Leopards narrowly miss out to Newcastle.

Leek Under 16's welcomed Newcastle Under Lyme RUFC's U16's to Altrad Park for a League Division 1 fixture. The game is always a physical and competitive encounter and so it turned out to be.

Both teams got stuck into the game from the off with possession going back and forth for the opening 10 minutes before ether team made the score sheet. Newcastle were the first to strike with a powerful drive for the line on the Leek blindside opening the scoring, conversion missed, 0-5 Newcastle. Play recommenced and was well contested in the forwards with scrums and the breakdown yielding success for both teams. Newcastle again capitalised on thier possession running in a further try, conversion missed 0-10 Newcastle.

Leek knew that there was nothing in between the two teams although the scoreboard showed it different. They dug in and redoubled their efforts and were rewarded with a try following a series of good phases of possession before Leeks number 8 and Captain on the day, Powell, drove for the line forcing the ball down to open Leeks account, conversion missed 5-10 Leek.

Momentum felt to have shifted, the forwards were getting the upper hand and it wasn't long before Leek equalised through Powell again who took the ball from the back of an excellent Leek scrum to force his way over the line, the conversion missed 10-10 and half time was called all square at half time.

The second half was very evenly contested, the weather was very wet and with two physical teams the game slowed but was no less competitive. Both teams squandered opportunities as the wet ball slipped from hand a few times.

The game looked set for a well deserved draw before Leek punted the ball deep into Newcastle's 22 where the Newcastle wing found some space and punished Leek with a try two minutes before time which Newcastle converted, 10-17 Newcastle.

Leek through everything in the restart to get the ball back and in their efforts conceded a penalty in front of their own posts which Newcastle righly kicked to secure the win, 10-20.

The game was a very close and physical affair, extremely competitive but played in excellent spirit with both teams showing the core values of Rugby. The result could of gone either way but it was to be Newcastle's on the day, Leek go again in the next League fixture 8th October against Telford Hornets and in the meantime can rest some very tired bodies and get injured players back on the pitch after a run of very physical games.