For the second week in a row, a gritty performance saw Leek secure a bonus point against top-four opposition.

The returning Will Midwinter scored two in a four-try performance at Blackburn, with Ed Cheadle and skipper Joe Newton-Taylor bagging the others as the blue and whites again threatened an upset before conceding two late tries to go down 38-24.

The lads can take heart from another hard working performance. The pressure doesn't let up next week, when the Moorlanders host Anselmians, but after that they can look forward to a run of three games against other teams at the bottom end of the league.

Meanwhile at Altrad Park Leek 2nds edged a close game against Uttoxeter, 29-24. In a strangely disjointed first half performance the Moorlanders went behind early, missing tackles as the visitors' pacy left wing scored in the corner.

Leek had plenty of possession but couldn't keep hold of the ball, dropping passes and struggling to contain Uttoxeter at the breakdown, and conceded a second under the posts after 12 minutes to trail 0-12.

The hosts then began to grow into the game, and a period of possession towards the end of the half saw Joel Hine drive over from close range to reduce the deficit.

Baz Smith emerged from a rolling maul to claim Leek's second early soon after the break, but a misfield from the kick-off saw Uttoxeter nab possession and reclaim the lead, 12-17.

The wise old heads of Andy Thompson and Jake Green then began to exercise some control over proceedings. Thommo scored from a lineout catch and drive, with Green adding the extras from wide out, and two minutes later the move of the game saw forwards Gregor Hayes and Smith break through the visitors' defence with some nifty footwork and offloading to set Green away on the right wing, scampering under the posts for another seven points.

Two scores clear, Leek relaxed and were duly punished when an outside break saw the visitors pull one back, three missed tackles again costing the hosts dear. But a Green penalty calmed any jitters and Leek were able to close out the game to move ahead of Uttoxeter in the table.

Up on the top pitch, our 3s rounded things off with a great win over visiting Belper, bouncing back from last week’s lopsided defeat with aplomb.