Saturday 17th May 2025

Papa Johns Regional 1 Shield Final at Sixways Stadium, Worcester

Tunbridge Wells 47

Leek 36

Leek went down fighting in another epic national cup final at Worcester on Saturday in front of a fantastic crowd of support for both sides and blessed with great weather.
The Final meant the teams had expanded squads and the starting XV for Leek included many players who had played in last year’s final against Stoke.

Skipper Joe Newton Taylor, (see attached photo of Joe leading the squad out, flanked by our minis), Ollie Powell and Lewis Dunleavy were in the front row. Tom Hayes and Joel Hine were at lock and George Hunt, Brenig Hughes and Billy Kidd made up the back row. Rob McDermott and Noah Reaney were the starting half backs and Joe Gorman and Will Midwinter partnered at centre. Kin Critchlow, Josh Nadin and Jack Newton Taylor were the back 3.
On the 7-man bench, Leek had Will Hill, Lee Williams, Conlon Newton Taylor, Joel Booth, Ollie Drew, Josh Fowles and Josh Ballance.

The game started with the sun in the Leek faces and after a brief early spell with the ball, Tunbridge Wells’ big forwards took over and created territory and momentum for 4 tries in the opening 26 minutes and a 26-0 lead. Leek was powerless to stop the well organised team from Regional 1 London and South East, South Central Division, and it was clear that Leek would need a miracle just to avoid a very big defeat. But we know our boys never give up, and sooner or later, an opening would appear and on 30 minutes, after Leek had used a few replacements, the backs moved the ball wide right, and Kin Critchlow scored in the corner. Will Midwinter converted superbly, and Leek was on the board at 26-7.

Back came Tunbridge and they spent the final few minutes near Leek’s line and with the final push got over the line but a brilliant pull out sent the ball forward and Leek survived and went into the break, needing the time to settle themselves and change the game for the 2nd half.

Half Time – Tunbridge Wells 26 -7 Leek

Still no neutral was betting on Leek getting back into the game, yet within 16 minutes of the restart, 3 Leek tries had brought the Moorlanders level at 26 all in an amazing spell of attacking rugby. Joe Gorman took a quick tap from a penalty to go over 2 minutes into the half and Will Midwinter converted.26-14. 3 minutes later and Josh Fowles went over after Kin Critchlow beautifully chip kicked to inside the 22, retrieved the ball and passed inside. Will Midwinter converted and it was 26-21. Then on 56 minutes a flowing move right to left saw Josh Fowles score again in the left corner. Will Midwinter’s incredible conversion hit the post and stayed out, but Leek had drawn level at 26 all and it was game on.

Will didn’t have to wait long for another go at goal, this time for a penalty attempt in front as Leek threatened to overwhelm Tunbridge and his successful kick on 58 minutes put Leek into the lead for the first time at 26-29.

The lead lasted a minute as Tunbridge hit back with a converted try, leaving the Leek boys to think again about their opponents, who hadn’t given up the game. 33-29

Then on 61 minutes, the try of the day was scored by Jack Newton Taylor who took the ball on the left on halfway and burst through a gap and inside to evade tacklers and score a wonder try by the posts. Will Midwinter converted and Leek retook the lead at 33-36.

On 67 minutes, Will Midwinter had a long-range penalty attempt but it went just wide and then just as Leek were getting on top inside the Tunbridge 22, a penalty against them turned the game. 2 late converted tries, as the big Tunbridge forwards came on, sunk the Leek dream and the final whistle went on an extraordinary game of rugby to grace any final.

It’s another heart ache for the Leek faithful to take but there was nothing but praise for the whole squad and take nothing away from Tunbridge, they played their part, and it shows that this competition does pitch teams from different parts of the country at the right level.

Time for a rest now before pre season and the start of the 2025 – 2026 season in September. Enjoy the break and gear up for the summer.

Thankyou to everyone who has supported the club this year in whatever capacity and role. What an exciting time to be playing community rugby in the Moorlands.

Author: J. McDermott