One of the most memorable tackles I have ever seen up close happened on a bright, sunny afternoon at Headingley.
It was a pretty uneventful game between Leeds and Widnes, a team that was high on our most disliked list then. We were standing in our usual position in the Paddock, near the Leeds bench, as the players ran back out for the second half.
One of the last to emerge was Craig Innes, our tough tackling Kiwi centre who was one of the best-looking in the side, who proceeded to throw up on the touchline having obviously had too much water in the dressing room during the break, in full view of us. It didn’t seem to bother him too much, he just jogged on and took up his place but I remember thinking that that was all we needed, a team that tackles when it feels like it and a star player with food poisoning. The trainers did their best to cover the offending area with sand and the match kicked off again. Soon afterwards, Widnes centre Andy Currier, one of our least favourite players, ran towards us with the ball under his arm and heading for the line.
Innes somehow appeared out of nowhere, pulled him to the floor by his ankles and slid him into touch unbelievably through the sandy mess he had created.
We howled with laughter as he dusted himself down and had the perfect excuse to continue heckling him throughout the rest of the afternoon. It was worth the admission fee just to see his face when he got up and realised what had happened.
Lyn Belvedere
Originally published in 'Headingley Rugby Voices' Recollections of supporters, compiled by Phil Caplan.
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Memory added on September 19, 2012
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