Match report: Team Sunderland Rugby Mens defeat Leeds despite late comeback

Sunderland 15-7 Leeds

A fantastic display by skipper Michael Holder as well as four points being converted from the tee by Zach Campbell, delivering again a winning performance for Team Sunderland as they held on to 15-7 to beat Leeds at Hillside View 

With four minutes on the clock, Dean Edmundson provided a great tackle stopping Leeds first breakaway chance to open the scoring for the visitors.

Following a knock-on by Leeds, Team Sunderland were awarded a penalty in the ninth minute of the game.

Captain and second row Holder contested a scrum which resulted in him scoring the first try of the game.

The conversion was struck not so cleanly by Campbell, hitting the post but rifling in powerfully.

With just over 19 minutes played, Team Sunderland were awarded another penalty in which they contested a second scrum – leading to their second try of the game scored yet again by Holder.

The try led to Campbells second conversion of the game, firing the ball high over the bar, Team Sunderland now leading comfortably with the first quarter played. 

Just as Team Sunderland looked like they were going to get the third try of the game a lack of composure struck as Devrim Koca lost possession of the ball with a knock-on in the 25th minute.

With two quarters of the clock gone a third try was scored by Sunderland, however the talking point was the surprising misstrike from Campbell far and wide away of the post, unusual from the young talent.  

20 minutes played after the half-time whistle was how long it took for Leeds to reignite their comeback, a wonderful try from their left winger.

The winger converted the opportunity resulting in Leeds comeback being ignited. 

The comeback was not to be as Sunderland showed defensive quality with the likes of captain Holder and Aaron Harlow-Stephenson showing their prowess at the back.