Saturday 10th September 2022

Regional 2 North Midlands

Leek 27

Belgrave 8.

Following a decision by the RFU to allow rugby games to proceed with a 2 minutes silence to honour Queen Elizabeth II and to be united in our grief as we express sorrow in her passing. Leek Rugby Club welcomed Belgrave Rugby Club 1st XV to EsterChem park for the first fixture between the two sides. Belgrave who hail from Leicester were formed 140 years ago and are Leicestershire's 2nd oldest club.
In a change from last week Jacob Bainbridge started at prop along side Captain Eddie Cheadle at Hooker with Joe Newton Taylor completing the front row. Joel Hine and Joel Booth were the 2nd row with flankers Billy Kidd & George Hunt joined by No 8 Reece Milner in the back row. Scrum half Liam McDermott partnered Fly half Will Midwinter. In the centres Rob McDermott was paired with Josh Nadin who was making his 1st XV debut at outside centre. Jack Newton Taylor & Sam Brereton were on the wings with Joe Byrne at Full back. Will Hill, Sam Lloyd & Jack Fryer were the substitutes.

The club had invited current sponsors and past players to the match along with the current Leek U10s Warriors who were mascots for the day, so Belgrave kicked off in front of a bumper crowd on a dry pitch in fair conditions. The home side retained possession and following a good break from Jack Newton Taylor Leek were awarded a penalty on 3 minutes Will Midwinter steered his close range kick through the post to give a 3-0 lead. On 10 minutes Leek were awarded another penalty which Rob McDermott kicked to touch giving the Moorlanders a line out 10 metres out. After around 6 phases of play McDermott burst through the Belgrave defence to claim the 1st try of the game, Midwinter kicked the conversion 10-0.
The visitors now eased them selves into the game and were awarded a penalty for hands in the ruck. The kick from the scrum half was good, score 10-3 on 22 minutes. From the restart Leek pressed forward and it seemed Biily Kidd had scored but the referee ruled the effort was held up and in the melee that followed Joel Hine and the Belgrave hooker were both sent to the sin bin. For the next 5 minutes Leek again pressed forward deep into the Belgrave half with the pack working hard to retain possession. Player Coach Joel Booth received the ball 5 metres out and powered his way over the line to score Leeks 2nd try, Midwinter added the conversion 17-3. Half time.

After the break Leek continued to dominate territory and possession but numerous penalties enabled Belgrave to clear. After 62 minutes the Staffordshire side were awarded a penalty 25 metres out which Midwinter duly dispatched 20-3. The home side moved forward again, a strong run from Sam Brereton saw them move deep into the Belgrave half and as the ball was spread wide Rob McDermott dinked a clever kick between the on rushing defence for Joe Byrne to race onto and score under the posts. Midwinter kicked the conversion, score 27-3 (65 minutes). The spirited visitors now began to gain more possession, on 72 minutes Joe Newton Taylor was shown a yellow card for a high tackle and Leek were down to 14 men. Belgrave pressed forward and following a number of scrum penalties on Leeks 5 metre line, the ball was worked down the blindside for the winger to score in the corner. The conversion was missed score 27-8. As the game drew to a close Leek were reduced to 13 men when Jack Newton Taylor was yellow carded for hands in the ruck on the Leek try line. The Leek defence held firm and the game finished with a Leek win 27-8 final score.

A good win for the home side, however a high penalty count and 3 yellow cards for the side will need to be addressed. A strong debut from Josh Nadin saw him named man of the match. Leek now embark on 2 consecutive away fixtures.
This Saturday 17th September Leek 1st XV travel to Sutton Coldfield for a league fixture, The 2nd & 3rd XVs are both at home (all games 3pm kick off). The bar will be open from 2.00pm with hot food available.