4th Consecutive Win - Takes the Moorlander's To The Summit

Regional 2 North Midlands

12th November 2022

Nuneaton Old Edwardians 19

Leek 24

The Moorlanders won their 4th league match in a row to find themselves at the top of the table following a 3rd defeat in 4 for long time leaders Long Eaton on Saturday.
With several players remaining unavailable through suspension and injury, Leek still managed to field a strong squad with youth and experience.

Dan Needham returned to partner Will Midwinter at half back. Adam Varley and Josh Nadin teamed up in the centre and with Joe Byrne returning to full back with Jack Newton Taylor and Sam Brereton on the wings.
Oli Powell moved to hooker in the absence of skipper Ed Cheadle partnering Lee Williams and Joe Newton Taylor in the front row.
Ben Barlow came in at lock with Joel Hine. George Hunt took over the captain’s armband on the flank with Billy Kidd and Reece Milner making up the back row.
Leek retained a strong bench in Jacob Armstrong Bainbridge, Joe Gorman and Tom Scragg.

On a glorious day for rugby on a good pitch, it took 27 minutes for the opening score which went to the home side (NOE) and with the conversion they led 7-0.
Leek hit straight back and from a sustained piece of pressure Jack Newton Taylor went over in the corner for the first of his hat trick of tries. Will Midwinter missed the conversion but the lead was reduced to 7-5.
From the kick off though, Leek took the lead for the first time as Jack Newton Taylor mesmerised the defence to score in the corner again. The conversion missed but the half time whistle blew with Leek now leading 7-10.
7 minutes in the 2nd half and NOE retook the lead with their 2nd try which went unconverted at 12-10.
With 54 minutes on the clock, Joe Byrne got back to his try scoring ways with Leek’s 3rd try in range for Will Midwinter to successfully kick the conversion to take the Moorlanders back into the lead at 12-17.
The next phases were important as the game reached the final quarter and it was Jack Newton Taylor again getting Leek’s 4th and bonus point try and with Midwinter’s successful conversion Leek had stretched to 12-24 with 20 minutes to go.
NOE plugged away and Leek had to defend for the larger part of the quarter with the home side scoring a deserved try in added time. With the successful conversion it also brought them a losing point as the score narrowed to 19-24.
Leek held out then to take this important win.

A tough game on the road but Leek’s excellent away form continued as they registered their 5th win in 6 games on the road.
The Long Eaton defeat and Melbourne’s home draw with Newark saw Leek and Sutton Coldfield move above the 2 NLD sides.
Leek (39 points) reached their highest ever league position and stand 1 point clear of Sutton Coldfield (38). Melbourne and Long Eaton are both on 36 points.

There is a week off on November 19th before the league resumes on November 26th with the last game of the first half of the season in this condensed league season.
Leek will welcome Leicestershire side, Oadby Wyggestonians, to Esterchem Park for a first ever encounter. The free scoring visitors are the highest points scorers in the league so it will be a fascinating encounter against Leek which has conceded the least.
Oadby currently lies 5th, so please get down to the club for what is sure to be a great game.