Leek 17 vs 24 Litchfield 17/01/2009

Leek 2nds 17 Lichfield 2nd 24

In recent years the Leek, Lichfield fixture has always been hotley contested and Saturdays game proved to be no different. The Leek side fielded a good blend of youth and experience and hopes were high. However, Lichfield came out of the starting blocks quicker than Leek. They played with discipline and employed a game plan that nullified Leeks attempts to work the ball up field via the forwards. The Leek pack found it difficult to recycle the ball without overcommiting themselves to the break-downs. Too often the Leek forwards found themselves overstretched and losing possession.

Lichfield were quick to capitalize on any turnover ball and after 15 minutes their backs moved the ball swiftly down the three quarters. The full back came into the line, scissored with the winger, who raced through the gap to score.

Leek then began to show a little more shape but too often gave away penalties at vital moments. Two such indiscretions by Reaney, resulted in two converted penalties putting Lichfield in front 13-0. Drew at scrum half, then started to fire up his forwards and Woodcock, Capper and Thomas started driving the ball forwards releasing some good ball to the Leek backs. Mudd, at stand off, linked well with Williams who proved to be a handful for the opposition. As the half closed, Leek pressure paid off when Granger, Wood and Capper drove to the Lichfield line. Well recycled ball left Wooloff with plenty to do but he was up to the task and scored in the corner. Leek would have felt happy finishing the half at 13-5 down but ill discipline from Reaney gave Lichfield another penalties and 3 more points. Moments before the half ended, a well worked move by the Lichfield backs left Palmer and Potts red faced as Lichfield scored under the posts eding the half 21-5 in front.

Evans, Cope and Williams come on at half time and at last the Leek pack began to play with the determination and discipline had been lacking in the first half. Drew and Wood began to link well at the back of the scrums whilst Granger and Cope were a constant threat in both attack and defence. The introduction of Dan Cooper further added to Leeks attack up front. Leek pushed drove on via the forwards until they were on the Lichfield line. Some excellent recycled ball allowed Leek to spread the Lichfield defence creating space for Capper to score in the corner.

The second half saw Leek dominant in both territory and possession. Patient pressure saw Leek with a scrum 10 yards from the Lichfield line. A fine move between Wood and Mudd saw Mudd held up illegally inches from the Lichfield line. The referee awarded Leek a penalty try which Mudd converted putting Leek within 3 points of Lichfield . With 5 minutes of the game remaining, Leek pressed hard for the win. A rare foray into the Leek half saw Reaney give away a senseless penalty, 3 points and the game. In conclusion, if Leek could have showed more discipline they could and should have won the game. Despite that, it was a good overall performance against one of the toughest opponents in the league.
Author Chris Mudd