LEEK v VESEYANS, MATCH REPORT

The 6 tries to 1 victory belied the 2nd half performance of the visitors but their lack of clinical finishing was in stark contrast to the
Moorlanders’ finishing and with 3 late tries boosting the score, Leek goes into the Intermediate Cup game this week growing in confidence.

Ed Harrison’s unavailability meant Andy Thompson started at lock and Reece Milner came onto the blindside flank.
Luke Hardern was back and on the bench, otherwise Leek was unchanged as the game kicked off on a perfect autumnal afternoon
with a good crowd in, anticipating some great rugby.
Leek was soon into gear and dominated the opening 5 minutes and following a lineout midway inside the Vs half on the left a driving maul
lead to a penalty. Joel Booth took it quickly and the alert Gary McDermott sidestepped past his man and scored a neat try on the left.
The fly half then converted his own try to hand Leek a great start at 7-0.

The lead was cut on 12 minutes when Vs won a penalty for offside and the well struck kick reduced the Leek lead to 7-3.
As the 1st quarter came to an end McDermott hit a long range penalty over to restore the 7 point lead at 10-3 as the Vs backs were
caught offside at the lineout.

Vs came back strongly and won another penalty on 28 minutes kicking for the corner lineout but Leek’s resolute defence turned the ball over.
Nevertheless Vs still enjoyed possession and territory as Leek infringed but on 37 minutes Leek’s venture upfield led to a lineout on the right outside the visitor’s 22.
A couple of rucks back towards the forwards then left the backs to pass wide left. Winger Dan Sharratt then hoisted a clever kick down the line
and with the defence unable to handle the rolling ball, the youngster dotted down for his 3rd try of the season.
McDermott couldn’t convert but Leek increased their lead to 15-3.
8 minutes of overtime was played at the end of the half following a few knocks but no further score. 15-3.

The 2nd half opened dramatically with Leek receiving the kick off and scoring from it.
Movement left and then right as they crossed the halfway allowed space for Sam Hunt to zigzag his way almost to the Vs line. A quick ruck had Joel Booth picking up
and crashing over for a stunning try in the first minute of the half. McDermott’s conversion followed and at 22-3, the Moorlanders were looking for their bonus point try.

However, events conspired against Leek as Ed Cheadle was yellow carded for a cynical offside as the Vs attacked on 44 minutes. Vs pressured Leek for the next 20
minutes but solid defence and then some luck with a final pass going to ground had the frustrated Vs wondering how they were going to score against a
spirited rearguard. Well finally it did happen on 68 minutes when a determined run from the Vs centre saw him score a deserved try on the left following
good ball retention on the right after sucking the defence in. The conversion was missed but at 22-8, the game was not over by any means.

Then on 74 minutes, Vs had a centre yellow carded for pulling back a player not in possession as Leek poured on the pressure with some flowing movement.
McDermott’s kick for a 5 metre lineout then produced a penalty for dragging the maul down and then another penalty under the Vs posts for not releasing
in the tackle. Several charges at the line resulted in the defence unable to cope with skipper Bobby Cheadle’s burrowing dive for the line as Leek won their bonus point try.
McDermott converted as the 77th minute past and at 29-8 there was no way back for the visitors now.

4 minutes later and from a quick lineout on their own 22, Leek’s backs threw the ball wide right for Matt Leadingham to get into some space. The right wing offloaded,
just over half way, in the tackle and man of the match scrum half, Ollie Drew, sprinted in with 3 defenders surrounding him but none able to stop the youngster
powering over for a great try. McDermott converted and it was 34-8 on 81 minutes.

Still time for one more score on 84 minutes as Leek won a penalty and kicked for the 5 metre lineout. The forwards set up a couple of rucks before the ball passed
blindside for Luke Hardern to crash over for Leek’s 6th try. McDermott’s 4th conversion confirmed a 41-8 win.

Other Midlands 2 West (N) results.

Kidderminster 19 – 34 Camp Hill
Newcastle 3 – 18 Tamworth
Old Saltleians 15 – 27 Stourbridge Lions
Old Yardleians 24 – 22 Stafford
Shrewsbury 0 – 46 Walsall

This week, Leek is playing in the Intermediate Cup 1st round.
It is against Matlock away – kick off 3pm.

The next league match is on October 1st with an away trip to Camp Hill.
The next league game at home is on October 8th when Kidderminster visit EsterChem Park.