Leek/Longton u14s travelled to Nottingham Casuals Rugby Club this Sunday to take part in finals day of the Nottw/Leics/Derbys cup alongside Loughborough RFC, who they have teamed up with this season (making up LLL).

In the semi-final vs Mansfield, LLL started strongly, racing in to a 14-0 lead. Mansfield re-grouped and came back strongly, levelling the match. LLL were playing really well with some fantastic carries by Jess and Celia backed up by impressive tackling across the whole line. Delilah from Loughborough also made some very strong runs, carrying the game to Mansfield.

After the break, Mansfield’s cohesion showed through with their 12 causing damage in the centre before offloading to the backs. Final score 28-14 to Mansfield with them progressing to the final.

In the third place match LLL were up against Newark, a team that had beaten them in the group stages in a close contest. LLL started strongly again before Newark came back to make it 14-5!

With the parents and coaches getting nervous, LLL dug in and more fantastic running from the forwards led to another try. This was followed by Morgan bursting through as well as Celia scoring from a penalty in the corner. Final score LLL 33 – Newark 5, and a third place finish in the NLD Cup!

A fantastic competition with the opportunity for our girls to play against some decent sides, acquitting themselves extremely well.

Attention turns to the Staffs Cup competition this weekend with a crunch tie against Burton! Best of luck to the girls for that one!