before being edged out 31-28.

A terrific 27-25 home triumph against Blackheath came on the back of a heart-breaking 33-32 reverse at Birmingham Moseley as Tykes grew into life in National One on the back of a tough start.

Away defeats at Cinderford (50-12), Sale (21-17) and Rams had come on the back of a first victory at home to Bishop’s Stortford (33-25) in week three, itself following a heavy loss at title favourites Rosslyn Park (60-10) and one against visitors Taunton Titans (41-29).

Players to Watch:

Andrew Lawson – Having joined Yorkshire Carnegie from Harrogate at the start of the 2019/20 campaign, the full-back stayed with the club as they rebranded and is their top try-scorer to date with five to his name.

Grabbed a brilliant hat-trick in the narrow defeat at Caldy, and has also crossed the whitewash against Chinnor and Cambridge.

Ben Dixon – Played every game for Darlington Mowden Park in the shortened 2019/20 National One season before switching to Tykes at the start of this one, he has touched down against Blackheath, Birmingham Moseley, Bishop’s Stortford and Taunton on the opening day for a quartet of tries in 10 appearances.

Charlie Venables – Tykes’ top point-scorer with 77 to his name and has proved a highly reliable goal-kicker for the most part, landing two penalties in the game at Old Bath Road earlier this season.

Having only missed one game this season, the utility back started at full-back, but has also played on the wing and in both centre roles, scoring tries against Cinderford and Birmingham.