With several players gaining valuable game time at this level, Leek needed to bounce back strongly and this they did with a combination of continuity and patience in the 2nd half, following a 1st half that lacked patience amid plenty of possession and territory.

Skipper Tom Hine was still at tight head and combined with Ed Cheadle and Jason Milner in the front row.
Ed Harrison was back at lock with Tom Sims. Ad Nettel was also back on the openside flank with Andy McFadden at 8 and Simon Drew at blindside.
Ian Harris was at half back with Gary McDermott. Lee Williams and Sam Hunt were in the centre and Adam Smith and Nick Palmer were on the wing, allowing Dan Smith to start at fullback for his debut home league game.
Luke Hardern, Jamie Gordon and Tom Tavacece were on the bench as Leek kicked off on a glorious Autumnal afternoon at St Edwards.

Leek were on the board after 5 minutes when an offside decision saw Sam Hunt kick a simple goal. 3-0.
From the kick off, Sam Hunt made a break and his pass to Gary McDermott left the fly half with a simple pass to Nick Palmer to score under the posts. Hunt converted. 10-0.

Over the next 15 minutes, Leek's impatience showed as they tried to force the ball into scoring chances which led to a few knock ons inside the Dixs 22. Sam Hunt added a 26th minute penalty for not binding at the scrum to increase the lead to 13-0 and then on 31 minutes Dixs had a chance to open their account with a penalty for offside, but the kick went wide.

Leek continued to force the game until half time but Dixs resolute defence kept the score at 13-0.
At the half, Luke Hardern and Tom Tavacece came on and with coach Ian Gittens' words and call for patience duly noted, the Moorlanders scored their 2nd try on 44 minutes through Gary McDermott as a handling error in their own 22 gave the fly half the simplest of chances to score. Hunt converted superbly and Leek led 20-0.

On 51 minutes, a ruck ball win on their own 10 metre line saw quick passes find Dan Smith on the blind wing. He outsprinted the defence to score a great try. Hunt converted again. 27-0.
Leek then went to sleep and allowed Dixs to pressure the Leek line. 2 quick penalties kept the Leek defence alert and aggressive play at the 3rd ruck saw a turnover allowing Leek to run the ball out of defence. Great continuity and support finally meant Dixs ran out of defenders and Ad Nettel scored the bonus point 4th try. Hunt converted again. 34-0.

On 65 minutes, a lineout on the Dixs 22, fed the ball to Lee Williams. he burst one tackle, offloaded to Luke Hardern who went over for his score. Hunt converted for the 5th time of asking. 41-0.
On 75 minutes with Dixs now tiring, another sweeping move down the right side, pulled the defence over for a Nick Palmer try in the left corner after good hands. Hunt missed his first conversion. 46-0.
With 82 minutes on the clock, Leek lost the ball on the Dixs line, however the clearance kick found Nick Palmer about 35 metres out on the left. His intelligent run across the field, outsprinted the defence and his pass found Ad Nettel who went over for his 2nd try. Hunt converted. 53-0.

As time ran out, there was enough for Leek to score their 8th try when good retention by the forwards saw Jamie Gordon set up a ruck that allowed Dan Smith to burst through the defence for his 2nd try. Sam Hunt converted his 7th or 8 tries to bring his personal tally to 20 points for the game and end the scoring at 60-0.

Dixs tried very hard all afternoon, but they found Leek in irresistible mode in the 2nd half.
Wolverhampton lost their immaculate record to date with a loss at Stafford as Moseley Oak took over the top spot with their 5th win out of 5 against Old Salts. Silhillians won at Aston Old Eds and Tamworth sneaked a close win against Bridgnorth. Spartans beat Veseyans who are this Saturday's away opponents.

Leek's next home league game is on November 3rd when the Moorlanders entertain Old Salts. If last year's game is anything to go by, it will be a great afternoon. Please come and support the team. Kick off for that game will be at 2.30pm.

The Past Captains' luncheon before the game was a tremendous success with 17 former captains spanning 50 years of Leek rugby coming together to discuss old times and new. Thank you for your continued support.