Defending their unbeaten home record against a Bridgnorth side recently bolstered by 3 signings, it was fair to say that the All Blacks started as favourites as recent Bridgnorth league form indicated a surge in performance and results.
Leek would have to be at their very best and remain focussed for the full 80 minutes in order to lift a cup that had been held by the likes of Lichfield and Stoke in the recent past.

Leek's top try scorer this season, James Floyd, was missing after his knee injury flared and there were doubts around scrum half, Ian Harris and No.8, Luke Staton which had been concerning the coaches all week. Fortunately, the 2 influential players passed fitness tests and took their places in the 22 man squad for what promised to be an unforgettable day in the club's history - and it didn't disappoint!
With Floyd absent, it meant Dan Smith started at full back and Sam Hunt moved to centre where he partnered Liam McDermott.
Nick Palmer and Jack Newton-Taylor were on the wings. Skipper Gary McDermott and Ian Harris were starting half backs.
Jason Milner, Bobby Cheadle and Tom Hine made up the front row with Ed Harrison and Tom Sims at lock. Andy McFadden and Ad Nettel were on the flanks with Luke Staton at No.8.
As this was a final, the sides were allowed 7 replacements on the bench and 12 change overs during the game.
Luke Granger, Luke Hardern, James Wilson, Neil Edge, Josh Mays Woodhead, Dan Needham and Naz Narawa gave Leek options that in a normal game wouldn't have been possible.

With Bridgnorth at full strength and some recent strong wins behind them, notably at Moseley Oak, the 2 sides were greeted onto the field by a huge crowd (approx. 600-700) and a guard of honour by Leek minis. The 'North was followed by some 200 travelling Shropshire supporters and the stage was set for a memorable final.

Esterchem Park was in superb condition as Bridgnorth kicked off and less than a minute later Gary McDermott was slotting the first points with a penalty goal for off feet at the ruck. 3-0.
6 minutes in and Bridgnorth's powerful eight was mauling Leek to its own 5 metre line, but Leek pinched the ball and was then penalised for holding on. Will Biddell, Bridgnorth's left wing slotted the equalising penalty at 3 all.
On 10 minutes, a promising Leek move saw Gary McDermott stepping past his opposite number and penetrating deep into the Bridgnorth 22, but an offside decision against Leek allowed Bridgnorth to clear. Little did anyone know at that moment that Leek wouldn't trouble the Bridgnorth 22 again until the 70th minute, as the visitors stepped up the pace.

Leek lost Ian Harris on 13 minutes, after aggravating his ankle injury and that brought Dan Needham into the action at scrum half. Bridgnorth was testing Leek's defence on 16 minutes and had a 3 on 1 over lap on the left but a superbly timed wrap tackle by Sam Hunt prevented a score. Nevertheless, Bridgnorth's pressure was telling and on 23 minutes the excellent Gareth Bladen, Bridgnorth's talismanic scrum half, booted a high kick towards the Leek 22. Dan Smith slightly misjudged the catch and the ball flew off his arm into the hands of the onrushing Will Crossley who sprinted in to score the opening try. Will Biddell couldn't add the extras but at 3-8 Bridgnorth's intent was clear and although it took until the first minute of added time for the next score, it went to Bridgnorth also after James Wilson, recently on for the injured Luke Staton was adjudged not to have got to his feet before playing the ball after a tackle. Bladen took the quick tap on half way and then won another 10 metres for Leek's defence not being 10 and Biddell stepped up to increase the Shropshire side's lead to 3-11 as the half time whistle blew.

The 2nd half opened with Bridgnorth on the attack and only a sprint back in goal from Dan Smith prevented a try in the first minute.
Bridgnorth were on top and weren't about to relinquish their advantage when on 47 minutes they won another penalty for a scrum offence and kicked for the corner lineout on Leek's 5 metre line. However Leek stole the lineout but were penalised for offside and Biddell succeeded with his 3rd penalty to increase the lead to 3-14. The screw was tightening all the time on Leek and another penalty on 51 minutes for offside had Biddell attempting another kick at goal, but fortunately for the Moorlanders, it went just wide. 4 minutes later and a late tackle by Newton-Taylor after Bridgnorth's Dave Hadkiss had kicked deep into Leek's 22 met with another penalty close to Leek's line. Again, Bridgnorth kicked for the corner lineout but again Leek's heroic defence disrupted the drive and they won a penalty for not releasing.

