Leek edged a close contest against visiting Rochdale, running out 19-14 wins in a real game of two halves.

The Moorlanders started brightly and bossed the early exchanges, aided by two yellow cards for Dale for high tackles. They scored after ten minutes, returning winger Alex Fitzmaurice-James crossing the line after an extended period of Leek pressure. Joe Byrne converted.

The Blues continued to dominate both territory and possession and had the upper hand in the scrums, but a few loose lineouts and a touch of white line fever prevented them from adding to the score in the first period, with too many players trying to go on their own through a melee of players when there was space out wide.

Leek finally extended their lead early in the second period, Sam Brereton taking the pass from Byrne after a break down the left flank to score in the corner.

But Rochdale were looking lively, and reduced the deficit when their standout wing forward tiptoed through four would-be Leek tacklers to score under the posts.

Fitz claimed his second, converted by Byrne from the five metre line, after a brilliant catch under pressure from a cross-field kick. But instead of Leek pushing on for the bonus point score, it was Dale who upped their game and began to dominate.

They got their reward with a second try late on, well converted from out on the left. However, there was no time left for an unlikely comeback and the Moorlanders took the win.

Leek 2s were ahead at the half against Luctonians. They conceded early, but tries from Dexter Bales, Harry Byrne and Josh Ballance, plus two Ethan Newton-Taylor conversions, gave them a 7-19 lead at the break. Four second half tries for the hosts secured the win and the Blues return to St Edward's Park empty-handed.

The 3s bounced back from their disappointing home loss to Knutsford with a 44-0 win on the road at Wythenshawe.