Leek’s front five remained the same as last week with Bobby Cheadle, Ed Cheadle and Lee Williams in the front row and Harvey Bullman and Ben Barlow at lock.
The back row saw Ollie Powell return on the flank with Joel Hine at No.8 and George Hunt on the open side.
Liam McDermott and Will Midwinter were at half back. In the centre, Adam Varley made a return at 13 partnering Rob McDermott. Sam Brereton, Tom Scragg and Joe Byrne made up the back 3.
Joel Booth, Joe Newton Taylor and Sam Lloyd were on the bench.

The Lions arrived with 17 players after a morning struggling to ensure a front row was available and it showed from the first scrum as the experienced Leek pack dominated the set piece. From a scrum penalty Leek fashioned another penalty for not binding and Will Midwinter kicked the first points on 5 minutes. 3-0.
The first try came on 10 minutes after a clearance kick only found Joe Byrne. The elusive full back sprinted into the Lions half linked with the forwards and the drive continued to the line where Adam Varley crashed over on the left. Will Midwinter kicked a superb conversion and Leek led 10-0.

From the kick-off, The Lions retained possession and forced a penalty themselves for not releasing in the tackle. The penalty was successful, and Stourbridge were on the scoreboard at 10-3 after 14 minutes.
After a couple of near misses for Leek, the next score came after 26 minutes when Bobby Cheadle scored after a great break from Ollie Powell. He set up the first ruck, then after a penalty for offside a quick tap allowed Cheadle to crash over. Midwinter converted and Leek extended to 17-3.
On 35 minutes, Will Midwinter scored a superb try after Tom Scragg and Adam Varley combined and with Powell in support again, it gave Leek’s fly half the opportunity to show his pace and guile with a superb 30 metre run try. He converted and Leek were up to 24-3 as half time came.

7 minutes into the 2nd period and Will Midwinter scored his 2nd try as he beat 4 defenders in a mesmerising run from mid Lions half. He converted and Leek had secured the try bonus point and led 29-3.
The next score on 54 minutes came from one of the outstanding forwards of the day, lock Harvey Bullman, whose carries gave Leek such forward momentum. This time he popped up after another clearance kick from the Lions allowed Byrne and Scragg to combine and then after a great carry by fellow lock Ben Barlow, Bullman crashed over for the 5th try. The conversion was good and Leek led 36-3.
At this point, the visitors were facing an overwhelming task but it is fair to say they had competed strongly in every phase, never giving up and trying to play attacking rugby when they had the ball and deservedly they scored the next 2 tries.
On 58 minutes, Leek lost their lineout and after some good phases and passing the centre’s pace took him past defenders to score by the posts. The conversion was good. 36-10.

6 minutes later and the 2nd try came after a cross field kick from the fly half found the right wing in space. His inside pass found the centre whose run from just inside his own half took him to Leek’s 5 metre line. Good support and a try was scored by the posts. The conversion was good and suddenly the Lions were eyeing a try bonus point at 36-15 with 15 minutes to go.
However, Leek steadied the ship and scored 4 more tries in the last 11 minutes through Ollie Powell, Will Midwinter securing his hattrick of tries, Tom Scragg and finally Liam McDermott with Will Midwinter converting the first 3 of those tries to complete the scoring at 62-15.

It had been a tough game in the rain and diminishing light but Leek displayed some fantastic handling and control in the loose against a resilient Lions side which never gave up.
Referee Paul Daniels controlled the game well as all players stayed disciplined and focussed and he is to be congratulated on a great performance.

The win kept Leek (41 points, 9 played) one point clear of Walsall (40 points, 10 played) and a game in hand, as they won 83-0 at home to Uttoxeter. Moseley Oak (36 points, 10 played) maintained 3rd with a strong win at home to Newcastle and Camp Hill (32 points, 9 played) retained 4th with a close win at home to Tamworth. Longton beat Old Salts and the mid table clash at Crewe saw the home side beat Stafford 20-8 and the final game of 2021 sees the Moorlanders travelling to Coopers Field for the 1st time ever to play Stafford this Saturday on their all-weather pitch.
This match doubles up as a league and Staffordshire Intermediate Cup quarter final game with both sides left in the Midlands Cup meaning free Saturdays are now at a premium.
Kick off is at 2.15pm and will conclude the league programme for 2021, so please come and support the boys as they close out the first half of the season.

The committee wishes all club members, family and friends a Happy Christmas and a safe and peaceful New Year.

Author John McDermott