Leek battle their way to victory over Derby, while Sandbach run riot to dismantle rivals West Park

LEEK secured a 25-19 home victory over Derby in Regional One North West.

- Chris Travers

On a perfect autumnal afternoon, referee Mike Gray initiated the game’s kickoff and five minutes later Will Midwinter kicked a penalty after a quick tap penalty led to the prevention of the next play. 3-0.

On 11 minutes Will Midwinter had a chance to double Leek’s led but his penalty attempt hit the post and stayed out.

Then Derby hit back and on 23 minutes, their most influential player, number eight broke through a tackle on the Leek 10-metre line and sprinted in by the posts. The conversion was good and Derby led 3-7.

Five minutes later and good retention by Leek eventually saw Sam Brereton on the right wing move past two attempted tackles to near the Derby line. Leek rucked then and a long pass into centre field went awry, but the Derby back line was offside.

Joe Byrne kicked for the lineout on the left and from six metres, the catch and drive saw Ollie Powell controlling the ball at the back of the maul before Joel Booth crashed over on the left for Leek’s first try. Will Midwinter converted and Leek regained the lead at 10-7.

Derby came back again and in added time on 41 minutes won a penalty as the tackler didn’t release. They kicked for the six-metre lineout on the left and a good drive, led to a forwards try. The conversion missed but the visitors regained the lead at 10-12.

Leek kicked off, Derby knocked on and the half time whistle blew on this engaging game.

Three minutes into the second half and a yellow card for too many high tackle infringements left Derby a man down.

Leek then had a lineout seven metres from the Derby line and after rucking on the five-metre line, Scott Rawlings cross kicked for Sam Brereton. He almost caught the ball in goal but knocked on and Derby's wing reacted quickly to sprint into the Leek half and on to the 22. AFJ came to the rescue as he thwarted the momentum, and Leek had a let off.