Saturday 7th September 2024

Regional 1 North West

Manchester 30

Leek 17

Leek opened the new league season with a trip to Manchester and despite losing, there can be a lot of positives to take from the game and encouragement for the coaching staff to take as the season gets into full swing.

Jack Newton Taylor started at full back with debutant Josh Cartlidge and Kin Critchlow on the wings. Rob McDermott and Josh Nadin partnered in the centre and Joe Byrne with Noah Reaney were at half back.
Captain Joe Newton Taylor, Ed Cheadle and Lee Williams were in the front row and Joel Booth with Ollie Powell at lock. Joe Gorman started at No.8 with Brennig Hughes and Billy Kid on the flanks.
Jack Bray, Danny Griffin and Josh Ballance were on the bench.

On a very good surface and a fine day, the game kicked off and Leek were under immediate pressure, conceding a try in the opening minute after a lineout on the right and going through phases, the home side scored on the left. The conversion missed but an early score gave the hosts a 5-0 lead.
It increased for pressure on 4 minutes after a high tackle on the Leek 22 gave the Manchester fly half an easy opportunity and the lead increased to 8-0.

Leek needed to get their hands on the ball and retain it for a while to get into the game and it happened on 10 minutes as they passed their way into the Manchester 22. A knock on from Manchester and Leek had a scrum on the right, deep in the 22 and as the ball came along the line Rob McDermott burst thought 2 would be tacklers to score Leek's opening try under the posts. Joe Byrne converted, and the score moved to 8-7 on 12 minutes.
On 21 minutes, a scrum in their own 22, allowed Manchester's backs to have a go wide right and they carved open the Leek defence for the wing to score in the right-hand corner. The conversion missed but it was a lesson the Leek backs needed to heed in defence, as their opponents looked dangerous on the break. 13-7.
Then came the move of the day and Leek's 2nd try on 27 minutes. A high tackle gave Leek a penalty on halfway on the left. Joe Byrne took a quick tap, danced his way around 3 or 4 would be tacklers across field down to the Manchester 22 before offloading to the backs and some slick handling gave Kin Critchlow the space to round the last defender and score on the right. A superb try and one which left the home team stunned as Joe Byrne converted to hand Leek the lead at 13-14.
On 33 minutes, Jack Newton Taylor was yellow carded for back chat, but Leek held on to the lead until half time, as Leek's defence held firm.
Manchester 13-14 Leek

The 2nd half opened with Leek playing well and retaining possession and on 46 minutes won a penalty outside the 22 which was enhanced 10 metres into the 22. Joe Byrne converted, and Leek led 13-17.
It was to be the high point for Leek in this game as the hosts then turned the screw and upped the tempo. On 56 minutes, a quick tap penalty from a lineout penalty against Leek and the defence was breached with good support. The conversion was good, and the score moved to 20-17.
5 minutes later and another try after an offside decision allowed the Manchester forwards to power towards the line before crashing over for bonus point try. The conversion was good, and Manchester led 27-17 on 61minutes.
On 67 minutes, Leek's scrum was penalised for coming up and the simple penalty increased the lead to 30-17.
Leek was in danger of succumbing in the last 13 minutes, but the way the players held together, defending strongly and competing at every opportunity meant they had belief and in a frantic last 3 minutes, won 3 penalties in a row to set up a lineout on the Manchester 5 metre line on the left. Good control and several phases gave the Moorlanders the opportunity to find a gap in the strong Manchester defence, but it held firm and disappointingly, the game ended without Leek picking up a deserved 1 or 2 points.

There was a lot to be proud of as a Leek supporter and not least because of the strong support there and with so many youngsters in the squad, it bodes well for the future.
This week, it's the longest trip of the season up to Cumbria to play Penrith. They had an exciting win at Stockport by 38-45 and we know from the 3 games against them last season, it will be a hard, competitive encounter. Still all to look forward to and hoping to see as many supporters there as possible.

The 2nd XV had an encouraging opening win in Midland Counties 3 west (N) on Saturday, beating Eccleshall 1st XV by 28-21 with Jay Wilkinson bagging 18 points. All 6 home teams won in that league and Leek 2ns welcome Stone 1st XV this Saturday to Altrad Park, so if cannot make it to Penrith, please get down and support the 2s.

All kick off 3pm.