DUDLEY KINGS v LEEK, MATCH REPORT

Leek travelled to Dudley Kingswinford for the first meeting of the 2 clubs in the league. Dudley were relegated last season but have always been playing at a much higher standard in the leagues.
The weather was dry but a strong wind blowing into Leek's faces meant at Leek had to work hard to attack with the ball and not kick it away.

For the most part of the half Leek did this and after 5minutes were counterattacking from a loose pass for Dan Sharratt to chip behind the fullback and pick up and score a good try which Leek deserved 0-5
Then after 3 scrums near Leek's line DK kicked a penalty for not binding 3-5. Leek kept running the ball against the wind and caused lots of problems for DK but no scores came
On 25 minutes DK kicked to Leek 22 and a strong break by the centre allowed him to crash over for the first of his 5 tries which was converted 10-5

Leek continued to attack but a breakdown gave the ball back to DK who ran deep into Leek's 22 and again the centre Shillingford powered over the line for another converted try 17-5. Leek continued to put pressure on DK with Jack Conlon and the forwards running hard and supporting any back moves but failed to convert any chances leaving the score at half time 17-5
With the strong wind behind them in the second half Leek thought that they were in with a chance to see some reward for their first half efforts. Unfortunately that was not to be the case as DK turned up the power and ran Leek ragged by scoring 8 tries .
After 3 mins the centre scored from a breakaway to make the score 22-5 then Gary McDermott was yellow carded for a high tackle. We then saw the DK Hooker score twice and the flanker score a simple try as Leek were under pressure in their in goal area. These scores took the total to 41-5 and Leek were hanging on but finding life difficult against some big powerful backs. McDermott came back on and Jack Winfield took Dean Copperwheat's place. Soon after the home team turned the ball over an the DK centre beat several tackles to run from his own half to score again 46-5

After the DK fullback was yellow carded for illegally stopping a good Leek attack near his line. The penalty saw Leek close to a score but they soon lost possession and the DK scrum half scored at the other end 51-5. Soon after the centre scored his 5th try from a tap penalty 56-5 and a lineout followed by a rolling maul saw DK go over for the tenth try and with conversion made 63-5.
The whistle went shortly after a fracas amongst the forwards with Leek still trying to contest for the ball.
At the end of a game of two distinct halves not affected by the strong wind Leek will look back on a good first half but a difficult second half coping with a powerful set of backs.

Home games for the next 2 weeks see Leek finish the first half of their matches against Herefordnext Saturday followed by the first return fixture against Worcester Wanderers on Dec 19. Both games kick off at 2.15pm

Also do not forget that the Christmas Bonfire Party will be on Sunday 13th Dec. Open at 6.30 with bonfire at 7pm