Leek recover from injury blow to chalk up cup win
LEEK Rugby Club’s first team - along with others in the Midland League Two West (N) - took a a break from league action this week so the two remaining Staffordshire Imtermediate Cup first round matches could be played.
Newcastle beat Stafford 39-3 which doubled up as a league and cup fixture, while Leek visited Wiggington Park for the second time this season to take on Tamworth, currently lying second in Midlands 2 West (N).
Having lost that earlier league fixture on a day of quite appalling weather, it is good to report that the Moorlanders’ return to form continues after last week’s win against Camp Hill.
Beating Tamworth by three tries to two and gaining a place in the semi-final will give Leek further confidence as the second half of the league season continues.
In benign weather conditions, Leek had an early chance to score after two minutes when they won a penalty at the scrum as the pack drove the home side back. From the lineout in Tamworth’s 22 on the left, a good catch and drive was stopped by the defence near the line and then as the ball came wide an unlucky knockon meant Tamworth could clear.
A few minutes later, young lock Jake Hartley, enjoying his first season playing regularly in the side, suffered a neck injury and was replaced by another Leek youngster and having a great season, Lewis Dunleavy.
On 11 minutes, Leek did score after a mix-up in the Tamworth backs led to an offside decision. The kick for the lineout on the right deep in Tamworth’s 22, led to a catch and drive and Joe Newton -Taylor crashed over at the back of the maul for the first try of the game. His brother Jack failed with the conversion, but Leek deservedly led 5-0.
Leek continued to dominate territory and possession and on 23 minutes the forwards were pressing on Tamworth’s five-metre line again after a strong run from wing Tom Scragg.
However, the ball squirmed out of the ruck and the alert Tamworth 10 kicked ahead. With Leek committed forward he kicked ahead again and only skipper Luke Hardern could get near to saving the situation, but the scrum-half in support took the ball on and scored under the posts. The conversion was good and Tamworth led 7-5 at half-time.
Leek started the second half strongly and scored their second try on 45 minutes. A dropped ball by Leek led to Will Graham pouncing on it to retain possession on the left on Tamworth’s 22. The continuity by the forwards had Leek near the Tamworth line. A couple of drives were stopped near the line before Ollie Drew tried the blind side. Two passes later and Kini Buli just touched down in the left corner as he was tackled. Newton-taylor’s conversion missed, but Leek retook the lead at 10-7.
Tamworth started applying some pressure as the final quarter began and the centres Nick Palmer and Will Graham were superb at and over the tackle as they competed strongly for the ball.
On 62 minutes, only a lastditch tackle by Jack Newtontaylor on the flying left wing prevented a Tamworth try on the left after their backs worked an overlap and then within two minutes Leek hit the home side with a third try after some great hands and passing support on the left led Jack Newton-taylor to step inside a couple of tackles. The back row arrived and the continuity led George Hunt to collect a pass and drive for the line and score. Isaac Reaney converted well and Leek extended their lead to 17-7 on 65 minutes.
It then took another 10 minutes for Tamworth to wrest the initiative and exert pressure through their forwards near the Leek line. Several waves of big forwards created a couple of penalties close to the Leek line and eventually as the game entered added time the try came with a great drive though the defence.
The conversion was good and at 14-17, the referee signalled three minutes more time to play.
Leek tried to hold Tamworth in their own half, but the home backs broke down the left and then won a penalty for a high tackle. The kick for the line was outside the Leek 22 on the left but Leek won the ball and kicked dead to hold on to win the game.
This weekend, Leek, in sixth place travel Crewe in fifth. Kick-off is at 2.15pm.
The semi-final of the Staffordshire Cup is scheduled for Saturday, February 23.
Leek will be hoping for a home fixture when the draw is made against either Wolverhampton, Newcastle or Walsall.