Leek win a nailbiter to reach Papa John Shield Final

Saturday 4th May 2024

Papa John Shield Semi Final

Leek 50

Penrith 44

Leek reached the final of the Papa John Shield with a nail-biting win over league rivals Penrith at Altrad Park.

The Moorlanders scored seven tries to the visitors' six to advance to the final against county rivals Stoke, at the Sixways stadium, Worcester, next Saturday, 11th May. It is a fitting end to the club's centenary season, and also marks ten years since they contested a Twickenham cup final.

With honours even from the two league fixtures this season, it promised to be a tight, high-scoring encounter.

The Cumbrians were first on the board with a score after just two minutes, a Leek fumble being regathered and passed quickly along the line for a try under the posts. Tom Hayes' steal from a Penrith lineout then set up a series of phases for the hosts, Joel Booth eventually driving over from close range to even the scores (7-7).

Penrith eased ahead with a penalty but Leek were quickly back on the front foot, Will Midwinter picking up a pass from his bootlaces and shrugging off a would-be tackler to put the blue and whites back in front.

Another penalty for the visitors narrowed the gap to one point, but more Leek possession saw skipper for the day Oli Powell drive over. Jack Newton-Taylor then received the ball out wide, stepped three defenders and scored in the corner, Midwinter's conversion making it 28-13. He added a penalty just before half time to stretch the lead to 31-13.

Penrith scored a try early in the half before a Joe Byrne special - a dummy and a sidestep clearing his way to the line - saw Leek pull further ahead, 38-18. The visitors replied within a couple of minutes and added another after Josh Cartlidge received a yellow card for a high tackle on his first team debut - 38-32.

A brace from George Hunt, popping up all over the pitch as usual, pushed the score out to 50-32, but the Altrad Park faithful have seen plenty of big leads disappear this season, and so it nearly proved again.

Back came the Cumbrians with two tries late on, but as they pressed for the winning score, Leek won a penalty. They kicked to touch, won the lineout and then booted the ball into touch as time ran out to win the game.