KENILWORTH v LEEK, MATCH REPORT

....when they learned that Earlsdon had defeated Silhillians thus ensuring Leek will be playing Midlands 1 rugby next season.

Blooding 3 debutants on the bench in Ben Barlow, Andy Tomlinson and Reece Milner, Leek is looking to widen the 1st team squad player base for next season and they all played their part in this game.

With skipper Gary McDermott now out for the rest of the season, brother Liam continued at half back with Ollie Drew. Adam Smith and Sam Hunt were in the centre and James Floyd and Dan Sharratt were on the wings with Jack Newton Taylor at full back.
Bobby and Ed Cheadle made up two thirds of the front row with John Brooks. Ed Harrison and Luke Hardern were at lock and Luke Staton was at No.8 with Andy McFadden and George Hunt on the flanks.

Kenilworth was coming off the back of 3 defeats and Leek was looking to finish their away campaign with a 3rd win but the home side proved a tough nut and ran away with the game in the 2nd half after a very competitive first half.
The pitch was perfect and in cool windy conditions Leek started well and had a Sam Hunt penalty on 2 minutes for offside but the kick was pulled wide. 2 minutes later though a series of 3 quick tapped penalties had the home side scoring on the left as the quick thinking scrum half, who tormented Leek all afternoon, set up the inside centre for the opening try. The conversion missed and Kenilworth led 5-0.

Leek looked dangerous on 15 minutes in the Kenilworth 22 but a knock on thwarted a scoring opportunity but 5 minutes later Sam Hunt had Leek on the board with a successful penalty attempt for over the top at the ruck. 5-3.
On 23 minutes a rather harsh yellow for Luke Hardern followed after the referee deemed a succession of infringements warranted a card. The resulting penalty gave the home fullback a simple attempt and he duly extended the lead to 8-3.

Reece Milner came on for George Hunt as the flanker nursed a head knock on 29 minutes but from a lineout on the half way, Leek’s defence was not good enough as the Kenilworth backs ran through the Leek line for the centre to score by the posts. The conversion was good and the lead up to 15-3 on 31 minutes.

5 minutes later and Leek’s backs were attacking down the left on half way when the ball was dropped. Kicked ahead by the home wing, he hacked again and won the race for the ball to score under the posts. The conversion was good and at 22-3 the games was in danger of getting away from Leek in the first half.

Still Leek had enjoyed at least 50% of possession and played some solid if not adventurous rugby and that paid dividends as the half closed down. Sam Hunt broke the Kenilworth line on 39 minutes and the Liam McDermott’s kick into the corner forced the defence to concede a 5 metre scrum. The ensuing scrum had Leek rucking to the line through Luke Hardern and then Bobby Cheadle popped up to force his way over for Leek’s deserved try. Sam Hunt converted and had reduced the lead to 22-10.

As the half closed out this was as close as Leek would be to Kenilworth and no-one expected the 2nd half to go as it did given the competitive nature of the game until then. Half Time – 22-10.
Andy Tomlinson came on at the half but he along with Ben Barlow who came on 12 minutes later will remember their debuts for the fact Kenilworth scored 26 unanswered points and 4 more tries.
On 47 minutes, a converted try following a quick tap penalty from the scrum half. 29-10.
Dan Sharratt had a chance on 53 minutes as he chipped through but was tripped and from the resulting penalty Luke Hardern almost reached the line but was penalised for holding on. No yellow was shown for a red zone offence and on 62 minutes Ed Cheadle was punched and had to leave the field and a scrum was awarded to the home side with the referee unsighted.
An unconverted 68th minute try by the left wing sealed Leek’s fate after Leek lost the ball on the Kenilworth 22 and the speedy backs took the game away from Leek. 34-10.

On 71 minutes, a defensive kick out led to the home backs running the ball back with interest but Leek bundled the ball into touch on their own 5 metre line. However the quick thinking scrum half took a quick line and the wing darted in for another try. The conversion was good. 41-10.
Kenilworth was now running Leek ragged despite some brave defending from the Moorlanders and on 78 minutes they could not stop the powerful No.8 from scoring by the posts. The conversion was good and the scoring completed at 48-10.
The 2nd half from Kenilworth showed Leek’s players what was required and hopefully they can recover with a week’s rest before competing and completing their league season with home matches against Worcester on 11th April and Newport on 18th April.

Earlsdon’s win against Silhillians means Earlsdon as well as Birkswell & Balsall (loss at home to Stratford) and Silhillians cannot now catch Leek in the remaining 2 games as Leek sits at least 11 points ahead of 12th placed Silhillians.
Barkers Butts beat Walsall and Newport nicked the win at Hereford. Worcester’s win against Whitchurch meant the Wanderers leapfrogged Hereford into 2nd place. Crewe beat Stoke to consolidate 4th place.

On 11th April, the game against Worcester is sponsored by Breeze House. Come down to the club and enjoy the hospitality and if you played with Andy or Chris Peck you are invited to their party anyway.
On 18th April, the final game of the season is against the league champions Newport. There is a beer festival which runs from the Friday evening through Sunday as well. Should be a great atmosphere to end the season with.

Author John McDermott