.A bright sunny day offered the perfect conditions for a game of open running rugby and the Moorlanders team for the day consisted of a front row of Lee Williams, Eddie Cheadle (Capt) and Bobby Cheadle. Joel Hine & Joel Booth (Head Coach) were the locks with Luke Staton and Billy Kidd on the flanks and Ollie Powell at No 8. Liam McDermott and Will Midwinter were the half back pairing, Rob McDermott and James Floyd started as the centres. Sam Brereton and Jack Newton Taylor were on the wings with Joe Byrne at Full back.
Luke Hardern, Ben Barlow and Jack Fryer made up the bench.
Straight from the off Leek dominated proceedings running in 9 first half tries, 1 each for Rob McDermott, Will Midwinter, Bobby Cheadle, Joe Byrne & Sam Brereton with James Floyd & Jack Newton Taylor both grabbing a brace. Midwinter added 7 conversions. Old Salts were rewarded with a converted try right at the end of the half giving a half time score 59-7.

The second half followed the same pattern with Old Salts having no answer to the Moorlanders brand of aggressive fast flowing rugby. The home side added a further 10 tries, 2 each for Sam Brereton, Jack Newton Taylor and Joe Byrne. Billy Kidd and Ben Barlow each scored a single try with debutant Jack Fryer scoring twice on his debut 1st XV appearance which also earned the youngster the Man of the match award. Conversions from Midwinter (5), Jack Newton Taylor (1) and Byrne (2) completed the scoring at 125-7.
Credit must be given to Old Salts who persevered throughout the game going down to 14 men through injury mid way through the second half.

With Walsall beating Moseley Oak 25-19 but not picking up the bonus point, Leek extended their lead to 8 points with 87 points. 2nd placed Walsall moved to 79 points and 3rd place Moseley Oak are on 66 points.

This weekend sees the Moorlanders travelling to Stourbridge Lions. Please come and support the squad as they close out the season with 3 matches to go.
The final league home game of the season is against Stafford on 9th April and there will also be a Gin Festival at the club on the same day.
The final game of the league season is an away trip to Tamworth on 23rd April.

Then there is one more game to savour as Leek and Walsall meet in the final of the Staffordshire intermediate Cup Final on Sunday 1st May at Burton. There is a coach organised so please contact Mark Hardern to book your place

Authors John McDermott & Marcus Midwinter