....against a Kidderminster side that fought very hard coming strongly into the game just before half time and only conceding a final 2 tries in the last 2 minutes of the game.

Leek welcomed back skipper Luke Hardern at lock partnering Ben Barlow as Adam Smith, Ed Cheadle and Lee Williams made up the front row. Joel Booth was at No.8 with George Hunt and Jake Bainbridge on the flanks.
Ollie Dew and Sam Hunt were at half back with Gary McDermott and Tom Scragg in the centres. Matt Leadingham and Kini Buli were on the wings with Will Graham at full back.
Liam McDermott, Jack Conlon and Bobby Cheadle were on the bench.

In the clubhouse before the game, president Gareth Jones welcomed the Kidderminster officials and other club members who all helped celebrate the 90th birthday of club and county stalwart Jim Heckle.
Still going strong, Jim is a former Leek captain, president of Leek, president of Staffordshire and president of the Midland Counties in his day.
Please find attached picture with granddaughter and Gareth Jones.

The game kicked off on the best weather day of the year so far with underfoot conditions good on the drying EsterChem Park surface.
Leek were soon on the attack winning a 3rd minute penalty for slow ball release at the tackle and the resulting kick for touch had Leek with a lineout on Kidderminster’s 5 metre line on the left.
The catch and drive was stopped illegally and Leek again opted for the lineout and as the maul arrived at the line, another in at the side offence had the referee yellow carding the Kidderminster prop.
The 3rd lineout catch and drive finally got over the line with Jake Bainbridge on hand to score the try on 6 minutes. Sam Hunt’s conversion went wide but Leek had made a good start. 5-0.

In the reverse fixture at Kidderminster, Leek’s scrum suffered a torrid time at the hands of a dominant home pack but today, the tables were turned as Leek disrupted the visitor’s scrum most of the afternoon. On 11 minutes, a scrum won against the head on the left saw a series of rucks won and Lee Williams set up the final one under the posts and as Ollie Drew arrived, the defence was already depleted as the scrum half darted under the posts. Sam Hunt converted and Leek were up to 12-0.
Leek suffered a blow on 15 minutes when young fullback Will Graham limped off with a hamstring injury and it was the start of a busy afternoon for coach Lee Pickles and the bench as several players went off for injury.

Leek were playing with confidence and skill and on 25 minutes the 3rd try showed all the attributes of both when the forwards and backs combined on the left to get the ball to the Kidderminster 22 on the left. With a free ball signalled by the referee for offside, Gary McDermott kicked cross field for Kini Buli who was open the right wing. His opposite man made a vain attempt to take the ball but it spilled and a grateful Buli picked up and touched down for the try. Sam Hunt’s conversion was excellent and at 19-0, Leek were enjoying their afternoon.
On 30 minutes a carbon copy of the 3rd try with McDermott kicking from left to right for Kini Buli to score was not awarded as Buli was offside. It followed a break out from the 22 by Luke Hardern and would have made a superb score.

Nevertheless the try of the match was scored 7 minutes later by the left wing Matt Leadingham. A similar breakout from the Leek 22 after a turnover saw Jake Bainbridge carry the ball to half way. Interpassing with Gary McDermott, the final pass left to Matt Leadingham had the wing still with plenty to do from outside the Kidderminster 22 on the left. He was to beat 3 defenders before scoring under the posts. First was his step inside and then it looked like he would be caught by 2 defenders racing back but the wing slowed, turned slightly towards them, dummied a pass over the top which stopped them and then seemingly in the same movement turned on the gas to go under the posts unopposed. A fantastic effort by a player who has only been playing the game for 2 years. Sam Hunt converted and with 38 minutes gone, it was 26-0, with the bonus point secured and Kidderminster facing a herculean task to get anything from the game.
Signal the start of a frantic last few minutes of the first half and a try with the last play following a quick tap penalty under the posts. A series of rucks and a Kidderminster forward crashed over for the try by the posts. The try was converted to end the half with the visitors hopeful of continuing their progress at 26-7.

The first 30 minutes of the 2nd half remarkably didn’t see a single point scored as Kidderminster grittily fought their way back into the game, giving as good as they received and gaining parity with Leek. Then on 67 minutes, Luke Hardern was yellow carded for hands in the ruck and 3 minutes later, the excellent full back fielded a clearance kick, sprinted right, passed to the right wing who kicked ahead and won the race for the touch down. The conversion was good and at 26-14, it seemed Kidderminster could yet get something out of the game.
However, Leek regathered themselves and on 76 minutes from a lineout on the Kidderminster 22, Tom Scragg went on the crash ball to within a few metres of the Kidderminster line and following a couple of rucks, Sam Hunt danced his way through a gap to score by the posts. His conversion was good at 33-14. Then from the kick-off, Leek retained the ball well and worked a great position on the right for Kini Buli to get outside his man before delaying his pass long enough for man of the match, Jake Bainbridge to take the inside pass and score on the right.
Please see attached photo of Jake about to score his 2nd try.
Sam Hunt’s conversion was good again and at 40-14, the game ended with a knock on a couple of minutes later.

In the end, a bonus point win for Leek but not before Kidderminster had posed a few serious questions in the 2nd half and they are to be commended for never giving up and showing they have the skill and talent to survive relegation. The loss leaves Kidderminster in 9th place with Leek retaining 4th spot on 50 points.
A solid home performance from the Moorlanders, particularly in the 1st half and with a few injuries to contend with, it is perhaps another bonus that this week is a non league weekend.

Next up though is the top challenge away at Whitchurch on 3rd March. The league leaders and Midlands Cup finalists have yet to be beaten this season, so it will be very interesting to see how Leek can get on. KO 2.15pm.

Following that game, Leek stay on their travels with a trip to Ludlow, fast improving and only just failing to beat both Whitchurch and Crewe at home. KO 2.15pm on 10th March.

THIS SATURDAY at EsterChem Park, the colts are in action and you are invited to come and watch this exciting group of players as they continue to improve and take the next steps towards senior rugby. KO 2.15pm

Also on the big screen after the colts match is the Calcutta Cup match from Edinburgh where England will be taking on Scotland. KO is 4.45pm. Come and watch the game with friends in the clubhouse.

Ireland v Wales is also screened on Saturday with a 2.15pm KO. Hot and cold food served all day.

On Sunday, 26th February, EsterChem Pak hosts a match between Staffordshire Under 16s and NLD Under 16s. KO is at 2pm and there are Leek players in the squad. Please come and support them and your county.