Sat 6 Nov 2021
Midlands 2 West (N)
Leek 31
Longton 17
A strong start from Longton overcome in the 2nd half by resilient Leek.
Leek new this match would be won and lost if the Longton forwards could or could not be tamed and so decided to pick Joe Newton Taylor for his first match to add bulk to the front row with Ed Cheadle and Lee Williams. Harvey Bullman and Ben Barlow were at lock. Luke Hardern started at No.8 with Billy Kidd and Ollie Powell on the flanks.
Will Midwinter and Dan Needham were at half back. Rob McDermott and James Floyd were in the centres and Joe Byrne and Tom Scragg were on the wings. Jack Newton Taylor was at full back.
Joel Booth, Liam McDermott and Bobby Cheadle were on the bench.
The game kicked off with rain descending but it didn’t stop Longton from racing into a 12 point lead after just 5 minutes. The first try came after 2 minutes from a driving maul on the right outside Leek’s 22 after they won a penalty and lineout. The ball sped along the backs and the left wing had an overlap to score in the corner. The conversion missed. 0-5.
The 2nd try came from the kick off as Longton retained the ball, set up rucks going forward and then a short pass found the right wing on a great angle to cut through the Leek defence to score by the posts. The conversion was good and at 12-0 with 5 minutes on the clock, Leek knew they were in for a long afternoon.
Leek’s first possession on 8 minutes gave them a penalty for a high tackle and a lineout on Longton’s 5 metre line from which Longton’s talisman, No.8 Gareth Rawlings was injured. Longton dealt with the pressure and then at the other end of the field were held up over the line after Leek’s lineout was penalised on 22 minutes.
On 27 minutes Leek finally got on the scoreboard when a penalty allowed them to kick for the lineout in Longton’s 22. Kidd took the catch, the forwards mauled quickly and Kidd scored himself at the back of the maul. The conversion missed but at 5-12, Leek were slowly getting back into the game.
As added time came at the end of the first half, the try of the game brought Leek level. A clearance kick from Longton was fielded by Jack Newton Taylor. He drove into the Longton half on the left and the ruck produced a blindside ball for left wing Joe Byrne. The 18 year old has blistering pace and quick feet enabling him to evade the grasp of 6 Longton players on the way to the try line from their 10 metre line. Will Midwinter added the conversion as the half time whistle blew with Leek back on level terms at 12 all.
See attached for the start of Joe’s run for the line.
4 minutes into the 2nd half and a yellow card for Longton for a high tackle could have been a good advantage for Leek but despite a long penalty miss from Will Midwinter, Longton coped well with the loss for 10 minutes. Then on 57 minutes, Leek turned over Longton possession in mid half leading to rucks near the Longton line after the Leek centres and Ollie Powell combined to move the ball to the 5 metre line. Luke Hardern picked up the ball and crashed over for a try to give Leek the lead. Will Midwinter converted and Leek led 19-12.
9 minutes later and Longton hit back. Following a lineout on the left, the maul drew in the defence and easy passing right on the overlap saw the visitors scoring in the right corner. The conversion missed but at 19-17 with 15 minutes to go, it was anyone’s game to win.
From the kick off, Leek retained the ball after a Longton knock on. Rucking from left to right led to a penalty for not rolling. A quick penalty then allowed Liam McDermott to pick the ball near the line and touch down. Midwinter converted and Leek led 24-17.
From this kick off, the game was sealed. The deep kick was fielded by Jack Newton Taylor outside his 22 on the right. He then fended off would be tacklers and found the open space in the Longton half to sprint away and score on the right. Will Midwinter converted on 72 minutes and at 31-17 Leek had opened up a 2 score lead. Still Longton plugged away looking for a bonus point and the game ended with Longton on attack but Leek’s defence held firm.
It had been a tough match for both teams played with skill and pace despite the wet conditions. Leek won their bonus point and denied the visitors but Longton will be a side to trouble most in this league although dropping to 4th as Camp Hill won again to move to 3rd place. Walsall beat Stafford to retain 2nd place on 25 points with Leek at the head on 30 points.
This Saturday, 13th November Leek welcome Coalville to Esterchem park for an Intermediate Midlands Cup 1st round match. Kick-off is 2pm.
It will be followed by the England v Australia match on the big screens in the clubhouse. A perfect Saturday afternoon’s entertainment.
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