Leek fell just short in a pulsating game against Blackburn at St Edward's Park. It was fifth versus sixth in the Regional 1 North West fixture and a big, physical Blackburn team had clearly come determined to complete the double over their hosts

They tried to bully Leek with powerful running, hitting the rucks hard and recycling the ball quickly. But the Moorlanders rose to the challenge with alacrity and the bumper crowd were treated to a fast-paced game with big hits, no little skill and a host of talking points for the post-match bar debate.

'Burn set about their challenge with purpose and were on the front foot from the kick off. They went ahead with a penalty after five minutes, but Leek responded immediately. The blue and white lineout was misfiring but they looked to have the edge in the scrum and worked their way downfield to force a penalty which James Milan converted.

The visitors were straight back on the front foot and one missed tackle was all it took for them to cross for their first try in the left corner. Leek had a chance to cut the deficit but Milan was unsuccessful from the tee. Another missed tackle in midfield created the space for a second try on the left flank and Blackburn were 3-15 ahead on 25 minutes.

The Lancashire outfit were on a final warning from the referee after three high-tackle penalties, but it was Leek who were first to see yellow after Connor Bassett saw the red mist descend.

Jack Bray then went down with what looked like an ankle injury and the 13-man defence wasn't able to hold out, 'Burn claiming their third try, again in the left corner, to make it 3-20.

But this vintage of blue and white are never down and out. A quick regather from the restart saw Jack Newton-Taylor cross for their first try, Milan converting from wide on the left.
Joe Byrne then saw yellow for a deliberate knock on in midfield, but Bassett returned shortly after and the half finished 10-20.

There was a more purposeful look to the Moorlanders as they started the second half, with replacement Scott Rawlings pulling the strings. They were held up on the line after a period of sustained pressure. Blackburn finally saw yellow for repeated infringements inside the 22 and Milan darted over from close range, converting his own score to make it 17-20.

A moment of madness then cost Leek dear. They had resisted the latest Blackburn surge and were awarded a goal-line dropout. Rather than clearing their line, they went for an audacious kick-pass. 'Burn were alert to it, fielded the ball and crossed the line to claim their bonus point try and stretch their lead to 17-27.

The hosts rallied with another ten minutes of sustained pressure. Oli Powell crossed under the posts from close range, Milan converting to make it a three point game again. Blackburn nearly claimed a fifth, again down the left flank, but were denied by Byrne's last-ditch tackle.

The visitors switched to up-the-jumper rugby, running down the clock in the last few minutes to deny Leek the ball and secure the win.

Another tough day at the office saw Leek 2s go down 44-17 at Wolverhampton. And Leek 3s, having been awarded a five-point walkover win after league opponents Carrington cried off, went down 71-21 in a friend at Barton 2s.