For the first fixture of the league season in the Regional 2 North Midlands Division, RFU Level 6, Leek travelled to Solihull to play Silhillians a fellow promoted side.

Head coach Joel Booth had selected Captain Eddie Cheadle at Hooker with Props Lee Williams & Joe Newton Taylor completing the front row. Joel Hine and Joel Booth were the 2nd row with flankers Billy Kidd & George Hunt accompanied by No 8 Reece Milner in the back row. Scrum half Liam McDermott partnered Fly half Will Midwinter. Rob McDermott and Jack Newton Taylor were the Centres with Sam Brereton & Jack Fryer on the wings and Joe Byrne at Full back. Jacob Bainbridge, Ben Barlow & Sam Lloyd were the substitutes.

Conditions were warm and overcast on a firm dry pitch as the Moorlanders kicked off. A good period of pressure led to the visitors being awarded a penalty for hands in the ruck on 4 mins. From 40 metres out Midwinter elected to kick for posts but pulled the kick wide, probably due to the fact he had left the kicking tee in the changing room. The next opportunity for points fell to Sils with a penalty, for going off the feet, on the 22 metre line. The kick was pushed wide and the score stayed at 0-0.

For the next 25 minutes Leek had the better of possession and territory winning penalties and opting to kick for touch deep in the Sils half but despite their best efforts niggling errors and sharp defensive play from the home side kept the score line blank.

On 32 minutes the Sils ventured into the Leek half but knocked on. From the resulting scrum Sils were awarded a free kick they kept possession for a number of phases and scored the first try of the game at the side of the posts, promptly adding the conversion to lead 7-0.

On 36 minutes Sils added their second try. they were awarded a penalty on the half way line Leek were marched back 10 metres for back chat and the resulting kick to touch gave the home side a lineout on the 5 metre line. A quick throw to the front jumper saw a maul formed, which was driven over the try line for the score, the conversion was missed 12-0 and despite having the better of the play Leek were behind.

The boys in blue rolled up their sleeves, stung into action by the instruction from Coach Booth and once more penned Sils back winning penalties and kicking for touch to the 5 metre line on 40 minutes Joe Newton Taylor crashed over as the visitors driving maul was too powerful to be contained the conversion was missed. Half time score 12-5.

In the second half on 47 minutes Liam McDermott fielded a deep kick from Sils and called the mark, his quick tap and offload resulted in a break from deep Jack Newton Taylor beat 3 men with a great run through the middle and offloaded to Midwinter who raced clear to score under the posts and kick the conversion to level the scores at 12-12. The game now settled in to a pattern of stop start with numerous Sils players receiving treatment for injuries. on 65 minutes the Home side thought they had broken the deadlock with a kick and chase only to have the try disallowed for a foot in touch.

The continual injuries took their toll on Sils who were now down to 14 men. Leek took advantage and pressed them back on 71 minutes the Sils openside was penalised for hand in the ruck and received a Yellow card for continual team offenses. Midwinter slotted the kick through the posts to give the visitors the lead 12-15.

With the home side down to 13 men Leek pressed forward with Midwinter fly hacking a loose ball, gathering the kick and passing to Sam Brereton who broke clear to score under the posts Midwinter kicked the conversion 12-22.

As the game drew to a close Jack Newton Taylor received a yellow card for a late challenge and Sihillians kicked to the corner for a 5 metre lineout. They gathered the ball and mauled over the line for the final points of the game, the conversion was missed. Full time 17-22.

A good win in the opening game of the season for Leek who welcomed back returning players Jacob Bainbridge and man of the match Reece Milner who have spent time away at other clubs.