Saturday 12th April 2025

Papa John’s Community Cup

Regional 1 Shield. Round 1

Derby 45

Leek 46

Leek won a remarkable game at Derby on Saturday by the odd point in 91. Trailing 26-8 at the half, the Moorlanders never gave up and won through with a last kick penalty goal.

With the leagues for the 1sts and 2nds completed last weekend, this weekend saw cup matters taking centre stage. As usual, availability dips at this time of the year and Leek’s 1st team squad was depleted by injury too. It forced the selectors to pick 4 x 2nd team players and with injury to Ollie Drew, Noah Reaney moved to scrum half, partnering Rob McDermott at half back. Joe Gorman and Will Midwinter were in the centre and Jack Newton-Taylor, Josh Cartlidge and Josh Nadin made up the back 3.
Lewis Dunleavey was back at prop combining with Ed Cheadle and skipper Joe Newton-Taylor in the front row. Conlon Newton-Taylor was given a first start for the 1sts at lock with Tom Hayes. Brenig Hughes was at No.8 and Billy Kidd and Ollie Powell were on the flanks.
Will Hill, Joel Hine and Anton Davidson were on the bench.

Derby’s artificial surface was a pleasure to play on after the bone hard grass pitches of the past few weeks and although the temperature soared, both teams put on a performance worthy of this level 5 cup match with Derby playing in the Midlands version as Leek play in the North West. Both finished in 10th spots with both having great 2nd halves of the season to secure their league status, so it was no surprise that there wouldn’t be too much between them, if the squads matched their league teams.

Will Midwinter opened the scoring on 5 minutes with a penalty, but Derby scored the first of their 7 tries 3 minutes later from a catch and drive from a 5-metre lineout. 5-3.
Leek’s first try of 6 came on 12 minutes after Billy Kidd charged down a clearance kick, Brenig Hughes recovered the ball, and Josh Cartlidge was on hand to support and score. The conversion missed but Leek led again 5-8.
Derby took over the half then with a powerful scrum and good handling in the backs to score 3 converted tries on 22, 26 minutes and then right on half time after Leek had steadied the ship in the 2nd quarter.

Half Time – Derby 26 – 8 Leek

The bench was being used extensively by both sides as the heat took its toll and Leek needed to score first in the 2nd half to gain any sort of chance to win the game. Rob McDermott obliged on 45 minutes after a Joe Gorman break and Anton Davidson support to near the line. Will Midwinter converted and it was 26-15.
The initiative was immediately lost as Derby scored 3 minutes later after the full back kicked a superb 50-22 and the lineout maul drove over. Crucially the conversion missed. 31-15.
Back came Leek on 52 minutes with Tom Hayes’ first try after quick pens for ruck offences. Conversion was good. 31-22. The next try was critical to Leek’s chances, and it came courtesy of Jack Newton Taylor after some great work and injected pace by Will Midwinter, saw the powerful full back sprint in on the left. The conversion was good and the score up to 31-29.
Again, Derby countered and extended the lead on 64 minutes when the strong centre, given his one opportunity in the game to use his strength and speed, beat 5 tackles to score by the posts. 38-29.
Then came 2 Leek tries on 67 minutes from Jack Newton Taylor, following a superb jinking break from Will Midwinter, (see attached photo of Jack’s touch down) and 74 minutes from Tom Hayes,(see attached photo of Tom about to dart over for his try), both converted by Will, to hand Leek an unlikely lead at 38-43.
With time running out, back came Derby and the prop scored in the left corner after Leek’s defence just ran out of manpower. With the scores equal, the difficult conversion on the left touch line was superbly landed to hand Derby the lead at 45-43 on 76 minutes.
Then came the final minutes and Leek conceded a penalty for an unfortunate offside. Derby kicked for the lineout on halfway. It seemed all they had to do was catch and drive, play a couple of rucks and kick the ball out, but as the maul turned to ruck the ball was spilled forward and Billy Kidd pounced on the ball. The ball sped to Leek’s backs who made ground on the right to the Derby 22. At the tackle there, the ball was recycled through 2 rucks and when Conlon Newton Taylor set up another ruck, 40 meters out, the referee awarded Leek a penalty as a Derby forward interfered with the scrum half before the ball alighted from the ruck.
It was to be the last play of the game – a Will Midwinter penalty from 40 metres in front of goal and cool as you like, he kicked it through the middle, the final whistle went, and Leek had won at the death by 45-46. (see attached photo of Will’s kick starting to head towards the goal)

It had been a tremendous game, back and forth with both sets of players giving a display of courage and fitness in the heat for the big crowd.

Credit to Noah Reaney for stepping into scrum half again and he showed that his fitness to the break down, pace and passing ability from 9 gives Leek another dimension when required. The backrow trio plus Anton worked tirelessly all game to keep Leek hunting the ball when in defence and supporting in attack. Finally to Will Midwinter, the ice cool converter whose ability to score under pressure was yet again on display.

Well played both sets of players and Leek now look forward to the next round.

In case you’re wondering who, the opposition will be, it will be Alnwick, as it appears both Stoke, Leek’s next opponents, and Kendal, Alnwick’s opponents, have both withdrawn from the competition.

We’re not sure if we’re at home or away or if it is a 2-legged affair home and away or exactly when, although likely May 10th if one leg and May 3rd and 10th if 2 legs with the potential final on May 17th at Worcester.

The winner of the North and Midlands will play one of the 4 South teams left in at this stage – Harpenden, Horsham, Southend Saxons or Tunbridge Wells. Those 4 play on April 26th to set up the South semi final(s) on (3rd ) and/or 10th May

We will advise on this medium and others as soon as we receive confirmation.

The 2s lost a close match at Tamworth, fielding a number of Colts in the side and that experience will have aided the education of playing against senior players. Well done to everyone.

Author: J. McDermott