LEEK director of rugby Neil Edge says his side are capable of ending the season toasting a double.
The Moorlanders are flying high in Midlands Two West North, having chalked up 14 wins in their 15 league games.
That has left them 11 points clear at the summit, although this weekend they turn their attention to Intermediate Cup action.
Leek are three wins from a first appearance at Twickenham as they visit Warwickshire side Newbold on Avon.
“We’ve made a push for the cup competitions this season, whereas in the past we’ve gone out in the first round and been able to concentrate on the league,” said Edge.
“We don’t prioritise. We want to win promotion and reach Twickenham.
“We’re more than capable of doing that. The club has been building for the last five years since our coach, Ian Gittens, joined, and everyone has bought into the plan and what we’re trying to achieve.”
Leek are taking a healthy travelling support on Saturday, with two coaches fully booked for the cup clash.
Newbold on Avon are also enjoying a fine season, and currently sit second in Midlands Two East South, albeit 12 points adrift of runaway leaders Leighton Buzzard.
“We won’t change anything in terms of how we play,” added Edge.
“We have a young side, but they are getting more intelligent as the season goes on.
“Our form has seen us attract new players to the club and we’re in a healthy situation.
“Newbold will be a tough game. They’re going well, but we’ve proved we can compete with the best.
“We beat Burton, who are in the league above, in the Staffordshire Cup, which showed that we are capable of making the step up.”
Beating Midlands One West side Burton in the cup was another feather in the cap for Leek during what is shaping up to be a memorable campaign.
Their solitary defeat came to second-placed Moseley Oak just before Christmas when they went down 37-18.
However, Edge says it was no bad thing that they came unstuck after opening the season with 14 successive victories in all competitions.
“The defeat at Moseley Oak refocused minds and it was a wake-up call,” explained Edge.
“We had the same against Wolverhampton a couple of weeks ago when we won 22-21.
“A winning side manage to grind out results when they’re not at their best and that is what we did.”
Edge says Leek’s success is down to a squad effort with 35 players having donned first-team shirts so far.
He praised captain Gary McDermott for the way he has led the team to the top of the table and within touching distance of a trip to Twickenham.
“It’s been a squad effort and all of the players are maturing as we go along,” said Edge.
“Gary, as captain, is leading from the front. There’s some captains who struggle to adapt to the role, but that isn’t the case with him.
“I’m chuffed at how he is doing in the job.
“This season hasn’t been just about the firsts, though. The whole club, from juniors right through to seniors have been pulling in the same direction supporting each other.”
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Article source: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/rugby-wood-heads-new-deals-quintet-155919976--spt.html
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