Leeds took a massive step towards safety with a last minute victory over Newcastle Falcons on Saturday afternoon.
Newcastle coach Alan Tait made 5 changes to the side that were convincingly beaten by Gloucester last week. Jeremy Manning returned at full back after a month out, with Alex Tait switching to the wing.
The Falcons were also boosted by the return of top try scorer Luke Fielden who started 14. Tim Swinson replaced injured captain James Hudson in the pack, where he was joined by Andrew Van Der Heijden and Jonny Golding.
Leeds were able to name the same 23 man squad that overcame Exeter last week despite injury concerns regarding captain Marco Wentzel.
In a game that was billed by many as the relegation decider, it was Newcastle who started the brighter and took the lead through a try from the lively Micky Young. Stand-in skipper Jimmy Gopperth kicked the extras to put Falcons 7-0 up.
It didn't take long for Leeds to respond however, when Carnegie captain Steve Thompson bundled over after some good forward work. Fly-Half Jarvis was on hand to add the extra 2 points.
Gopperth put Newcastle back into the lead through a penalty, before Leeds' indiscipline was punished once again which allowed Falcons to extend their lead to 13-7.
With half-time approaching, the relatively dull spectacle became slightly more lively when Young once again broke through and had the presence of mind to move the ball left, where it eventually fell to full-back Manning who, despite having a man outside, took it on himself and crashed over. Gopperth made it 20-7.
Directly from the kick-off Andy Van Der Heijden knocked on and in doing so gave Leeds a strong attacking platform. From the scrum, Leeds were awarded a penalty after Newcastle forward were once again found guilty of bringing the scrum down. Jarvis could only strike the post though, and with that the half looked to be over.
After Falcons failed to clear their lines, Leeds were awarded another penalty as their pressure finally began to tell. Only good covering work from Luke Fielden prevented a Carnegie try in the corner but they didn't have to wait too long to register again.
Newcastle had yet another chance to put the ball into touch and in doing so the half time whistle would blow. The home side gifted possession back to Leeds however and the ball was quickly transferred to Peter Wackett who was allowed to scamper through despite a suspiciously looking forward pass. Jarvis converted to send the teams in for the break with the game wide open at 20-14.
In a second half that was played in a nervous manner, it was Leeds who struck first through another Jarvis penalty and then slack Falcons defence allowed prop Hardy to bundle over to put Leeds ahead for the first time in the game. After Jarvis extended Carnegie's lead, the scores were finely poised at 20-24 going into the final half hour.
Successive penalties from Gopperth put the home side back in the lead though as the relegation decider came down to a kicking contest.
Henry Fourie then had a chance to cross for Leeds but was held up just short of the line. The Yorkishire outfit had no intentions of leaving the Falcons' 22 scoreless though, and the ball was fired back to Jarvis who slotted his first of 2 drop goals to leave the scores at 26-27.
Newcastle hit back in the first minute of stoppage time through a 40 metre Gopperth penalty, but this was destined to be Jarvis' day.
After Leeds ran the clock down, wanting Jarvis' attempt at goal to be the last kick of the game, he once again slotted over with just 90 seconds remaining. Falcons didn't regain the ball after that and the full time whistle blew at 29-30, giving Leeds their second victory on the bounce at Kingston Park.
The result leaves Newcastle looking desperate as they sank to the foot of the premiership table for the first time in 8 years. With home ties against in-form sides Northampton and Leicester to come, followed by a last day trip to Bath, relegation is looking increasingly likely for the Falcons unless a minor miracle can be performed.
