Warriors 2 defeated by Bradford Cannibals

Leeds Warriors 2 made the short trip west for a game against the Bradford Cannibals on Saturday night.

Before the game the Warriors learned that they’d be without their coach Darren Wilson due to a back injury, meaning Warriors 1 Alternate Captain, Andy Giles stepped in as bench coach. The team were also without two of their defenders who also had to pull out, meaning they’d be icing only four “D”.

Despite this, the team got off to a great start, going ahead 1-0 within the first 30 seconds of the game through Kristaps Savickis, unassisted.

The rest of a well-fought first period saw the teams trading goals back and forth, for a score of 5-4 to the Cannibals at the break. Captain Niku Ghaemi (unassisted), Jeff Hardy (from Savickis), and Simon Morrow (also from Savickis) were the Warriors’ scorers.

The second period started well with the Warriors levelling the score at 5-5 on a rebound goal from Ken Kobayashi, again assisted from Savickis.

However the Cannibals bagged the next two goals to make the score 7-5 to Bradford after 40 minutes.

The third period started with a power play for the Warriors and a chance to get back within one goal. However it unfortunately went the other way as the Cannibals scored a shorthanded goal to make it 8-5.

Despite a second goal from Savickis, his 5th point of the night, there was no way back for the Warriors as Bradford took advantage of Leeds pushing for goals late in the period, grabbing two more to make the final score 10-6.

The game was evenly matched and well-fought. Special mention should go to the depleted Warriors defence – Jeff Hardy, Sarah Wilson, Josh Brindley, and Luke Newbiggin – who didn’t complain and battled through many tough, long shifts. And to “Player of the Game” for the Warriors, goalie Ben Cohen, who kept the team in the game at times and stayed in net despite taking a slap-shot to the chin in the third period.

Overall this was a very positive performance from the Warriors, especially given the adversity of being without their coach and short on 'D'.

Ben Cohen

Warriors 2 player of the game