Ross kicks Tykes to victory

Leeds 21 Perpignan 20

The Tykes required Gordon Ross’ dramatic retaken conversion, which ended up being the last kick of the game, to defeat the French giants at Headingley.

Ross’ first attempt, which followed Gordon Bulloch’s injury-time try, floated wide but Welsh referee Nigel Owens ordered the conversion to be retaken because a number of Perpignan players had been shouting at the Scot as they were charging to block the kick.

Ross made no mistake with his second attempt, which gave Leeds a win which breathes new hope into their Heineken Cup campaign.

Davies, however, preferred to gloss over the late controversy and chose to praise his team, who overturned a nine-point deficit in the final eight minutes.

“The referee said they were charging too early and screaming, but I don’t know,” said the Welshman, who saw Roland De Marigny score his side’s other try.

“Apart from the win, we can take a lot out of the game. We played quite well in terms of creating chances but there are quite a few things we can learn from them in terms of tactics in the Heineken Cup.

The Tykes have the return fixture against Perpignan at the Stade Aime Giral next weekend to look forward to and, considering the controversial nature of this win, Davies believes that clash will provide the acid test for his players.

“I am sure it will be a tough game,” he added. “The physicality confronting us next Saturday will be pretty ferocious to say the least.”

LEEDS: De Marigny, Snyman, Vickerman, Jones, Doherty, Marshall, Ross, Cusack, Rawlinson, Gerber, Hooper, Palmer, Dunbar, Parks, Crane.

Replacements: Biggs for De Marigny (40), Bell for Jones (67), Care for Marshall (67), Kerr for Cusack (70), Bulloch for Rawlinson (70), Morgan for Dunbar (67), Thomas for Crane (67). PERPIGNAN: Edmonds, Bomati, Manas, Grandclaude, Cermeno, Durand, N. Laharrague, Freshwater, Konieck, Mas, Gaston, Hines, Le Corvec, Goutta, Robertson.

Replacements: Debaty for Freshwater (72), Tincu for Konieck (52), Vaki for Gaston (67), Porcu for Le Corvec (67), Tonita for Goutta (72). Not Used: Dupuy, Dawai-Naulu.

Referee: Nigel Owens (WRFU).