Stobart Super League: Magic Weekend 2012 at the Etihad Stadium
Leed's Danny McGuire scores a try at the Etihad Stadium
Wakefield's VInce Mellars celebrates scoring a try at the Etihad Stadium
Richard Mathers of Wakefield scores a try at the Etihad Stadium
Catalan's Remi Casty pushes through the London line to score a try at the Etihad Stadium
Catalan's Steve Menzies gets to grips with London's Scott Wheeldon at the Etihad Stadium
Salford's Joel Moon crosses the line to score a try at the Etihad Stadium
St Helen's Paul Wellens is challenged by Wigan's Sean O'Loughlin at the Etihad Stadium
Wigan's Liam Farrell celebrates his try with Sam Tomkins at the Etihad Stadium
Widnes' Patrick Ah Van looks dejected at the Etihad Stadium
Warrington's Joel Monaghan takes a catch ahead of Widnes' Rhys Hanbury to score the games final try at the Etihad Stadium
Bradford Bulls v Leeds Rhinos – Super League
Friday evening’s game at Odsal had been chalked up to possibly be the Bulls’ final game. Due to financial difficulties, the club was likely to enter administration if £500,000 could not be found before the end of the day – also the end of the tax year. A statement was due to be released the following morning. There had been an emergency auction to raise funds, alongside street collections and a telephone hotline set up to take pledges. A bumper crowd was expected to fill the historic Odsall Stadium, and the support did not disappoint. There was talk of season ticket holders leaving their entitlement at home, and paying extra for the privilege of watching on from the terraces.
Drizzle very much summed up the general mood before kick off, with many fans with glum expressions on their face. Kick off halted the rain, and turned the frowns upside down. The atmosphere was certainly something to behold. The travelling Leeds’ support was more numerous than normal, and volleyed for vocal supremacy with the home crowd. The first half however, did not provide too much in the way of on field entertainment with just the single Leeds try.
The break proved to be the required catalyst, and a dazzling second half performance from Bradford saw the deficit turned around. Tries from Ben Jeffries and Bull’s man of the match Jamie Langley saw the despondent home side record a morale boosting victory. Indeed, the team lap of honour following the final whistle suggested an improving mood in the Bradford camp.
A general view at the Odsal Stadium
Leeds kick off in front of a packed Odsal Stadium
Bradford's Tom Burgess in action at the Odsal Stadium
Bradford man of the match Jamie Langley celebrates victory at the Odsal Stadium
Bradford head coach Mick Potter leads his victorious side off the pitch at the Odsal Stadium
Leeds remember Gary Speed
Leeds had been the career starting point for the young Welsh man, and played a pivotal role in developing him into the man appreciated and loved by most football fans. The first game to be played at Elland Road following his untimely death was always going to be a poignant one.
Outside, tributes had been left at the Billy Bremner statue from the first few hours of the story breaking. A week later, and the tributes were still pouring in. Inside Elland Road, his family had been welcomed to the club and were in the old directors box. As the players came out of the tunnel and the remembrance minute began, the emotion was clearly too much for many of his relatives.
The entire stadium rang to the sound of applause, and a chorus of ‘There’s only one Gary Speed’ soon followed. The match turned out to become a side event, with the crowd vocally active throughout the 90 minutes – indeed, ‘Ohhh Gary, Gary Gary Gary Gary Speed’ echoed heartrendingly around for a good constant 10 minutes. The atmosphere was respectful and emotionally charged, and served as an excellent reminder as to how much football can touch thousands of peoples’ lives. Money and scandal does not come into it on days like today, football for the love of football.
Fittingly, Robert Snodgrass scored a second half brace to seal a 2-0 victory over Millwall on this most sorrowful of days.
Fans crowd around the Billy Bremner statue at Elland Road, to remember the late Wales manager Gary Speed
The Billy Bremner statue at Elland Road is covered with flowers, shirts and dedications to the late Wales manager Gary Speed
The Billy Bremner statue at Elland Road is covered with flowers, shirts and dedications to the late Wales manager Gary Speed
Tearful fans pay their respects to the late Gary Speed with a silent vigil by the Billy Bremner statue at Elland Road
England v Australia – 4 Nations Final
England's Sam Tomkins fumbles a catch under pressure at Elland Road
England's James Graham is challenged at Elland Road
England's Sam Tomkins and Ryan Hall lead the applause following defeat at Elland Road
Australia celebrate with the cup following victory at Elland Road
Australia's Sam Thaiday, captain Darren Lockyer and Cameron Smith pose for photographs at Elland Road
England’s 4 Nations Final
England's Sam Tomkins at Headingley, Leeds
England's Ryan Hall at Headingly, Leeds
St Helen’s v Leeds – engage Super League Grand Final 2011
Leeds' Zak Hardaker celebrates scoring the winning try at Old Trafford
Leeds celebrate becoming champions at Old Trafford
England v Pakistan – Natwest 2nd ODI
An early morning drive up to the Headingley Stadium in Leeds was not something I was looking forward to on a Sunday, but with the weather proving to be better than expected, and a near enough unlimited supply of a branded stimulant drink on hand.. it wasn’t too bad!
The second one day international involving Pakistan against England was still to be somewhat overshadowed by the on going cricketing crisis. A recent name to be interviewed by police was spared active duty.
The game itself was a closely fought affair, with England pipping Pakistan to victory within the last few remaining balls. Andrew Strauss had a notable innings, earning himself another one day century.
Pakistan v Australia – MCC Spirit of Cricket Test – Day Three
Some images from my final day at the test match – it could have been the last day full stop, with Pakistan ending it with only 40 runs needed, alas, it rolled over in to the Saturday which I could not make!
Pakistan v Australia – MCC Spirit of Cricket Test – Day Two
Some action from day two at Headingley, Leeds.
Pakistan v Australia – MCC Spirit of Cricket Test – Day One
The latest clash between these two visiting countries comes in the form of a 5 day test match, hosted by Yorkshire CCC at Headingly, Leeds. Having been out in the rain the previous night at Preston v Blackburn, I made sure not to be caught out again by going a little over prepared.. so much so I had to lose a few layers when the sun came out!
Australia opted to bat having won the toss, a decision they soon came to regret. Bowled out for 88 runs. One of their worst innings in recent test history. The rain eventually came, and stopped play for the day with Pakistan leading by a good 45+ runs for the loss of 3 wickets.. more to come tomorrow!
Leeds Carnegie 12 v 10 Worcester Warriors – Guinness Premiership
Having a commission on already for the Sunday, I wasn’t expecting to be called with a request to shoot the relegation tie between Leeds and Worcester. I could only manage to arrive for the second half, but bearing in mind the relegation struggle, the needed photographs were the joy and despair at the end of the game.
Leeds Rhinos 10 v 18 Melbourne Storm – Gillette World Club Challenge Cup
I was lucky enough to be at Elland Road (home of Leeds United FC) for this promising tie between two of the world’s best rugby league teams. What a tie it turned out to be! With Rhinos taking the early lead, Storm fought back and easily managed the win in the second half.
