Leek’s 3rd season at Level 5 sees them opposing 6 new clubs as the geographical complexities mean 4 Midlands teams are now playing in the North West 1 division this season, Leek, Burton, Derby and Long Eaton.
These are joined by two promoted clubs Rochdale and Bowdon and the opening game of the season for the Moorlanders pitched them away at Bowdon.
This was their first ever game at Level 5 but have only lost once in 3 years on home turf, so it was anyone’s guess how this game might play out.
In the end, a tight scoreline was posted with both sides scoring 5 tries with Leek edging the conversions and penalties to win a highly entertaining match to open the season.
The preseason hadn’t gone according to plan for Leek with sides crying off against them, and so the team was light on competitive match play. Nevertheless, the squad looked impressive on paper with familiar faces aplenty and two debutants.

Skipper Joe Newton Taylor, Ed Cheadle and Lewis Dunleavy made up the front row with Joel Booth and Tom Hayes at lock. Joe Gorman moved back into the pack at No.8 with George Hunt and Ollie Powell on the flanks.
Joe Byrne was back from injury and starting half back with Noah Reaney. New, old comer Scott Rawlings, a Leek junior back in the day and now a player coach, started at 12 with Will Midwinter at 13. Newcomer, Alex Fitzmaurice James, started on the left wing and Kin Critchlow on the right wing with Jack Newton Taylor at full back.
Joel Hine, Billy Kidd and Josh Nadin were on the bench.

Leek was playing with the slope and cross wind as the game kicked off on a glorious afternoon in Cheshire, on a great surface and Leek’s opening chance on 5 minutes with a penalty to find the corner deep in the home 22 was lost, as touch wasn’t found. 3 minutes later and Bowdon opened the scoring with a great try, after good retention saw the home side move the ball left to right and then back again as they stretched the Leek defence. The final pass to the left wing saw him dive over for the try. The conversion failed in the wind, but home supporters were cheering their team’s opening try. 5-0.
On 12 minutes, Leek won a penalty for offside and this time the kick for touch was good. George Hunt took the line out catch, the drive moved the ball forward before, firstly, Joel Booth drove for the line and then Ollie Powell from short range crashed over for Leek’s opening try. Will Midwinter converted and Leek led 5-7.
The lead was increased on 18 minutes with a successful Midwinter penalty after a high tackle infringement. 5-10.
However, on 22 minutes, Bowdon put together several phases and moved the ball into the Leek 22 and it led to a 2 on 1 for Alex Fitzmaurice James to defend. All he could do was intentionally knock the ball forward as the pass sped across him. The referee awarded a penalty try and the new wing received a yellow card. 12-10 Bowdon.
3 minutes later, Will Midwinter nudged another penalty kick over after Bowdon’s pack came up in the scrum and Leek retook the lead at 12-13.
This lead didn’t last long either as Bowdon scored their 3rd try on 28 minutes after the flanker burst through tackles in midfield off the lineout. His inside pass found the lock who scored by the posts. The conversion was good, and Bowdon led 19-13.
On 32 minutes, after a Jack Newton Taylor clearance kick catch, Joe Byrne broke to near the Bowdon line. Illegal interference led to a penalty and a yellow card for the Bowdon prop, but the lineout option didn’t work as the home side stole the ball.
However Leek was building pressure and after a clearance kick and good retention, Noah Reaney combined with Will Midwinter on the right and Alex Fitzmaurice James popped up inside to take the pass and score on his debut on 36 minutes. Will Midwinter converted and for the 5th time, the lead changed hands as Leek led 19-20.
The half ended on a high for Leek as Kin Critchlow scored the first of his 3 tries on the left, again after great retention and patience with almost the entire team involved, as the ball was eventually worked to the left and a super pass from James gave his fellow wing the scoring opportunity. The conversion just failed but Leek had extended their lead to 19-25 as the half time whistle blew.

The first 30 minutes of the 2nd half was Leek’s purple patch. Retaining possession against the slope and wind were the priorities, and all players did their bit to ensure Bowdon was denied as much possession as possible. It was still an open game with both sides running the ball when able, but it was Leek, as the game entered the 4th quarter, which broke the deadlock with the try of the game. Joel Booth had almost reached the Bowdon line, after good Leek rucking, when the ball was dislodged and Bowdon cleared. The kick found Leek on half way, but the almost imperceptible yards gained as the forwards drove to commit the defence and then the backs passing to find a weak edge, all the while protecting the ball and not taking a risk, meant the attack suddenly was in the Bowdon 22 and the defence was struggling to cover the incessant drives. As the defence was sucked in, time for the quick ball across the back line and the final pass from winger to winger again, saw Kin Ctritchlow score his 2nd try on the right. Will Midwinter converted superbly, and Leek extended the lead to 19-32.
On 67 minutes, Bowdon received its 2nd yellow card and 6 minutes later Kin Critchlow was scoring his hattrick try. It started from a lineout on the left and a couple of drives in midfield was then converted to quick ball left to right. Good hands and swift movement allowed the young wing to score. The conversion just failed but at 19-37 with 13 minutes to go, Bowdon would have to score 3 times to win the game.

As it happened, they scored twice, converting two tries as Leek’s defence went below standard. The last try was on full time, so the conversion was required to win Bowdon a 2nd bonus point and the excellent kick from the right touch deserved to take it. 31-37.
The whistle blew for no side and both sides can feel pleased with their different outcomes.

It was week 1 of a long hard season to come, and both sides will build on their performances.

Anselmians topped the scores today with a thumping 62-29 win at home against Huddersfield, the North East 1 club that has been transferred to the West. Both sides finished 2nd in their respective leagues last season, and both will fancy their chances to win the West league this time.

Next up for Leek this Saturday is Anselmians then, with a 3pm KO.

Other 5 point winners on week 1 were Manchester, Wirral, Burton and Long Eaton.

Ladies Day is next Saturday too, so get down early and enjoy match day atmosphere.

The Leek 2nd XV started life at Level 8, in Midlands 2 West (West) with a home game against fellow promotion rivals, Newcastle 2nds. Leek scored 8 tries to Newcastle’s 4 and so with a large home crowd to cheer them on, the 2s have made an excellent start.

Next week, they travel to Battlestead Croft to face the challenge of Burton 2nds. KO 3pm.

Leek 3rds travelled to Bloxwich to play their 2nd XV and came away with an excellent 5-64 win. It bodes well for their season in the NOWIRUL leagues starting next Saturday with a trip to play Broughton Park 3rds.

Well done to all players, coaching and physio staff for producing an excellent start to the season. Good luck.

Report author: J. McDermott