Regional 1 North West

Leek 25

Derby 19

Leek ground out their 2nd home win of the season against Derby on Saturday after a very tough match at Altrad Park, with the points difference being a penalty and a rare drop goal.

Leek welcomed back Jack Newton Taylor at full back with Alex Fitzmaurice James and Sam Brereton on the wings. Josh Nadin and Will Midwinter were in the centre, and Joe Byrne and Scott Rawlings were at half back. Skipper Joe Newton Taylor, Ed Cheadle and Lewis Dunleavy were in the front row. Joel Booth and Tom Hayes partnered at lock. Joe Gorman, Billy Kidd and Ollie Powell made up the back row.
George Hunt, Joel Hine and Kin Critchlow were on the bench.

On a perfect Autumnal afternoon, referee Mike Gray initiated the game’s kick off and 5 minutes later Will Midwinter kicked a penalty after a quick tap penalty led to the prevention of the next play. 3-0.
On 11 minutes Will Midwinter had a chance to double Leek’s led but his penalty attempt hit the post and stayed out. Then Deby hit back and on 23 minutes, their most influential player, No.8, broke through a tackle on the Leek 10 metre line and sprinted in by the posts. The conversion was good and Derby led 3-7.
5 minutes later and good retention by Leek eventually saw Sam Brereton on the right wing move past 2 attempted tackles to near the Derby line. Leek rucked then and a long pass into centre field went awry, but the Derby back line was offside. Joe Byrne kicked for the lineout on the left and from 6 metres, the catch and drive saw Ollie Powell controlling the ball at the back of the maul before Joel Booth crashed over on the left for Leek’s first try. Will Midwinter converted and Leek regained the lead at 10-7.
Derby came back again and in added time on 41 minutes won a penalty as the tackler didn’t release. They kicked for the 6-metre lineout on the left and a good drive, led to a forwards try. The conversion missed but the visitors regained the lead at 10-12. Leek kicked off, Derby knocked on and the half time whistle blew on this engaging game.

HT: Leek 10 – 12 Derby

3 minutes into the 2nd half and a yellow card for too many high tackle infringements left Derby a man down. Leek then had a lineout 7 metres from the Derby line and after rucking on the 5-metre line, Scott Rawlings cross kicked for Sam Brereton. He almost caught the ball in goal but knocked on and Derby’s wing reacted quickly to sprint into the Leek half and on to the 22. AFJ came to the rescue as he thwarted the momentum, and Leek had a let off. Still Derby had the momentum and missed a penalty 2 minutes later as Leek tried to run the ball out of defence and hung on to the ball in the tackle.
On 52 minutes, Leek took advantage of the extra man when Jack Newton Taylor scored in the left corner. It followed strong play by forwards and backs, stretching Derby on both sides of the field before the weak edge was found for JNT to sprint in. Will Midwinter missed the tough conversion, but Leek retook the lead at 15-12.
6 minutes later and Leek scored their 3rd try through Kin Critchlow on the left after more good pressure and quick breakdown wins, testing the Derby defence. AFJ then made a telling run deep into the Derby 22, committing 3 defenders and Kin Critchlow was on hand to pick the ball up and touch down. Will Midwinter converted and Leek extended the lead to 22-12.
The momentum felt like it had shifted towards the Moorlanders, but Derby was not going to lie down. On 61 minutes, a high tackle from Leek led to a warning from the referee to Joe Newton Taylor, the Leek skipper, and a lineout on Leek’s 5 metre line. Derby’s forwards were held up over the line for a goal line dropout though, as the Leek defence held firm. Then on 67 minutes, Ed Cheadle was yellow carded for an accumulation of high tackle offences and the subsequent lineout for the visitors led to their No.8 again breaking a tackle from behind the maul to score on the right. The conversion was good, and the scores narrowed to 22-19.
On 72 minutes, Leek had a chance to seal the game with a 5-metre lineout, but the overthrow led to a Derby clearance. Still Leek was dominating possession and on 78 minutes Leek was attacking in the Derby 22. With an advantage for not releasing, Scott Rawlings took the chance to try a drop goal from about 18 metres out in front. It wasn’t the best connection between boot and ball, but the ball arched its way up and towards the centre of the goal. It hit the top of the bar, bounced upwards and then fell torpedo like on the bar again and glanced in goal to record a score. 25-19.
The final minutes saw Leek pressing but unable to break the stout and courageous Derby defence and the game concluded after a cross kick found Jack Newton Taylor, but he stepped in touch unfortunately.
It ended an entertaining, competitive match with Leek securing 4 league points and Derby 1 point.

The result keeps both teams in the same positions as before the game with Leek in 5th on 28 points and Derby in 12th on 11 points.

With Wirral and Manchester losing, it allowed Bowdon to move into 6th place on 20 points. The top 4 teams all won and with another international break this weekend, the Moorlanders will be planning their next away trip to Huddersfield, a club never played before. The Yorkshire side, which finished 2nd in North East 1 last season, before being transferred to North West 1 this season, is in 2nd place currently, having won all their games since an opening day defeat at Anselmians. It will be a tough assignment for Leek, but one which they should relish.

All support is very welcome on the hike across the M62. KO is 2.15pm

Meanwhile the 2s went down 29 – 21 at Clee Hill 1st XV after a promising start to the match and they now stand in 7th position in Midlands 2 West (West), having won 3 and lost 3 matches. Their next match is at home on November 22nd, when they will welcome Luctonians 3s to Altrad Park. If you cannot make it to Huddersfield, then please come and support the 2s on their journey at level 8. KO is 2.15pm

Leek 3s had a hard fought game at Sale FC against their 3s and honours were even at 19 all. In this highly competitive 13 team league, Leek currently sit in 2nd place. Having just completed 4 away games in a row, the 3s now have 2 home games in a row.

This Saturday, November 15th is against Marple 2s. Marple 2s are currently top of the table, so this should be a great game. Please come and support the 3s this Saturday with no other senior game on offer.

England plays New Zealand this Saturday too, so why not combine watching the 3s with getting down to the club to watch this huge International.

On November 22nd, the 3s welcome Carrington to Altrad Park, so plenty of local rugby on offer for you to take in.

On Saturday morning, Leek Colts received Burton Colts and in a fantastic game, which see sawed one way and the other, Leek lost out by 31-33. It was another outstanding game of rugby.

This weekend, the Colts are on their travels and will play Nottinghamshire side Paviours in a friendly match.

The following week on the Friday night, November 21st, Leek welcomes Stafford for a game under the Leek lights. It should be a fantastic occasion and there will be plenty to eat and drink through out the evening. Make it a date and come and watch the upcoming rugby talent in Staffordshire.

Author: J.McDermott