Leek suffer home misery as Manchester are too strong

LEEK were beaten 59-17 at home by Manchester in Regional One North West.

- Chris Travers [e-mail]

Leek's disappointing end to the season, results wise, in no way diminishes their performance yet again, giving everything to the cause and creating enough positions to work on for their conversion for next season.

Leek led on nine minutes when Will Midwinter converted a penalty for a high tackle and that was the only time Leek did lead.

Three minutes later and Manchester were scoring the first of five tries in the opening half. Their lineout and scrum were strong, and Leek couldn't match the superb attacking and counter attacking of the inside backs.

Leek had a couple of chances in the Manchester 22, but the defence was very good and resulted in turnovers as the pressure told.

Leek opened the second half strongly and were held up over the line on 46 minutes and a resulting penalty couldn't be converted into points as the Manchester defence turned the ball over. Manchester then scored two further tries to end the third quarter at 52-3.

Then on 66 minutes, Leek won a penalty and from the resultant lineout on the right, a good driving maul led to Ed Cheadle scoring a deserved try on the right. Will Midwinter converted.