On Saturday Leek RUFC 1st XV entertained Anselmians RUFC, from the Wirral, at Altrad Park, Cheddleton. Both clubs have celebrated back to back promotions over the two previous seasons. After a last minute win for Leek in the previous fixture, back in October 2023. At present there is only a 12 point gap between 7th and 12th in the league with Anselmians and Leek within that group, so the game was to be tester for both clubs, who have had similar paths into the league.

Leek welcomed back some players from injury and unavailability for this game from the previous weeks heavy loss to title chasing Blackburn. The pack started with a front row containing Ollie Powell, Lee Williams and Ed Cheadle (captain). Locks Luke Hardern and Joel Booth were supported by a back row of George Hunt, Tom Hayes and Joe Gorman. At scrum half started Joe Byrne with Will Midwinter alongside and the centre partnership of Jack Newton Taylor and James Floyd. Wingers Sam Brereton and Kin Critchlow were supported by experienced Rob McDermott at Full back. On the bench this week were Bobby Cheadle, Driss Chouhaibi and Noah Reaney.

The game was played in dry /calm conditions, which has been a rare experience in recent weeks. Club sponsors Leek Building Society were in attendance. Initially Leek were unable to manage their first 3 lineouts and soon went 3 points behind to a penalty kick. From the kick off Leek were able to secure the ball which created a Leek line out, this time was won and created a rolling maul from about 20 metres. Scrum half Byrne took the ball from that maul and went on one of his mazy and darting runs to score the first try for Leek. Midwinter, as he did all afternoon, kicked extremely well from a difficult position to secure the conversation to take Leek to 7-3. For the next 5 minutes ANSEL were on the attack with some staunch defence by Leek, the away side were awarded another penalty in front of the posts which they slotted between the posts to move the score to 7-6. From the KO Leek were able to gather the ball with some lovely backs and forward play, passing the ball through hands, with Floyd turning on the gas down the wing which eventually caused another Leek line out, this was well won by Leek Forwards to create a crash over try by the pack, again Midwinter kicked well to move the score to 14-6.
At this stage Leeks style of play was entertaining for all to watch and as ANSEL were starting to clear their defence from 20 metres out, no 8 Gorman charged down the kick to gather the ball and score the Moorlanders 3rd try, Midwinter kicked the conversion, the team went 21-6 in front. This period of play provided the team with confidence as again from the KO, Leek gathered and spread the ball to young winger Critchlow, who offloaded in the tackle to Midwinter, he beat the opposition for pace, then with an inside pass found the hands of the returning Floyd to score a lovely well worked try. The conversion was again scored to move Leek to 28-6 and for the final 8 mins of the first half ANSEL tried in vain to get some points on the board but again some excellent defence from the Leek team held up the ANSEL attack right on HT, however Powell was sin binned for a team penalty.

It was key that the half time team talk from coaches Booth and Appleyard kept the squad focused and disciplined as ANSEL were a strong unit and were competing well. Immediately from the KO Leek secured the ball with joint player of the match, Byrne, going on a 30 metre darting run which created panic in the defence, eventually Leek won a line out which had now settled after the initial few mins of the game. The ball was worked into the hands of centre Floyd, to bag his second try (photo attached), again dependable fly half, Midwinter scored the conversion to take the lead to 35-6.

From the KO, Leek retained the ball and this time Midwinter broke the ANSEL defensive line and moved the ball to marauding prop Powell, who broke several tackles to pass to winger Critchlow to race clear and score a fast flowing try in the corner, unfortunately Midwinter was unable to make it 100% for his kicks on this one but Leek were now 40-6 in front.
ANSEL for the next period came back into the game as they were on the attack and throwing everything at Leek eventually scoring with a forwards try and conversion to move the score to 40-13. Leek re grouped and with quick hands found Jack Newton-Taylor who ran a superb line through the visitors backline drawing the final defender and then finding the hands of winger Critchlow to again score (picture attached). Midwinter (pic attached) successfully converted to take the score to 47–13.
For the final 10 mins the game became scrappy with ANSEL losing their discipline and Leek having to stay controlled, eventually ANSEL scored and converted giving a final score 47-20 to Leek. This moved the home side up to 9th in the table with a run of fixtures against teams in the bottom half of the league to follow.

Team captain and joint player of the match, Ed Cheadle said after the game “This was an excellent squad performance after a few tough weeks, we now need to continue the work in training and keep pushing for a run of wins to ensure we give ourselves a good chance in a challenging new league for the club“.

The 1st XV are away this Saturday at Northwich RUFC 2:15pm KO, for a re-arranged game, all support is appreciated by the squad.
Leek 2nd XV are at Home this Saturday at Altrad Park v Aldridge -2:15pm KO.

In other games 2nd XV and 3rd XV had narrow losses v Trentham 1ss XV and Penkridge 1st XV respectively.

Please keep viewing the club website and social media sites for all club updates.

Author: Mark Hardern