Today's match report strays from the normal format. Recent difficulties at the club have prevented the Firsts from fielding their strongest team and the men who travelled to Leek were a mixture of old hands and others from lower teams who were asked to step up and travel to a place where we have taken a couple of hidings in recent times. Leek is not a popular venue because of the distance and because we always get a hard time up there.

Nevertheless, Oz got the boys together and they lost 84-17. Eighty four points is a lot but, in the context of 84 points, so is 17. When a match result starts with 84 the other number is usually nil: but not on this occasion. We scored two tries through Zac Loffman and a flying Welsh winger called Conah Davies and Joe Knibbs kicked two conversions and a penalty.

I spoke to the lads who came back to the club on Saturday and they were buoyant. They certainly felt they had done themselves justice and had had a good time. Up front they had more than held their own but the Leek backs had our measure and beat us on the outside rather often. This was because our backline consisted of as many forwards as recognised backs and they could not be expected to cope with what was thrown at them.

Congratulations to Andy Jacobs who, as a back row player, made his first team debut on the wing and Sam Bradley on the other wing; we were obviously making good use of their height. Two short blokes with big hearts. Matt Turner, a back rower, played centre with Darren Hamilton and, behind them, Joe Williams ploughed a particularly impressive furrow. The incomparable Mickey Watts and Joe Knibbs made up the half backs.

Up front we had Zac Loffman, Lea Ross, leading from the front as ever, and the redoubtable Steve Knibbs in the front row. Lewis Cooksey and Dan Latsun put in a shift in the second row and the back row were Imran Ebden, Conah Davies and the ever reliable Paul Bradley. This bloke would play for the club in the Tenth Team on the top of Everest, if asked and, in this respect, he is an example to everybody at the Club As a bunch of forwards they exerted great pressure at times on Leek with a strong pick and drive game and a solid scrum and line out. Organising all this from the touchline was Oz Horrocks to whom we are much indebted for his commitment and ability. Well done to everybody who travelled including the replacements (Steve Roberts et al) but special thanks to those who stepped up from the Seconds and Thirds. The Club has reason to be proud of you all.

I also went to see the Colts on Sunday and it was a thoroughly rewarding way to spend a couple of hours They pulled off a splendid victory over Willenhall by 27-11 in a most entertaining manner. Particular mention should be made of Ethan and Chevel who both scored tries but it was an impressive show by all. These lads will make a great contribution to the First Team in the not too distant future. They play on Sunday afternoons and will have two o'clock kick offs. Turn up and support them.

At the moment, however, the Club has some problems and everybody needs to pull together. There are too many people who are not properly reliable, people who want to choose the team they play in and turn up when it suits them and people who have not yet paid their membership.

This needs to stop immediately as the Club can make no progress while this is happening. There has been a clearing of the decks this week and it gives us an opportunity to build something new and good. We can take this opportunity or we can pass it up. Everybody needs to resolve to give more. What can you do for the Club? How can you be helpful? "Am I doing all I can?" That is the question you should ask yourself when you look in the mirror because too much is being left to Glyn and Sam and your captains. I am looking for people who want to help the Club in any way whatsoever. We need to get this right, now, so if you are able to volunteer a bit of time and effort, have a chat with me, Glyn or Sam and we will find you something to do.

Thanks
Brian Kelly