Saturday 27th April 2024

Staffordshire Rugby Union Centenary Cup Final.

The Moorlanders beat Lichfield 28-19 at Altrad Park to claim their first silverware at the climax to their own centenary season.

The ever-reliable boot of Jay Wilkinson calmed any early nerves, getting the blue and whites off to the best possible start with two early penalties. He added a third after 12 minutes before winger Tom Scragg crossed the whitewash for Leek's first try to make it 14-0.

The visitors pulled a try back, only for Wilkinson to score Leek's second. His conversion stretched the lead to 21-5.

In what could have been a turning point in the game, openside flanker Jack Bray was red-carded for leading with the elbow to the head of a would-be tackler. But shortly after, Scragg scored his second, Wilkinson again converting, to make the score 28-5.

Lichfield claimed a late score to make it 28-12 at halftime, and the Moorlanders knew they would have a match on their hands in the second period.

The third quarter was a stalemate, with neither side able to add to their tally. Then a yellow card for Scragg saw the blue and whites reduced to 13 men and their backs were to the wall.

With 15 minutes left, Lichfield claimed a third try, and it looked like we would be in for a nervous finish. But resolute defence from Andy Thompson's boys prevented any further scoring, and the skipper led his team from the pitch with a 28-19 win.

It was fitting that at the climax of their centenary season, Leek could claim the Staffordshire Centenary Cup - the competition designed for second teams and first teams playing at a lower level in the county.