After a difficult start to the season and then a series of one-score defeats, the Moorlanders followed up their first win of the season last time out at Birkhenhead Park with a five-try win over Penrith at Altrad Park.

It was a tight affair to start with, Leek first on the board with a penalty after ten minutes. A second followed soon after and a kick from halfway on 22 minutes stretched the lead to 9-0, Will Midwinter kicked all 3.

The first try came shortly afterwards, a crossfield kick pass from Joe Byrne finding Kin Critchlow on the wing. He beat his man and kicked through, and the chasing Tom Hayes collected and scored.

Penrith responded minutes later, but a score from skipper Joe Newton-Taylor saw the blue and whites to a 23-7 half-time lead.

The visitors upped the pressure in the second period, but resolute defence kept them out. A break from deep in the Leek half saw the Moorlanders move the ball up to the visitors' 22. A quick tap and go from a penalty saw the ball moved out to Critchlow, who crossed out wide for the score.

A Will Midwinter try secured the bonus point, and he quickly followed it up with another, chasing a chip through from Rob McDermott. A yellow card for Luke Hardern and a late try for Penrith could not take the shine off a great performance from the hosts, a 40-14 win giving a big home crowd some Yuletide cheer on a damp day.

The good news continued as the 2nd XV shut out Stone in their latest impressive road victory. Two first-half tries from fly half Jay Wilkinson, both of which he converted, and another from Conlon Newton-Taylor saw the Moorlanders claim a 0-19 lead at the break. Further scores from Harry Byrne, Matt McLaughlin and another from Conlon made it 38-0 at the final whistle.