Derby Day Disappointment

Saturday 17th February 2024

Regional 1 North West league

Macclesfield- 41

Leek - 5

Leek visited promotion chasing Macclesfield RUFC, this was the first time Leek 1st XV had played Macclesfield at this level, since the commencement of league rugby union over 35 years ago. Prior to the game Leek under 9 played Macclesfield U9s and then acted as match day mascots as part of the local atmosphere to the game. At Kick off the weather was dry but the pitch was not the best, being very wet and boggy which got worse as the rains came 30 minutes into the game and at the end of the game it was difficult to see both sides – see pictures attached.

Leek had a couple of changes from the previous week, the front row again commenced with Lee Williams, Ed Cheadle [C] and Ollie Powell, with Joel Hine and Joel Booth starting at 2nd row with the back row as in the past game Billy Kidd, George Hunt and Joe Gorman. In the back line the team again started with Joe Byrne at scrum half with Will Midwinter moving to fly half with Jack Newton Taylor and the returning Josh Nadin coming back into the centre role. Sam Brereton and Kini Critchlow were on the wings and experienced Rob McDermott starting at full back and returning to play at Macclesfield, a team he played for over 15 yrs ago.

From the KO Leek commenced strongly however it soon became clear due to the conditions Macclesfield scrum were to be the powerhouse, to allow the ball to move into the hands of some swift moving backs as the conditions allowed for no errors or missed tackles. In the first 25 minutes Leek were 4 tries behind at 22-0 with Macclesfield playing the pitch conditions better. At this time the rains arrived and Leek rose to the challenge playing some controlled and phased rugby against the potential champions with young winger, Critchlow, going over in the corner to score. The difficult conversion was just missed but at this time Leek were asking questions of Macclesfield and its many spectators. Half time arrived with the score at 22-5 with Leek still in the game. Again from the start of the 2nd half with the conditions worsening Leek had another 20 minute purple patch with all replacements coming on Joe Newton Taylor, Noah Reaney and Tom Hayes with Newton Taylor providing more ballast to the scrum. Unfortunately his brother, Jack had to leave the field with a leg injury. During this period Leek Pressed the Macc Line but were unable to break some excellent defence and on 60 mins Macc again scored a try and converted to move the score to 29-5. Leek again kept trying to put phases together and placed Macc under pressure testing their skills however in the last 5 minutes of the game they again scored 2 further tries to take the final score to 41-5 .

Macclesfield are presently sitting at the top of the table after other contenders Rossendale lost.

Leek remain in relegation battle but these past few weeks need to take heart as there is nothing much in the games, with all to play for.

Further results from last Saturday with the 2nd XV losing to league leaders Aston Old Eds but the 2xv still remain in the top 4 and the 3rd XV had a great win against Longton 2nd XV and remain leaders in their merit league.

The 1st XV now have a weeks rest, returning to Altrad Park, Cheddleton on Saturday 2nd March – 3pm v Stockport for a big game.

This coming Saturday the 6 nations games will be shown from 1:45pm at the club and any person who knew ex player /coach and honorary member David Hunt, we invite you to join friends and family at the club for celebration of David’s life, as he would wish. Leek Colts will also be playing Burton Colts -KO times yet to be finalised .

Please keep viewing the club website and social media pages

Author: Mark Hardern