Carnegie assert their physical dominance

YORKSHIRE Carnegie thrived in the Lady Bay mud to dominate the final 30 minutes and post a fourth win in five Championship games.

“I can’t fault the spirit and effort,” enthused head coach Steve Boden about how Carnegie had avenged Nottingham’s first win at Headingley earlier in the season.

“We knew we had to be very determined because Nottingham always play well here and come at you but I thought we controlled the game,” Boden added about this win by five tries to two. Full-back Jacob Umaga kicked four out of five conversions.

Carnegie pulled away in the later stages by scoring three tries after Nottingham had grabbed a 15-14 lead eight minutes after the interval thanks to wing David Williams racing clear from his own half.

On first view it was a memorable individual try, the wing outpacing the Carnegie cover in a run from the left side near his 22 to finish in the right corner.

But Boden claimed his team had been caught off guard because they expected a penalty to be awarded by Sara Cox after she called advantage following a Nottingham infringement.

A chip ahead by Carnegie was pounced on by Williams who grabbed the opportunity to surprise the visitors.

Since Carnegie lost out in October they have overhauled their squad while Nottingham have not won since December hampered by injuries.

Nottingham’s quick style was derailed by the heavy pitch and Carnegie’s overpowering forward muscle based on a dominant lineout. It was a tough night for Tom Varndell, on loan from Leicester, who received about one pass in each half.

Nottingham head coach Neil Fowkes conceded the conditions had helped Carnegie. “To be fair to our guys we competed fully but they are a good side and had a very powerful maul.”

Carnegie’s pressure brought first-half tries for fly half Jade Te Rure and hooker Joe Buckle after Shane O’Leary had given Nottingham a 3-0 lead.

Carnegie led 14-3 but Nottingham’s tenacity brought a try from lock Tim Cardall in the 26th minute followed by Williams’ escape early in the second half. But they could not stem the Carnegie greater weight which meant for a tough final 30 minutes.

Wing Harry Davey finished off after scrum-half Jean-Baptiste Bruzulier had grabbed the initiative through a quick tap-and-go from a penalty.

Captain Richie Mayhew emerged from a forward drive for the fourth to be followed over by wing George Watkins in the last minute.