On 59 minutes, Leek were running the ball from their own 22 and finally released Newton-Taylor on the left. He was tackled midway in the Bridgnorth half and skipper Dan Griffiths was yellow carded for slowing the ball down, but Leek still couldn't find a way through the stout Bridgnorth defence just yet.
Slowly but surely Leek were getting more space and shouted on by the large home crowd, the forwards started to win quicker ball. Newton-Taylor had another strong run into the Bridgnorth 22 but the ball was pinched from him on the ground on 70 minutes. The clearance kick only found Sam Hunt, now at full back, on half way. He decided to run it back and he jinked his way to the Bridgnorth 5 metre line as the defence suddenly tired. Quick ball was denied a couple of rucks later and the decision to go for 3 points or go for glory was an easy one for McDermott to make, although most of the home crowd thought it wrong at the time. He calmly kicked the 3 points to reduce the deficit to 6-14.

This decision was given a further boost when on 75 minutes after Leek pressure was building up steam, the Leek forwards found themselves on the Bridgnorth 5 metre line again. Another penalty and repeated infringement team yellow card for Craig Thomas gifted McDermott another 3 points under the Bridgnorth posts and with 5 minutes to go at 9-14, Leek had a chance to snatch an unlikely victory.

The whole team was now working overtime to get on the front foot and when the ball was moved down a wide narrow channel, Liam McDermott, Sam Hunt and Jack Newton-Taylor combined to get into the Bridgnorth 22 again. Taylor's offload to Hunt allowed the move to continue. A quick ruck and pass from Dan Needham to Gary McDermott had the skipper sprinting towards the Bridgnorth posts. His simple pass to Naz Narawa allowed the centre to touch down unopposed. Unbelievably, Leek had turned the game around in a devastating 10 minute spell and McDermott had the chance, yet again, to kick the points that would defeat Bridgnorth for the 3rd time this season. He has stepped up so many times this season that it was no surprise when the ball bisected the posts and sent the fervent home support into rapturous applause. 16-14.
Bridgnorth kicked off in one last attempt to win a penalty but when a knock came on half way, Leek's scrum held firm and fittingly Gary McDermott booted the ball off the park to end the game and secure a famous win.

The Midlands Intermediate Cup final had produced a thriller and Bridgnorth will not know how they managed to let slip a game that they had controlled for so long and in which Leek, although never out of it, had only found the key to victory in the final 10 minutes. All players from both sides should be congratulated on producing such an entertaining spectacle - again another great advert for local amateur level 7 rugby. The medals for both sets of players were handed out by Chairman of the Midlands Division Organising Committee, Paul Kaminski, before he handed Gary McDermott the Midlands Intermediate Cup. As he raised the big trophy above his head, the whole of Leek's support gave out a collective roar of approval and another chapter in this season of seasons had been written.

Bridgnorth’s contribution had been exemplary and although they will be disappointed at the loss in a final, they can be very proud of the way they played and represented their club. Their time will come in this competition and Leek wishes them all the best for the remainder of the season.

Leek’s coaches, Ian Gittens and Chris Mudd, have had a fantastic season so far and guiding their players to win the Midlands Cup is nothing short of inspirational. From all of the club members, a big thank you and well done. The season is still not over and they will be concentrating hard to complete the job, still competing on 3 fronts.

The day could not have been as successful as it turned out without the fantastic support of Leek's army of volunteers. They had been working tirelessly for 2 weeks and on the day to make the event run as smoothly as possible. From the Leek committee to all those who gave their time for this event, please accept their gratitude and congratulations on a job well done.

Match day sponsors, Leek United Building Society, who stepped in to support the club on this memorable day deserve a special thank you as does Esterchem, the club’s main sponsor. Your support is much appreciated and helped this day, in no small way, to be very special.

With Paul Kaminski advising that the Midlands winners would have a home tie in the RFU Intermediate Cup semi final, the Leek committee and volunteers know they will have to do it all again on Easter Saturday, April 19th, when the North winners, Aspatria, from North Lancs/Cumbria league visit Esterchem Park. Kick off 3pm.

The next most important game is this Saturday when Leek makes the longest journey of the league season to Ludlow. With 4 league matches left, every point at this stage is vital with 4 teams in the hunt for promotion.
Please make the effort and come and support the team. Kick-off is 3.00pm.

Check out the squad photograph attached, taken before Saturday’s game. More photos will be posted on the club’s website during the week. Leave a comment and show your support.

Author John McDermott