Leek make statement with opening-day win, while it's a productive trip for Bach

LEEK opened up the new Regional One North West season with a 37-31 victory at Bowdon.

- Chris Travers

Leek were playing with the slope and cross wind as the game kicked off on a glorious afternoon in Cheshire, on a great surface and Leek’s opening chance on five minutes with a penalty to find the corner deep in the home 22 was lost, as touch wasn’t found.

Three minutes later and Bowdon opened the scoring with a great try, after good retention saw the home side move the ball left to right and then back again as they stretched the Leek defence.

The final pass to the left wing saw him dive over for the try. The conversion failed in the wind, but home supporters were cheering their team's opening try. 5-0.

On 12 minutes, Leek won a penalty for offside and this time the kick for touch was good. George Hunt took the line out catch, the drive moved the ball forward before, firstly, Joel Booth drove for the line and then Ollie Powell from short range crashed over for Leek's opening try. Will Midwinter converted.

The lead was increased on 18 minutes with a successful Midwinter penalty after a high tackle infringement to make it 10-5.