Leek's super 2nd XV are league champions! They claimed the Counties 3 Midlands West (North) title with a five try, 7-32 win away at Eccleshall, and with it promotion to level eight in the RFU pyramid next season.

Congratulations to skipper Andy Thompson, coach Chris Mudd, manager Steve Fryer and all of the players!

The 2s made the trip to Baden Hall knowing that a bonus point win was needed for them to overhaul Newcastle at the top of the table. With a strong breeze blowing across a hard, dry pitch, they started nervously and were on the back foot for the first ten minutes.

But strong defence, including a heroic goal-line stand, kept Eccleshall at bay, and the Moorlanders began to grow into the game.

It was a day for wise, calm heads, and veteran Jake Green was to the fore, opening the scoring on 20 minutes with a dart to the corner after a period of Leek pressure. He repeated the trick just four minutes later, and the blue and whites were suddenly bossing the game. Jack Winfield made the conversion with a tricky kick into the breeze. Jay Wilkinson added the third shortly after.

The conditions made it difficult to play flowing rugby, and two breaks down the left flank that looked like they might add to the score fizzled out when passes went astray. The hosts continued battling and pulled one back after a rare foray into the Leek 22. But the bonus point was secured when Kin Critchlow crossed the line just before the break to make it 7-22.

In the second half, Eccleshall looked to up the intensity and aggression and knock Leek off their stride. The game became more fragmented and the visitors began to get on the wrong side of some occasionally eccentric refereeing decisions, although the hosts were reduced to 14 after a red card for a punch.

The blue wall defence held firm and astute kicking from hand from Green, Wilko and Winfield relieved the pressure. And Leek put the result beyond doubt with a break from deep, Harry Byrne claiming the score. A Winfield penalty shortly after was the icing on the celebration cake and even skipper Thommo's yellow card at the death couldn't take the gloss off a famous win.

Earlier in the day it was disappointment for Leek Colts, who let slip a 12-0 lead to fall to a 19-21 loss to Stoke in the Staffs Plate semi final. And the 1st XV went down 17-59 to high flying Manchester.

However, the 1sts had already secured level five rugby for next season. Neighbours Stoke were relegated following a big defeat away at champions Rossendale.