Two tries from Joe Byrne, another from Joel Hine and five successful kicks were enough to see off a strong Wirral team and secure a priceless four points for the Moorlanders in the first game of 2025.

With neighbours Stoke - who visit Altrad Park next month - losing at Manchester, Leek are now tied on points with the Barlaston outfit and with Kendal, who we visit on 1 March, although the Cumbrians have a game in hand. Penrith are also less than a game ahead.

On a freezing day, Leek got off to their customary cold start, the visitors going ahead with a try after just two minutes. But the blue and whites responded quickly through Joe Byrne's first try to level the scores.

Halfway through the first period the visitors went ahead again, only for Joel Hine to respond minutes later to even the scores again, and the sides went into the break tied at 14-14.

Leek started the second half well, with Byrne claiming his second score after six minutes. A Midwinter penalty extended the lead to ten points soon after. But Wirral sit fourth in the table for a reason, and they came back strongly, claiming their third try with ten minutes left. Critically, they failed to get the conversion.

With time running down, they edged ahead with a penalty kick, and the Leek faithful feared the worst. But Midwinter's last-gasp penalty ensured that the Moorlanders started the New Year with a win and four precious points.