Many said it was impossible to win three gand finals in a row. I've supported Leeds since I was a child. I went to the two cup final victories in 1977 and 1978 first against Widnes then against St Helens. I was too young to remember when they were last champions then after 32 years we won. A couple of years passed as St Helens dominated the game. And now, for the first time since grand finals began a team has won three in a row. At the end of, Leeds captain, Kevin Sinfields', winning speach, he said this one is for John Holmes. Probably the best player I ever saw and involved in those '70s cup victories.
So much was at stake yesterday. Sea Longs last game for Saints after 12 years, as is usual, he had a great game. In the first half his kicking ensured Saints domination. Both sides defended well, Saints scored with a great try converted, added a goal from a penalty, Leeds pulled back with two grinded out trys but Sinfield failed to convert either so we went in at half time 8 a piece.
From my arrival in Manchester, the atmosphere amongst the Leeds fans was bouyant and optimistic. Saints fans seemed unusually sobdued but after losing the previous two and Sean Long playing his last game for the club before his move to Hull, I could understand this and feel deep sympathy for them. The game could have gone either way. They had two tries disallowed as players made for the line near the coner broaching touchline through determined Leeds tackling.
Barely 2 minutes in to the 2nd half and Sinfield dropped a goal that seemed a tad premature but put Leeds ahead for the first time in the game. There were two of the most perfect defensive sets of 6 in mid 2nd half, showing we are closer to the NFL than some would have you believe, that, to my mind, swung the game. The Leeds team seemed spiritually closer than Saints, a brethren that seldom occurs. Leeds have no celebraties like Sean Long whose controversial autobiography and antics have given him that status. Sinfield, modest to the last, polite. Leeds are a true team where individuality never clouds the whole. The nucleus of the team has grown up together, local lads, through the academy, augmented with some select signings making, perhaps the greatest Leeds team of all time. Certainly not since the days of John Holmes, Sid Hynes, Les Dyl, John Atkinson, Alan Smith in the 70s have a Leeds side seemed so powerful.
When Wigan were winning everything I recall the cup finals wher all Leeds fans wandered around, strangers in a strange land whereas the Wigan fans had thier pubs and meeting points established like Wembley was thier home ground. There was a touch of that yesterday as Old Trafford is Leeds home for one day a year.
Lee Smith scored 2 tries and sadly is moving down south to play the other code. He won't experience a high like yesyerday again. Wasps are one of the better union sides but even should he break in to the England side and achieve international honours, the lack of passion in union fans, the sheer boredom of the sport, lonely out on the wing. I'm sure he will return to the superior sport. I understand old, battered players, past thier best using it as a transition in to retirement as union is much more gentle and less taxing, the ball in play for half the time it is in league, 5 of thier premiership average less than a try a game. A sport in confussion, unable to come to terms with the pressures of professionalism.
As the game moved in to the last 5 minutes and Leeds were 2 scores ahead, everyone in the ground became aware of the outcome. The euphoria of the Leeds players, coaching staff and fans erupted. We witnessed history, this may never happen again. Withj Long gone which team can hope to catch Leeds? I wouldnt bet against a fourth.
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