9 Try Performance Retains Top Spot

Saturday 26th November 2022

Regional 2 North Midlands

Leek RFC 61

Oadby Wyggestonian RFC 07

Following a rest week, Leek resumed their Regional 2 North Midlands campaign by welcoming Oadby Wyggestonian RFC of Leicester to Esterchem Park, for the first meeting between the two clubs.
This fixture marked the half-way point of the league season. The Moorlander's fielded a front row of Lee Williams, Ollie Powell and Joe Newton-Taylor, with Joel Hine & Luke Harden at lock, Billy Kidd & George Hunt (Capt) were on the flanks with Reece Milner at No 8. Liam McDermott returned at Scrum Half partnering Rob McDermott at Fly half, Will Midwinter moved to Inside center with Josh Nadin at Outside center. Sam Brereton & Joe Byrne were the wingers with Jack Newton-Taylor at Fullback. Jacob Armstong-Bainbridge, Joe Gorman & Tom Scragg were the substitutes.

Leek took the kick off in dull dry conditions. Two early tries from Joe Byrne & Josh Nadin, both converted by Midwinter giving the home side a comfortable lead in the opening 10 minutes. Oadby Wyggs gathered themselves and pushed the home side back into their own half where on 20 mins Joe Newton-Taylor received a yellow card for a no arms tackle. 3 minutes later Rob McDermott followed him to the sin bin receiving a yellow card for a team offence after a series of penalties were awarded against Leek. The home side battled hard in defence to hold a resurgent OW side at bay despite relentless pressure on the Leek 5 mtr line. Unfortunately, the home side continued to concede penalties and on 29 minutes Jack Newton-Taylor also received a yellow card for not releasing, resulting in Leek being reduced to 12 men. The continual pressure told on the depleted blue defence and on 30 minutes the OW scrum half shot through a gap to score a try which was converted 14-7. Leek restarted the game back up to 13 men as Joe Newton-Taylor completed his punishment, within 3 minutes Byrne had scored in the corner and 4 minutes later, after McDermott had returned from the sin bin, a Leek lineout on the OW 22 metre line gave the Staffordshire sides pack the opportunity to maul the ball over the OW try line with Joe Newton-Taylor claiming the try, Midwinter converted both scores as Leek closed the half sealing the try bonus point and the score stood at 28-7.

In the second period the home side were back up to the full contingent of 15 players and from the Oadby Wyggs kick off Jack Newton-Taylor rose to claim the ball while he was in the air, he was tackled by an OW player who received a yellow card. Oadby Wyggs were now reduced to 14 men but within 3 minutes so were Leek, as Liam McDermott received a yellow card for standing an opposition player, so the game restarted 14 aside. The blue boys began to take control of proceedings dominating possession, within a minute Jack Newton-Taylor was sprinting over the try line to score, less than 5 minutes later Armstrong-Bainbridge bludgeoned his way over the OW line to score following a number of powerful phases from the Leek forwards, Midwinter converted both tries 42-7 with 49 minutes played. The referee was having a busy afternoon as he issued the 6th yellow card of the day, this time to the OW inside centre for a high tackle, once again the visitors were down to 14 men. Gaps now began to open up, Rob McDermott launched a cross field kick that Jack Newton-Taylor expertly caught to score right in the corner. Midwinter kicked his 7th conversion of the day 49-7 with 56 minutes played. Jack Newton-Taylor completed his hat trick on 72 minutes as the Leek back line moved the ball wide and the full back scored close to the posts, Rob McDermott kicked the conversion. The final try the 9th of the day went to Joe Byrne as he completed his hat trick with a skilful chip over the defence which he gathered and sprinted down the wing to score in the corner on 80 minutes, the conversion was missed, and the game ended 61-7.

This dominant display sees Leek retain top spot on 44 points, Melbourne are 2nd on 41 points level with Long Eaton, Sutton Coldfield are 4th on 40 points.
Leek travel to Leicester to face Belgrave next Saturday before returning to EsterChem park on Saturday 10th December when they will face Sutton Coldfield.