Leek impress on the road to take points at Long Eaton, but Sandbach are defeated

LEEK eased to a 43-5 victory at Long Eaton in Regional One North West.

- Chris Travers

Pictures: Andy Mitchell

(Andy Mitchell)

The weather looked ominous leaving Leek, but in Nottinghamshire the weather remained overcast and still, with only occasional rain during the match and so on a good surface the game kicked off with Leek dominating early possession without threatening, until after 12 minutes Scott Rawlings was shown a yellow card for a high tackle.

Two minutes later and Leek took the lead after a penalty led to a lineout in the Long Eaton 22.

An initial drive preceded close rucking, until Joe Byrne cross kicked to Jack Newton Taylor. He caught the ball on the bounce and weaved past two defenders to score on the right wing. Will Midwinter kicked the conversion and Leek led 0-7.

On 29 minutes, Long Eaton had a penalty and kicked for the five-metre lineout in Leek's 22 on the right.

As happened throughout the afternoon, the Leek jumpers won the ball, but the ruck was set up close to their own goal line and when Joe Byrne brought the ball back to clear, it was already in goal, and the alert hooker touched the ball down for a try. The conversion hit the post and stayed out and it was 5-7.

On 33 minutes, after a Leek scrum, Joe Byrne took a quick tap penalty and after a patient build up in the home 22, Jack Newton Taylor went over for his second try, this time beating three defenders. Will Midwinter again converted, and Leek led 5-14.

Time for one more Jack Newton Taylor try before half time when a lineout on the left on the Long Eaton 22 was followed by a good maul.

The ball was fed to Scott Rawlings and his long pass to Jack on the right wing in space gave him the chance to beat two men again and score Leek's and his third try of the half. This time the conversion missed.