In the only Super 8 game taking place this week LEEDS MET CARNEGIE and GLOUCESTERSHIRE played out a thrilling contest on the new 3G surface at Leeds Rugby Foundation.

The home side eventually got the better of their visitors 18-14 but everyone in attendance cannot have failed to be impressed with the quality of rugby on show from both sides.

Despite the cold and blustery conditions both teams showed why they currently occupy places in the top three of the elite student competition and the result was in doubt right up until the final whistle.

The champions hit the front with a Jack Sampson try that was converted by Mark Wool and that was how it stayed until the break with both sides defending resolutely.

The opening exchanges in the second half were equally as fierce; however, it looked like win number eight was going to be a formality for Paul Fletcher’s side when Alister Leeke touched down in the 47th minute for another converted score to make it 12-0.

The All Golds response was swift and in the 52nd minute Sam Vaughan sent Phil Cowburn crashing in at the corner to bring the score to 12-4.

The ebb and flow continued and on 60 minutes a well judged Mark Wool bomb saw German international Jimmy Keinhorst rise highest for a third Leeds try. Wool goaled and at 18-44 Leeds seemed to have sealed it.

However the All Golds had other ideas and tremendous breaks from Yannic Parker, James Greene and Callum Mulkeen were thwarted before Pat Evans shrugged off several defenders to score near the corner flag.

A fine Matt Bradley conversion meant the visitors were back in it at 18-10 after 60 minutes.

Mike Stewart then had a try ruled out by the referee but this was not to deter the All Golds.

With seconds left a loose ball on the All Golds 20 metre line was seized on by Jordan Rice and several passes later Cowburn outpaced the cover defence to complete a sweeping 80 metre move.

The conversion was missed and play then ended to bring an end to an absorbing match.

Gloucestershire head coach Ken Stone was delighted with the performance.

"We still have a number of areas to work on but there is no doubting the quality and courage of the players.

“We go in to the Christmas break near the top of the table and in good heart."

The game between HULL and ST MARY’S was postponed, whilst LOUGHBOROUGH and NORTHUMBRIA both claimed the points from their non-fulfilled games against EDGE HILL and UCLAN respectively.

For more information on the student game visit www.studentrl.com


RESULTS
Wednesday 14 December
Leeds Met Carnegie 18 v 14 Gloucestershire
UCLAN v w/o Northumbria
Loughborough w/o v Edge Hill
Hull P v P St Mary’s


FIXTURES
Next fixtures on Wednesday 18 January