Unstoppable Leek romp home against title rivals
LEEK returned home to Esterchem Park on Saturday and gave their supporters a real treat for their money with a scintillating display against third-placed Moseley Oak.
The visitors were themselves still challenging for the title and on a nine-game winning streak, stretching back to November when they defeated Leek at Billesley Common by 38-28.
A five try haul before MO were on the scoreboard sealed a fantastic afternoon’s rugby with one to 18 all making a telling contribution to the win.
The backs remained unchanged from their last game with Joe Byrne, Sam Brereton and Jack Newton Taylor making up the back 3. Centres Rob Mcdermott and James Floyd were joined by the half back pairing of Will Midwinter and Liam Mcdermott.
Lee Williams, captain Ed Cheadle and Joe Newton Taylor were in the front row with the 2 Joels, Hine and Booth at lock. Ollie Powell was at No.8 with George Hunt and Luke Staton making his first start for over two years for the 1sts on the flanks.
Ollie Drew, Ben Barlow and Bobby Cheadle made up the bench.
On a perfect day for rugby with a firm pitch, the game kicked off with immense anticipation and it didn’t fail to deliver with the Moorlanders on the board inside three minutes.
An early penalty enabled Leek to kick for the lineout on their left on the MO 5 metre line. A good catch and drive set up Joel Hine to peel off the side and crash over for the score in the left corner. The conversion from Will Midwinter missed but Leek led early.
The feature of the game was the immense defensive effort by all the Leek players. Try as they might, MO couldn’t break a determined defensive blue and white line in the first half and on 14 minutes, great tackling in midfield set Liam Mcdermott off into the MO half.
He kicked to near the MO line where the bounce caused a fumble by the defence and Sam Brereton was on hand to collect and score on the left. The conversion missed again but Leek doubled their lead.
Four minutes later a huge Garryowen caught Joe Byrne out and his knock on gave MO a scrum deep in Leek’s 22. A penalty then came and option for lineout was taken but as the ball sped left, Leek’s backs were quick to reduce the space and the ball was eventually passed directly into touch and Leek cleared their lines.
On 26 minutes, Leek won a turnover and quick ball saw Leek move into MO’S 22.
Byrne kicked towards touch and MO conceded the lineout.
This time, the distance was perhaps 15 metres, but it didn’t stop the Leek pack driving over the line for Joel Booth to touchdown on the right for the third Leek try. Midwinter still didn’t find his aim for the conversion, but Leek extended the lead to 150.
On 36 minutes, Joe Byrne received a clearance kick on the left. He passed to Rob Mcdermott outside the MO 22. He kicked the ball forward, but MO kicked it back only for James Floyd to collect and make a break on the left before passing to Jack Newton Taylor who went in unopposed on the left for the bonus point try. The conversion was good, and Leek were up to 22-0.
As the half reached the end Leek were camped under the MO posts and looked to have a great chance to score again but a penalty allowed MO to kick out and end the half with a mountain to climb as Leek dominated the scoreboard.
Five minutes into the second half, Leek scored their fifth try after a scrum on halfway. Rob Mcdermott made a break and Midwinter kicked deep into the MO 22. Man of the match
George Hunt won the ball on the ground and after a series of rucks near the line, the ball sped out for Joe Byrne to score on the left. Midwinter converted and at 29-0 with 35 minutes to go, the scoreline was scarcely believable.
The game then settled into the pattern of MO trying to break through the Leek defence and coming up short despite throwing everything at the line, and it wasn’t until the 73rd minute that Leek finally gave up a point, when the left wing scored after determined carries by the loose forwards near the line. He crashed over and the conversion was good. 29-7.
Two further tries came the visitors’ way as they played their way out of their own half with Leek conceding penalties to give MO the position for the forwards to mount sustained attacks. They deserved their scores for never giving up and are to be congratulated on the contribution to a great match, ably refereed by Shaun Godfrey.
The win lifts Leek to 77 points having played 17 games.
Walsall remain second after a bonus point win against Longton. They have 70 points and Moseley Oak retain third on 60 points having played one match fewer.
This week Leek travel to Newcastle in a double header league and Staffs intermediate Cup semi-final. Kick off 3pm.