Champions Leek sign off with narrow away defeat

LEEK ended their league campaign with a disappointing performance at Wigginton Park – where a revitalised home side deservedly signed off on a high.

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. George Hunt and Billy Kidd were on the flanks with Joel Hine at No.8.

Liam Mcdermott, Simon Drew and debutant Jared Leftwich made up the bench.

Leek started strongly and camped on Tamworth’s five-metre line on four minutes looking to open the scoring but Joel Booth was yellow carded as he drove into the ruck.

Two minutes later and Will Midwinter missed a penalty attempt after Tamworth strayed offside. Tamworth got into the game after Leek was penalised at the scrum for losing the binding and the kick was good as the hosts opened the scoring on 13 minutes.

On 19 minutes a Leek penalty had the Moorlanders driving but Lee Williams was held up over the line and then Tamworth won another penalty for offside on 25 minutes which was duly converted to double the lead to 6-0.

On 31 minutes Leek were again deep in the Tamworth 22. Tamworth conceded penalties as Leek drove for the line and both Tamworth flankers were yellow carded for separate offences in the red zone.

Another penalty and Ollie Drew took a quick tap but strong defence held the scum half up over the line.

As the half entered added time Leek finally got on the score sheet as another penalty led to a driving maul on the left.

This time it was successful as Joel Booth crashed over for the opening try. The conversion missed and the half ended with Tamworth holding a 6-5 lead.

Possession and territory had been mostly Leek’s in the first half but solid defence and not enough patience meant the Moorlanders would need to up their game to overcome a determined host. The game turned on 50 minutes. Firstly, there was a fracas at which the referee warned both captains.

Tamworth scrummaged on Leek’s five-metre line, won a penalty, elected to scrum again.

As the ball came out frantic defence led to another penalty and then it looked as if the danger had passed as Leek defended 10 metres out, but the referee was playing advantage and awarded a penalty try on 56 minutes.

At the kick off, Liam Mcdermott was red carded as he contested the ball in the air with the Tamworth flanker and this incident spurred Leek to a quicker tempo and opened the game up.

A penalty for in at the side of the ruck allowed Midwinter to score a penalty on 60 minutes reducing the lead to 13-8 and then on 64 minutes, Leek turned over the ball in the Tamworth 22, the ball sped wide left, and Sam Brereton went over for the Moorlanders’ second try.

Midwinter converted and unbelievably Leek took the lead for the first time at 15-13.

On 70 minutes, a missed tackle in centre field allowed a free run for the line for the young Tamworth centre and although the conversion was missed, a dropped pass, on 72 minutes, trying to run the ball out, led to a third Tamworth try which was converted.

Still Leek tried to run the ball and good pressure led to their third try on 77 minutes after a good lineout and quick rucking led to a stretched defence.

Midwinter stepped inside and scored by the posts. His conversion closed the gap to 27-22 and four minutes were left to salvage the game.

Try as they might though, Tamworth contained Leek to their own half and the game ended with frustration all round from the visitors.

A mention for 18-year-old Jared Leftwich who made his debut in the forwards, coming on for 10 minutes.

He has been a superb trainer this season and his dedication has won himself a place in the first team squad. Well done to Jared and his family support.

Leek have one game to go as this Sunday at Burton RUFC they will contest the Staffordshire Intermediate Cup final against closest league rivals Walsall, kick off 3.30pm.

Please come over and support the team as they end their superb season as champions of Midlands 2 West (N) and will compete, along with Walsall, in the new level six region next season against opponents like Dronfield, Long Eaton, Leicester Forest, Wolverhampton, Sutton Coldfield to name a few.

Finally, Leek 2nds won at secondplaced Whitchurch 2nds by 17-40 on Saturday and won their league, NOWIRUL 3 (South) and will be promoted to 2 South.