Leek’s survival at Regional 1 level was confirmed on Saturday with their best display of the season against a Northwich side looking for a win to help secure their status too. However, it was the Moorlanders, playing some superlative rugby at times, that took the honours.
The side and bench were unchanged from last week with Jack Newton Taylor, Kin Critchlow and Sam Brereton starting in the back 3 with James Floyd and Will Midwinter in the centres. Joe Byrne and Rob McDermott were at half back. Ollie Powell, Ed Cheadle and Joe Newton Taylor started in the front row with Luke Hardern and Joel Booth at lock. Tom Hayes, Joe Gorman and Goerge Hunt made up the backrow with Lee Williams, Noah Reaney and Joel Hine on the bench.

On a blustery, showery day at Altrad Park, but on a good firm surface, the scene was set for a really tight game, given the two sides had played the return fixture only a few weeks ago with Northwich winning with the last play of the game by 34-31.
The visitors started strongly, retaining the ball and scoring a penalty on 12 minutes for offside. 0-3.
3 minutes later and Leek’s first real attack resulted in a James Floyd try after a lineout win on the left and then Joe Gorman and ollie Powell too the ball on to within 5 metres before Rob McDermott found a beautiful pass to the onrushing Floyd to score. Will Midwinter converted and Leek led 7-3.
5 minutes later and from a scrum on their own 10 metre line, Gorman picked up at the base and the quick passing gave Will Midwinter the opportunity to feed Kin Critchlow. The youngster darted over and with Will Midwinter converting Leek led 14-3.
Northwich pulled 3 points back on 25 minutes when Leek was penalised for dipping into the tackle, 14-6, but Will Midwinter scored a penalty on 29 minutes as the Northwich defence strayed offside and restored the 11-point lead at 17-6.
On 35 minutes, James Floyd scored his 2nd try after Rob McDermott made a superb break splitting the defence open and a simple pass to beat the last defender left the powerful centre with a run in. Midwinter converted and Leek led 24-6.
The half ended with Leek adding the 4th and crucial try bonus point. A clearance kick into Leek’s half allowed the backs to counter down the left with Floyd, Brereton and finally Critchlow shrugging off a challenge to run in by the posts for his 2nd and Leek’s 4th try. Will Midwinter converted and at the break, Leek held a commanding 31-6 lead.

The 2nd half started with Northwich coming straight back into the game with a try 3 minutes in. A penalty and then a lineout on Leek’s 5 metre line led to a series of rucks near the Leek line before a visiting forward crashed over for the score. The conversion was good, and the score was 31-13.
Leek hit back on 50 minutes and after Joe Byrne switched the ruck phases right, he found Will Midwinter. The centre jinked his way past a couple of defenders and an inside ball to Byrne led to his try. Midwinter converted and Leek led 38-13.
On 58 minutes Jack Newton Taylor was yellow carded for a high tackle but it was Leek that continued to press and scored 2 tries in the next 10 minutes as the backs and forwards combined to outflank the visitors. Ollie Powell scored on 66 minutes under the posts after a superb Will Midwinter break who left defenders in his wake as the move sped to the Northwich 5 metre line. Finally, James Floyd offloaded in the tackle to Powell who scored his first try of the season. Will Midwinter converted and Leek were up to 45-13.
3 minutes later and Kin Critchlow scored his 3rd try of the day after some great passing and final surge from Sam Brereton. He offloaded in the tackle and Critchlow scored. Midwinter converted and Leek moved to 52-13. On 72 minutes, Critchlow scored his 4th try after the Leek team returned the kick off without losing possession and although Midwinter failed to convert at 57-13, Northwich needed to get hold of the ball to stem the tide against a rampant home side at this stage. Sure enough on78 minutes, after Leek conceded 2 penalties the visitors got on the scoreboard with a try and conversion, confirming they were still trying hard to compete. 57-20. However, Leek was not to be denied a 9th try and from the kick off, great running again by Sam Brereton then led to Billie Kidd rounding off the try scoring by the posts. Will Midwinter converted and the referee blew for no side with Leek winning 64-20.

The Leek crowd was euphoric as their team had finally put it all together and come away with a convincing performance and win. The whole squad and coaching team are to be congratulated on sticking with the plan, eking out bonus points in the last 2 games before giving themselves this opportunity to retain league status.
With Sandbach losing at Rossendale, it means there is no pressure on the final league game when the Moorlanders visit Sandbach on April 6th. However, no doubt, the squad will want to end their league campaign with a great performance for themselves and their support, so please get over to Sandbach and give the boys a real lift as they close out the season.

In the meantime, this Friday, Good Friday, March 29th, Leek will be hosting Lichfield in the Staffordshire Senior Cup semi-final.
Kick-off is at 1pm. Yes, it’s early.
Please come down and give the team your support as they bid to win a place in the Staffordshire Cup Final for only the 2nd time in their history.

Author: J. McDermott

Leek 2nds had a convincing win by 86-0 against Aldridge and they close out their excellent season with a home game against Eccleshall on April 6th.

Plenty of Papa John cup action in April with Leek away at Scunthorpe on April 13th before hosting Sandbach on April 20th and then travelling to Doncaster Phoenix on April 27th , those two clubs play in the Regional 1 North east league.

Happy Easter to everyone at the club.