Post by Communications Team on Apr 9, 2014 5:52:40 GMT
[Apologies for the delay in posting. Report was issued over the weekend as usual.
This Saturday Oak play Ludlow at Billesley Common ko 3pm.
Why not give the lads a boost after last weekend and show your support before the Bristol game which kicks off at 5:05pm.
.............Comms Team]
Leek 56-5 Moseley Oak
Moseley Oak battered and bruised
Moseley Oak were comprehensively outplayed by Leek as the home side claimed the five points they needed to clinch promotion out of Midlands Two West (North).
It was as conclusive a drubbing as it had been the other way round at Billesley Common – the visitors being the only team to have beaten Leek in the league all season. Plenty of incentive then for Leek to put on a show, and they did.
For Moseley Oak, Leek away always seems jinxed – this time losing two important players in the week leading up. Jack Fairhurst broke a hand at work and more worryingly Chris Carlin, concussed against Crewe & Nantwich, was hospitalised, released and watching from the sidelines but with doubts over his future playing career. In that context a 56-5 beating seemed neither here nor there.
It effectively means any chance Moseley Oak had of sneaking second and a play-off against the runner-up of the south division is now exceedingly slim. Especially given the injuries totted up in a hard encounter – Duncan White, Ben Gerry and Adrian Courtney hobbled off with leg knocks, Joshua Mears was concussed, and Antonio Solomon ended the game limping.
Just 14 players on the pitch for the last few moments.
The first half was a contest and Moseley Oak were still in touch at 20-5, but Leek ran away with the second period.
It was a formidable performance by them and they were ecstatic at the end, celebrating the number one spot.
A crowd of about 350 cheered them on.
The Leek tries came from Jack Newton-Taylor (2), Nick Palmer (2), Dan Needham, James Floyd, Luke Grainger, Gary McDermott, and Adam Nettel. Moseley Oak managed a pushover via Andrew Ford.
The Moseley Oak forwards tried hard; the denuded backs struggled.
Not a great day at the office.
But congratulations to Leek, a lovely, friendly club.