Leek celebrating after winning title and promotion in victory

Leek .......................................... 52 Stafford ..................................... 28

LEEK clinched the Midlands 2 West (N) title in their final home league match, with a game to spare.

Whatever happens on the final Saturday, the Moorlanders cannot be overtaken and so for only the second time in their history, Leek will take its place at Level Six in the rugby hierarchy next season.

Joe Byrne, Sam Brereton and Jack Newton Taylor were the starting back three, with Rob Mcdermott and James Floyd in the centre. Ollie Drew and Will Midwinter were at half back.

Bobby Cheadle, skipper Ed Cheadle and Lee Williams were in the front row and Ben Barlow joined Joel Booth at lock. Ollie Powell and Bill Kidd were on the flanks with Joel Hine at No.8.

George Hunt, Joe Newton Taylor and Luke Hardern made up the strong bench.

A short snow shower preceded a one minute’s applause for fallen former Ukraine captain and president of the Ukraine Rugby Football Union, Oleksi Tsybko.

The skies brightened and Esterchem Park was ready for its final chapter this season.

Within the first minute, a clearance kick from Stafford found Joe Byrne on his own 22. The young full back gathered, looked up and proceeded to glide in and out, past five defenders and score a magnificent try under the posts. Will Midwinter added the conversion and Leek were on their way at 7-0.

From the kick off though, the Leek centres were caught offside and the young Stafford fly-half coolly slotted the penalty to reduce the lead to 7-3.

The next kick off saw another error, this time from Stafford as they tried to pass their way out of trouble on their own five-metre line. The ball was dropped, and Billy Kidd pounced on it and scored a simple try. Midwinter converted and doubled Leek’s score.

The early match scoring continued on eight minutes with Stafford scoring on the left after Leek were penalised at the lineout allowing the visitors to have their own lineout in Leek’s 22.

Good passing and an overlap saw the left wing score a good try. The conversion was superb, and 24 points had been scored in the opening eight minutes at 14-10.

On 13 minutes, a Stafford scrum in Leek’s half saw the ball squirt out of the side and Ollie Drew picked it up.

Ollie Powell took the ball on over halfway, moving the ball right to create an overlap for Billy Kidd to score his second try. Midwinter’s conversion was good, and Leek led 21-10.

Still the quick scoring continued as Stafford scored a penalty goal on 16 minutes as Leek were penalised for holding on.

On 23 minutes, Leek won a scrum in their own 22. Midwinter made the break and then got on the end of the passing move on Stafford’s 10 metre line before sprinting in for the fourth Leek try on the right. His own conversion missed.

Leek scored a fifth first half try on 31 minutes after a turnover on their 22 saw Jack Newton Taylor and Joe Byrne sprint away for the young fullback to score his second try. Midwinter converted.

Leek ended the half on the attack but couldn’t add to their score.

The second half opened well for Leek and perhaps the move of the match on 46 minutes led to Ollie Powell’s try in the right corner. Joe Byrne sprinted into the Stafford half and then support from Midwinter, Mcdermott and Newton Taylor with an inside offload to Powell saw a great score by the young flanker. Midwinter’s conversion pushed the score to 40-13.

Stafford were still playing some good rugby and on 51 minutes scored their second try on the left after strong retention and then a quick penalty allowed for the try. The conversion missed but at 40-18 Stafford were still in the game.

However, Joe Byrne’s third try on 59 minutes put the game beyond Stafford.

Sam Brereton and James Floyd combined and then Brereton again with Midwinter set up the pass to enable the fullback to score on the left.

The conversion was missed but Leek were up to 45-18.

Leek’s eighth and final try came on 68 minutes when Joe Newton Taylor crashed over from short range after some great rucking in the visitor’s 22. Joe Byrne converted and Leek led 52-18.

Stafford, to their credit, scored two late tries to deservedly take home a try bonus point. Both were the result of good passing and support but neither was converted.

There were some fantastic scenes at the end of the match as the team and supporters started celebrating early, and long into the night.

Special praise goes to head coach Joel Booth for his unstinting work, in this, his first year as a senior coach.

He has done a tremendous job with the ever-present Chris Mudd as assistant.

Skipper Ed Cheadle has also won praise for his dedication and leadership and together with the senior players and the youngsters, they have all given the Leek supporters something to be proud of.

One more game to go in the league on April 23 at Wigginton Park, Tamworth. This will also be a tough encounter as Tamworth picked up a great win at Crewe on Saturday.

Following that game, all eyes will be on Sunday, May 1 when the Staffs Intermediate Cup Final is played at Burton’s superb new facility on President’s Day.

Kick-off is 3.30pm with the Owen Cup final, Handsworth v Barton, kicking off at 1pm.

There is a coach leaving the clubhouse. Please contact Mark Hardern or Carol Fryer to book your place.