Leek were well supported on a blustery autumn day at Hartwell Lane. Due to unavailablity of Fowler any Andy Green Leek started with the same front row as last week with James Newby and Andy Mcfadden in the second row along with Luke Grainger and Adam Nettel on the flanks with Dave Ackerley at number 8 , jake Green remained at scrum half alongside Gary Mcdermott and Dave Kenaway and returning Ian Harris in the centres with veteran Dave Cobley on one wing and George Hunt on the other , this allowed Sam Hunt to return to full back.

It was clear from the kick off that Stoke had a powerful and well drilled pack , for the first 15 minutes Leek were unable to get beyond the half way line and had to defend well on their try line . Leek weathered the storm and on 20 minutes Leek were awarded a penalty which Mcdermott dually converted.

Shortly after James Wilson replaced the injured Kenaway . On 22 minutes whilst on the half way line after a quickly taken penalty by the Stoke Scrum half and some poor defensive tackling by Leek he was able to weave his way to the try line to score under the posts, the conversion was subsequently converted.

For the next 15 minutes the game became expansive from both sides with some good defensive work from Leek, however on 38 minutes prop, Milner was sin binned for 10 minutes. Prior to half time Stoke were awarded a line out in the attacking 5 metre and from quick throw to the front man he went over and scored in the corner, the conversion was missed.

Immediately from the kick off Leek commenced a positive piece of play and were awarded a penalty on the stroke of half time which again Mcdermott converted. This allowed Leek to go in at half time 12 to 6 down but within touching distance.

The second half was going to be difficult as they playing against a strong breeze and with Milner still sin binned . For the first 10 minutes again Leek defended in their corner. On 54 minutes ex Leek player Cartlidge went over and scored their third try which was again converted.

On 62 minutes subs Luke Staton and Luke Hardern replaced Futcher and Mcfadden in the pack which allowed Grainger to go to hooker , this appeared to provided some weight to the pack and from a resulting passage of play scrum half Green jinked his way through to score to allow Mcdermot to convert.

For the next few minutes Leek were putting Stoke under greater pressure , however their experienced pack began to consolidate and slow the game down and minutes from the end went over to score and convert their fourth bonus try to finish the game 26 to 13 as winners .This was not Leek’s best display of the season.

After the game head coach Ian Gittens said " Leek have come along way in the past 2 years, we have performed very well in the early games however today was an off day with some good performances from Stoke half back pair".

Leek 1XV have a free league weekend this Saturday , however their will be games played at F Ball park this weekend , please come along and support. Leek 1XV next home game is on Saturday 23 October 2010.

Author Mark Hardern