LEEK v STOKE, MATCH REPORT

It gave both clubs the chance to blood some youngsters and add some match fitness ahead of the league campaign starting next week.
The draw meant that Stoke went through to the semi-finals after the sides couldn’t be separated on count back of tries, conversions and penalties. Each scored 3 tries, 2 conversions and a penalty.

Leek’s preparation for this match, as Stoke, was peppered with unavailability and right up until Saturday morning, the side was still being finalised.
19 year old Sam Horton made his debut for the senior side at full back and Dan Sharratt and Tom Laverick were on the wings. George Hunt and debutant Kinni Buli were in the centre with Gary McDermott and Dan Needham at half back.
New skipper Bobby Cheadle, brother Ed and Jack Conlon made up the front row. Andy Thompson and Phil Tomczak were at lock. Ilisoni Bavou at blindside was making his debut with Luke Hardern at No.8 and Andy McFadden at openside.
Isaac Reaney, Neil Edge and Jamie Gordon were on the bench.

The game was preceded by a minute’s silence to remember former Stoke captain and president John Evans who had recently passed away.

The opening minute saw Leek losing their first scrum and were then penalised for not releasing in the tackle. This led to a kick for a lineout on Leek’s 5 metre line. The poor lineout still had Stoke retaining the ball and they created an overlap on the left as the ball went wide for the wing to open the scoring on 3 minutes. The conversion was superb and Stoke led early at 0-7.

On 10 minutes, Jack Conlon was lucky not to receive a yellow card as he tackled the Stoke fly half in the air from a clearance kick and from the penalty another kick for a lineout had Leek defending the maul. They were penalised again for pulling the maul down and Stoke opted for the scrum. Leek were penalised at the scrum but Stoke decided to take another scrum and swift hands right created an overlap on the right for the wing to score a 2nd try on 16 minutes. The conversion missed but at 0-12 and with no ball yet, Leek’s afternoon was looking likely to be very long.

Leek’s first bit of ball in the Stoke half on 18 minutes led to a penalty which was reversed as Luke Hardern was penalised for stamping and received a yellow card. Still no luck for Leek as the side struggled to get any shape and retain any possession in the opening quarter.

The next 10 minutes proved difficult for the Moorlanders as they defended their line against a committed Stoke side sensing further tries but great tackling kept the blue tide at bay and on 31 minutes Leek again moved into the Stoke half only for Ed Cheadle to be yellow carded for an overzealous clearing out at the ruck. Luke Hardern came back on but Leek was going through a tough 2nd quarter with only 14 men when Dan Needham finally kicked Leek into the Stoke 22 for the first time in the match on 35 minutes for a Stoke lineout.

On 40 minutes, Jack Conlon made a break from half way and won a penalty for not releasing in the tackle. A quick tap from Dan Needham and good passing allowed Dan Sharratt an opening to burst over the line for Leek’s first try and although Gary McDermott missed the conversion at 5-12, it seemed remarkable that Leek were within one score of their visitors with the half almost over. 5 minutes of overtime then ensued and Ed Cheadle came back on with Leek not conceding during the 20 minutes with a player short.
Half time – Leek 5 v 12 Stoke.

If Leek had found confidence right at the end of the half with which to take into the opening phases of the 2nd half, it lasted all of 38 seconds as from their kick off, a strong run through poor tackling set up an overlap on the right on half way. Great passing and an inside run from the left wing saw him score his 2ndtry under the Leek posts. An easy conversion increased Stoke’s lead to 5-19.
4 minutes later and the lead was extended further with a penalty for offside following a clearance kick. 5-22.

It looked a very difficult challenge from this point and Leek needed inspiration and it came after a wayward pass in the Stoke midfield saw George Hunt collect the ball and sprint off down field. The move ended with Tom Laverick being held up over the line for a Leek 5 metre scrum. A penalty at the scrum had Leek running the ball but then held up in the maul on 49 minutes and Stoke had a scrum on their own 5 metre line. As the ball squirted out of the Stoke scrum, Dan Needham collected it and dived over for a try by the posts. Gary McDermott converted and at 12-22 there was still hope.
A further 3 points came Leek’s way on 61 minutes for a not releasing in the tackle penalty that McDermott converted and at 15-22, the Moorlanders were back within one score of their rivals.
Stoke missed a 66th minute penalty and then Leek produced their best phases of play in the game. A series of patient rucks in the Stoke 22 finally created some gaps and when the ball sped out left, full back Sam Horton sprinted through and scored a deserved try. Gary McDermott converted and brought the scores level at 22 all with 4 minutes to play.

However Leek couldn’t find another move to win the game and Stoke held on for a draw that sees them progress to the next round.
Overall, this was exactly what the Leek coaches would have wanted from the match. A tough game with plenty of new players being exposed to the team and showing strong character and fitness in coming back in the 2nd half.

Next week the 1st XV is on the road for its opening league fixture at Kenilworth. KO is 3pm.
The following week, 12th September, the team travels to Worcester Wanderers before opening its home matches on 19th September against Silhillians.

With the World Cup starting on Friday, 18th September when England plays Fiji, the club is gearing up to host the matches live on the big screen. This opening fixture marks the start of the beer festival. From5.30pm at the club right through the game, commencing at 8pm. Then on the Saturday 19th, 3 more World Cup matches are live on the screen with Leek kicking off at 3pm.

19th September also sees the launch of the club’s very own book, recording the history of the club – The spirit of rugby in Leek. Those who have already paid a deposit can collect their copy on the day and anyone wanting to purchase the book can do so at a cost of £20.