LEEDS Tykes pulled off a sensational comeback to consign Rams to a 36-33 National One home defeat in an 11-try Halloween thriller.
The hosts started superbly and took a deserved lead as Alex Ridgway picked up from the base of a five-metre scrum, Ross McKay with the extras.
But they lost Liam Saayman to the sin-bin for a high tackle in midfield before two more penalties gifted Tykes field position for Albert Bradshaw to touch down.
Leeds then hit the front as scrum-half Ewan Laughton spotted a gap before freeing Jack Hamilton to touch down.
Eddie Crossland converted before Henry Kirwan grabbed his first try for Rams.
It was again the forwards – immense throughout the contest – who set the platform, a dominant scrum allowing Matt Wickham to send the Canadian wing over on the right.
McKay landed a sensational touchline conversion and repeated the trick after Ollie Stirling went over for 21-12 at the break.
The former Harrow School second row finished the job from another maul, after Sam Stirling had previously been held up over the line.
Game seemingly safe, then gone
Rams suffered at the start of the second half, though, Isaac Tokura yellow carded for off side before Ben Turpin touched down on the left.
Lucas Walsh made the initial dent with a 60-metre burst from near his own goal-line.
But Ben Dixon went to the bin for Leeds and the hosts seemed to have the game sown up as Zach Clow and Ryan Cozens crossed, McKay adding to the latter.
Clow’s score was a repeat of Kirwan’s, the dominant scrum setting-up a walk-in, while Cozens powered over from close range.
But from 33-17 up, Tykes rallied.
Bradshaw doubled up on the right to make it game on with 25 minutes remaining, and it was a four-point game after Kristan Dobson scythed through, Seramaia Bai Turagabeci with the extras.
And Old Bath Road was then silenced with three minutes remaining, a dazzling break down the left ending with Matt Salisbury dotting down next to the posts.
Turagabeci converted, but there was still time for one last twist.
Sadly, it did not go Rams’ way.
Turning down a shot at goal from a penalty in front of the posts, they went to the corner but lost the line-out.
And Leeds were exultant as they kicked the ball out to seal the deal.
Rams head to table-toppers Plymouth Albion next Saturday before hosting Camborne on Saturday, November 14 (3pm).
For tickets, click here
Final Score: Rams 33-36 Leeds Tykes (Half Time: 21-12)
Scorers
Rams
Tries: Ridgway 7 Kirwan 22 O Stirling 38 Clow 47 Cozens 52
Conversions: McKay 8, 23, 39, 48
Leeds Tykes
Tries: Bradshaw 12, 56 Hamilton 17 Turpin 42 Dobson 63 Salisbury 77
Conversions: Crossland 18 Bai Turagabeci 64, 78
Star Man: Matt Salisbury (Leeds Tykes)
Referee: Alex Powdrell
Attendance: 680
Rams
(15-9, 1-8) D Atkins, Kirwan, Blee, Tokura, Clow, McKay, Wickham; Marris, Austin ©, Lomas, Cozens, O Stirling, Saayman, Swain, Ridgway
Replacements: Harris, S Stirling, B Atkins, Burns, McDonald
Leeds Tykes
(15-9, 1-8) Dobson, Bradshaw , Salisbury, Dixon ©, Turpin, Crossland, Laughton; Pleasants, Bailey, Casselden, Collins, Hamilton, Walker, Walsh, Teague
Replacements: Brown, Tatford, Major, Williams, Bai Turagabeci
