First-half rampage sees Leek win double-header
Newcastle ...................... 12 Leek ............................... 45
LEEK came through a tough second half challenge at Lilleshall Road to continue their push for the league title with four games to play - as well as booking their place in the Staffs Intermediate Cup final in this league and cup double header.
Joe Byrne, Jack Newton Taylor and Sam Brereton made up the young back three and a new centre partnership was forged with Tom Scragg and Adam Varley as Rob Mcdermott moved to fly half with brother Liam at scrum half.
Bobby Cheadle, Ed Cheadle and Lee Williams started in the front row with Joel Booth and Joel Hine at lock. Ollie Powell was No.8 with Luke Staton and a returning Billy Kidd on the flanks.
Ben Barlow, Joe Newton Taylor and Ollie Drew were on the bench.
The game kicked off on a windy afternoon with the elements favouring Leek and the team put in a workmanlike performance to effectively kill the game with a five-try first half haul as Newcastle battled to stay with the Moorlanders.
Billy Kidd was scoring the first try on four minutes, under the posts after great continuity between backs and forwards before Rob Mcdermott and Bobby Cheadle combined to give Kidd the ball.
Liam Mcdermott converted, and Leek led. Four minutes later, skipper Ed Cheadle was at the back of the driving maul from a lineout to score the second try on the right.
The conversion was good, and Leek were up to 14-0.
On 18 minutes, the forwards were in unstoppable mode as they drove upfield, deep into the Newcastle 22 and as space opened up, Adam Varley sprinted through for the third try under the posts. Mcdermott converted.
Try as they might Newcastle couldn’t break the strong Leek defence and on 32 minutes, a scrum outside Newcastle’s 22 on the left saw good hands right and with Sam Brereton coming into the line from the blind wing, he created the overlap for Jack Newton Taylor to sprint in for the fourth try. Mcdermott converted again and Leek led 28-0.
The half ended with a fifth try, this time from left wing Sam Brereton after a superb pick up from Joe Byrne, following a lineout on Newcastle’s 22.
The conversion just slipped under the bar as the half ended with Leek in control.
In contrast, the second half mainly belonged to Newcastle, as the home side rallied and – led by their excellent loose forwards – started to win ground and penalties.
On 47 minutes, choosing to scrum on Leek’s five-metre line, the defence held but was penalised again and a quick penalty and passing left was enough for the overlap and try. The conversion was good, and Newcastle were on the board at 33-7.
Nine minutes later, and after good play and ball retention, Newcastle scored their second try, again after Leek were penalised twice in quick succession. The Newcastle forwards were quick to get on the front foot and the passing left gave another overlap and the try.
This time the conversion missed but there was hope for more tries from the hosts.
Leek needed to steady the ship, but Ed Cheadle was shown a yellow card on 61 minutes as Leek continued to infringe.
However, this incident worked in Leek’s favour as the side pulled together and Adam Varley burst through tackles to make a solid break up the middle on 67 minutes.
His offload to wing Sam Brereton saw the left wing score his second try. Rob Mcdermott converted to make it 40-12.
On 77 minutes, Leek won two penalties as they pressed on Newcastle’s 22 and opted for the lineout.
This time, Joel Booth was on hand at the back of the strong driving maul to crash over for the seventh try. The conversion missed, but Leek led 12-45 and the game ended two minutes later in midfield.
It had been a game of two halves with Newcastle showing strong commitment and smart play in the second, but Leek’s first half performance was clinical and confident despite the changes.
There is now a week’s break before the next game
Leek sit top with 82 points from 18 games, Walsall are second with 75 points and Moseley Oak third with 65 points from 17 games.
Their game in hand is this weekend away at Crewe and that should be a great game.
On March 26, the Moorlanders host Old Salts and Walsall host Moseley Oak on the same day. The results of both will give another hint as to the destiny of the title.
At the same time, this win also gave Leek a place in the Staffs Intermediate Cup final on Sunday, May 1 at Burton where they will play Walsall.
That is a mouth-watering game to savour and both sets of supporters will be out in force to watch their sides battle for the cup.