Leeds Carnegie 42 Cornish Pirates 25: Walker looks ready to lead Leeds into bright new era

So it was apt that the Yorkshiremen should end their campaign with an exhilarating bonus-point victory against the same opponents, albeit in an essentially meaningless game.

Leeds’ dreams of an immediate return to the Premiership had died before Saturday’s encounter, but that should take nothing away from a performance dripping with speed, skill and creativity.

They gave their loyal supporters plenty of reasons to cheer on an emotionally fraught afternoon, which saw Leeds bid farewell to 14 players.

Although stalwarts such as Lee Blackett, Scott Barrow and Mike MacDonald will depart Headingley, a talented young nucleus of players will remain, led by openside flanker Chris Walker, the game’s outstanding performer.

The England Under-20s captain’s tireless work-rate and intelligence with the ball in hand underlined his ability and he weighed in with one of Leeds’ five tries.

The playing budget will be slashed at Headingley during the close-season and next season only the top four sides in the Championship will enter the play-offs.

Yet Diccon Edwards, the Carnegie head coach, looked like a man up for the challenge as he assessed the past nine months and prepared to rebuild his squad for next season.

Edwards, holding court on the Headingley turf shortly after the final whistle, said: “It was a great way to end the season, particularly for the senior players who are leaving.

“They’ve been hugely influential figures for the club for a number of years and I couldn’t be more pleased for them.

“The performance showed what we’re all about and where I believe we can get to with a group of players who are committed.

“Unfortunately it’s come at the wrong time for us, but that shouldn’t detract from what was a very good performance.

“It wasn’t that long ago that we went down to Cornish Pirates and lost 52-10 – now we have beaten them 42-25 and we can look forward to next season now.

“Yes, there’s huge disappointment and we’ve under-performed in terms of not making the semi-finals, but it doesn’t mean a lot of things haven’t been good this year.

“We can look forward to next season with a better understanding of the Championship and knowing what type of players we need and knowing what I need to do better.”

It should be remembered that the Pirates were significantly under-strength as they prepared for their play-off semi-final date with Bristol.

Nevertheless, Leeds were vibrant throughout and led after just 40 seconds following Tommy Bell’s fine break inside the right channel.

Leeds worked the ball from right to left as Walker and Richard Beck combined to send Michael Stephenson over from close range.

They claimed their second try in the 12th minute with another delightful handling sequence.

This time Bell and Halani Aulika combined to find Walker and the openside flanker showed intelligence to send the supporting Blackett racing clear for a try which Bell converted.

The Pirates steadied themselves and hit back midway through the first half when winger Rhodri McAtee finished off in the right corner. However, Leeds remained largely in the ascendancy and the impressive Bell kicked another penalty to put them 20-8 up.

Cornish hit back after a line-out on the left flank resulting in a driving maul which saw hooker Rob Elloway burrowing over for a try but Leeds began the second period as they had the first, catching the Pirates cold as Iain Thornley grounded a teasing grubber kick from Bell, who then converted the try.

Walker claimed a well-deserved try in the 54th minute and four minutes later scrum-half Craig Hampson sold a Pirates defender a dummy before scampering over the line.

David Doherty then broke clear down the left flank and raced 60 metres to send replacement Phil Burgess over the line in the corner as Pirates enjoyed some respite.

MacDonald earned rapturous applause after being replaced late on before the visitors then had the final say when replacement Dave Ward ploughed over in the left corner.

Edwards added: “It’s frustrating because, despite the disappointments throughout the season, we have proved we’re good enough to be in the semi-finals and win the competition.

“That’s going to have to live with us for a few months until we start the season again.”

Leeds Carnegie: McColl, Blackett (Lucock 37), Thornley, S Barrow (Davies 65), Stephenson 7, Bell, Hampson (Cliff 65), MacDonald (Aulika 70), Titterrell (Freer 56), Aulika (Mustafa 56), Pendlebury (Williamson 56), Hohneck (D Barrow 20), Beck, Walker, Rowan.

Cornish Pirates: Pointer (Ward 71), McAtee (J Doherty 39), Suniula, Cooper, D Doherty, Penberthy (Thomas 56), Kessell (Hill 55), Storer, Elloway, Brits (Rimmer 74), McGlone, Smith, Ewers (Burgess 56), Marriott (Morgan 71), Maidment.

Referee: R Campbell (Midlands).