Leek’s centenary season began with an historic first match at Level 5 of the English national league pyramid.
It didn’t disappoint the home faithful either as Leek won a tight match against Cheshire rivals Sandbach with both teams scoring 2 tries.
Skipper Ed Cheadle starting his 4th season as captain with Lee Williams and new man Gregor Hayes in the front row. Joel Booth and Gregor’s brother Tom Hayes were at lock. George Hunt, with Joe Gorman and Billy Kidd made up the back row.
Rob McDermott and Joe Byrne were at half back with Josh Nadin and James Floyd in the centre. Sam Brereton, Kin Critchlow and Jack Newton Taylor made up the back 3.
Bobby Cheadle, Sam Lloyd and Tom Scragg made up the bench.
The squad consisted of 8 changes from the group that ended the previous season against Old Silhillians and as Sandbach were also reconstructing following a number of departures, but having finished 4th in this league last season, it was difficult to predict whether these 2 teams would be competitive or not. As it happened, it was competitive, and the match provided a good introduction to this level for Leek as the home side deserved their first win.

The afternoon was warm, still and perfect for rugby and Leek started well with a try on 8 minutes.
A scrum on the Sandbach 22 left Joe Byrne harassing his opposite number and the kick for safety was charged down by Joe Gorman. He picked up the ball and fed Tom Hayes for the youngster to head over the line for the opening score. Joe Byrne converted, and Leek led early 7-0.
3 minutes later and Leek moved the ball well down the left and only a partial interception with the line begging prevented a 2nd score for Leek after a great move by the Leek backs moving right to left.
A minute later and a high tackle in front of the Sandbach posts with Leek making significant progress upfield allowed Joe Byrne to increase Leek’s lead to 10-0 on 15 minutes.
The 2nd quarter began with Sandbach exerting their first pressure in the Leek half. A penalty on 20 minutes for dropping the maul, led to a lineout 8 metres from the Leek line on the Sandbach left.
The catch and drive was halted though as Leek’s defence caused a knock on.
On 28 minutes Sandbach scored their first points as they won a penalty for off feat on the Leek 22. 10-3.
Then on 35 minutes Bobby Cheadle was yellow carded for a no arm tackle and a scrum in Leek’s 22 looked like a good position for the visitors but an early engage offence allowed Leek to clear and the half ended with Leek holding a 10-3 lead.

3 minutes into the 2nd half and Leek was down to 13 men after skipper Ed Cheadle was yellow carded for dropping the maul as it moved towards the Leek line.
Leek held the drive from the lineout on their 5 metre line winning the scrum but childish calling out led to referee Sam Yates awarding Sandbach a penalty. Still Leek held out and then on 47 minutes Joe Gorman was carded for over the top at the ruck. The resulting lineout on Leek’s 5 metre line led to a successful drive over the line and Sandbach scored their opening try. The conversion missed but at 10-8, the game was in the balance.
Leek then successfully kept hold of the ball as the 3 players served their 10 minutes, returning to full strength on 55 minutes. The Moorlanders had a chance on the Sandbach 5 metre line but the throw wasn’t straight. The resulting scrum though, gave up a knock on, still in the Sandbach 22 and Leek won 2 penalties as the scrums dropped in the front row. Sandbach’s captain was warned and at the next lineout, Joel Booth was held up on the line, following a good drive. Advantage was being played however and so another chance from the lineout led to a superb driving maul which allowed Joe Gorman to crash over for Leek’s 2nd try on 70 minutes. Joe Byrne missed the conversion and Leek moved out to 15-8. Sandbach’s No. 8 was yellow carded for bringing the maul down.
On 76 minutes, Sandbach kicked deep into Leek’s 22 and at the ensuing tackle, Billy Kidd turned the ball over. His pass to Joe Byrne saw the youngster sprint and step his way inside the Sandbach 22. He won a penalty for a high tackle and he converted himself to put Leek into an 18-8 lead with 77 minutes on the running clock.
Still Sandbach tried to pin Leek in their 22 and a kick led to Sam Brereton collecting the ball and making a great break on the left but his pass to opposite wing Kin Critchlow was intercepted and the Sandbach wing scored a try in the right corner on 83 minutes. The conversion missed and the score tightened to 18-13.
Sandbach pressed with the final attack but a near interception by Rob McDermott ended the game and elation for Leek winning their first game at this level.

Opening games of season aren’t normally classics as players get reacquainted with competitive league rugby and both sides will take a lot of learnings from this fixture.
Both teams have tough games next week with Sandbach welcoming Blackburn and Leek travelling to Rossendale to face Dennis Solomona and Byron McGuigan, to name but two former first class professional players in the Lancashire club’s squad.
Next home fixture at St Edward’s Park is on Saturday 16th September when Blackburn visit for the first time. Please come down and support the team.

The 2nd team visited Eccleshall on their first day in the English club championships playing in Midlands Counties 3 West North. Leading 5-14 at the half, they couldn’t maintain their effort as the home side fought back to win 26-14.

This Saturday, 9th September, the 2s have their first home league game against Cleobury Mortimer, so if you’re not travelling to Rossendale, please come down and support the 2s.

Author: John McDermott