Leek v Willenhall Staffs Cup, Match Report

Interestingly, with Willenhall coming into Leek’s league, Midlands 2 West (N), having won the 3 West (N) league easily last season, it was going to be a good workout for both sides ahead of the first league game next week.

New scrum laws this season have been the main talking point in the close season and it is to be seen if they help Leek or not.
Coming into this game, Leek was without the services of 8 first team players, but with good depth in the squad and competition for places strong in most positions, the team taking to the field on Saturday was still experienced.

Bobby Cheadle, Ed’s brother, started at hooker with Jason Milner and Jamie Gordon at prop.
Tom Sims and Luke Hardern were at lock with Andy McFadden at No.8 and Luke Granger and Neil Edge on the flanks.
Ian Harris and skipper Gary McDermott were at half back with the Hunt brothers, George and Sam, in the centres. Nick Palmer and James Floyd were on the wings with Jack Newton-Taylor at fullback.
James Wilson, Liam McDermott and Ed Cheadle were on the bench.

The game was switched to the top field, 2nd team pitch because of continued cricket on the oval, but that didn’t stop Leek coming out of the blocks and pounding the Willenhall line for the first 10 minutes with rucks and passing and support play that had Willenhall frantically defending their line. After Sam Hunt missed an opening minute penalty, a Willenhall knock on put the visitors under pressure until they cleared the line and ran out of defence. McDermott stripped the ball on 7 minutes in midfield and quick hands and great support saw lock Luke Hardern crash over under the posts for the first try of the season. Sam Hunt converted and Leek had started well at 7-0.

On 14 minutes, Willenhall’s first foray into the Leek 22 saw Newton-Taylor yellow carded for not releasing and Willenhall’s fly half reduced the deficit with a well taken penalty. 7-3.
On 21 minutes, Leek had a lineout on the Willenhall 22. A clean catch and quick ball sent the backs wide to James Floyd. He set the ruck up deep in the Willenhall 22. A quick ruck in midfield sucked the defence in and left space for Nick Palmer to score a try in the left corner. Hunt’s conversion missed but leek was up to 12-3 as Newton-Taylor came back onto the pitch.

3 minutes later and Luke Hardern was on the charge again and won a penalty for not releasing in the tackle but Hunt’s attempt drifted wide, but 2 minutes later, Leek’s retention of the ball from the drop out and subsequent quick rucking and speed of support saw George Hunt take a soft pass and burst under the posts for Leek’s 3rd try. Brother Sam converted and at 19-3 it was mostly one way traffic.
Willenhall were beginning to find their feet as the half wound down and better defence and retention of the ball saw them not conceding again before the break.

At half time, Ed Cheadle came on to hook and brother Bobby moved to prop as Jamie Gordon was rested.
Willenhall had a chance to get back into the game on 46 minutes when they won a penalty 5 metres from the Leek line. Leek’s defence held the ball up but then a 2nd scrum after Leek changed Luke Hardern for James Wilson in the 2nd row, saw the Willenhall open side flanker crash over for a deserved score. The conversion was good and at 19-10, the visitors were back in the game.

On 58 minutes, Liam McDermott came on for Sam Hunt, but it was Willenhall which now began to dominate possession with Leek’s indiscipline adding to the problem and on 67 minutes, another penalty from Willenhall’s fly half for offside meant Leek’s lead was now 19-13. Leek needed to regroup and reduce their error count. On 70 minutes, Luke Hardern and Jamie Gordon came back on and then from a clearance kick which was fielded inside their own 22, the Willenhall right wing collected a pass and started a great run evading several tackles before being hauled down by James Wilson midway inside the Leek half. The ball was stripped as he became isolated and quick hands from the Leek backs saw Jack Newton –Taylor go up the right wing, around the defending left wing and then outsprinting the fullback to go under the posts.

McDermott converted and at 26-13, Leek had steadied the position.
On 76 minutes, Leek had a lineout on the Willenhall 22 and after a ruck, quick ball to McDermott saw James Wilson on the burst with a nice angle to score under the posts. McDermott converted and at 33-13 the game was beyond the visitors now. McDermott added a 79th minute penalty to complete the scoring at 36-13 and 5 tries to the good, it was a decent enough performance by Leek on the opening day. For sure, both sides benefitted from a competitive workout with more important games to come over the next 2 weeks in the league.

In the other preliminary round of the Staffs senior cup, Stafford beat Tamworth 40-15.
This means the quarter final draw is complete as follows;

Leek v Burton
Lichfield v Wolverhampton
Stafford v Walsall
Stoke v Longton
Matches to be played before end of 2013.

In the North Midlands Cup 1st round, 2 interesting results involving 4 teams in Leek’s league this season ended thus;
Ludlow 9 – 11 Old Satleians
Camp Hill 30 – 32 Moseley Oak

Next Saturday, Leek 1st XV entertain Old Saltleians in the first league fixture of the season. Kick-off is at 3pm on the top field.
Please park at the club house car park.
Club will be open from 1pm, so please come along and support the team.

The rest of September sees Leek away at Stafford on the 21st in the league and then on the 28th, Leek entertains Dronfield in the RFU Intermediate Cup. This game will be on the Oval, kick off 3pm. It is also the Autumn beer festival weekend, so please make the effort to come along, support the club and enjoy the rugby.