Best performance of the season by Under 18 girls

Leek 17 Mansfield 12

Mansfield traveled to Leek for a friendly on a beautiful sunny afternoon. Mansfield are through to the National Semi-finals next weekend and fielded 2 England players so this was always going to be a tough fixture for Leek.

Leek started well playing good phased rugby and it took sustained pressure to eventually break the Mansfield line to go 7 points up. Mansfield then came back at Leek and Leek struggled to get hands on the ball. A real tousle up front before Mansfield equalised to go 7-7.

The second half kicked off and Leek again went through the phases with some great runs from the forwards (Maddie, Lotty, Morgan, Millie all making great breaks), before Leek passed the ball through the backs hands. Some great running lines from Abbey cutting back against the flow of the game made great yardage with Jenny going over for Leek's second try.

Mansfield again came back at Leek, crossing for their second try through some direct running up the middle of the park.

Leeks scrums were really strong during the game with the front 5 all fronting up against a bigger pack ( well done to Maddie, Ava, Evie, Grace, Danny, and Charlie, Lotty and Sammy). , and the line outs became a real weapon for Leek with excellent returns from Katie.

Leek again came back at Mansfield with a mix of forwards and backs running lines up the midfield, with excellent support play and recycling of the ball by the back row of Morgan, Katie and Millie resulting in a 3rd try in the corner. Leek held out against Mansfiled pressure for the final 10 mins with Mansfield camped in Leeks 22 but unable to convert the pressure into points. With a strong final scrum Leek were able to finish the game as winners.

Well done to all the players - a real team performance today with all playing their part and mixing up the running lines so Mansfield were kept guessing where it was going next.

Tries - Abbey, Jenny, Morgan
Cons - Holly x 1
MoTM - Jenny