Rugby Union: Leek book their place in Intermediate Cup final

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LEEK advanced to the Intermediate Cup final in dramatic circumstances after 31-31 draw at Newbold on Avon.

The Moorlanders and their Warwickshire hosts couldn’t be separated after 80 minutes or extra-time, which left officials dusting off the RFU regulations to see who would progress.

The two sides were level on converted tries, unconverted tries and penalties, which ensured that Leek were declared the winners because they were the away team.

They will now host Midlands Two West North rivals Bridgnorth on March 15, sitting just two wins away from Twickenham.

Leek drew first blood with the trusty boot of Gary McDermott slotting over a penalty inside two minutes.

However, Newbold on Avon, who play in Midlands Two East South, brushed off that slow start as a catch and drive from a line-out afforded their inside centre the chance to crash over for a converted try.

McDermott reduced the deficit with another successful penalty, and it was becoming apparent that there would be little to choose between the two form sides as the tie unfolded.

A couple more successful kicks from McDermott, plus two from the hosts, saw Leek head into half-time 13-12 adrift.

Backed by 60 travelling supporters, Leek started the second period on the front foot and were duly rewarded with their first try after 47 minutes.

The Moorlanders worked the ball through several phases, before Luke Granger powered over from a ruck, with McDermott adding the extra two points for a 19-13 lead.

They couldn’t shake off Newbold on Avon, though, with the hosts successfully kicking another penalty to keep themselves within range.

And after McDermott had struck the woodwork from distance, Newbold took advantage of another Leek infringement to draw level with a penalty.

The ebb and flow nature of the encounter continued, with a slick back division move enabling the Newbold centre to gallop home to make the score 24-19 to the hosts.

Leek’s hopes of reaching the final appeared to be dwindling, but with just six minutes remaining, Sam Hunt crossed the line to send the tie into extra-time.

Newbold, playing with the wind behind them in the first half of the extra period, moved 31-24 clear with another converted try.

And there were just moments remaining when Leek found that all-important play after McDermott kicked for a line-out eight metres from the try line.

Newbold held up the Moorlanders’ drive, but pressure told and they conceded a flurry of penalties.

With time almost up, Dan Needham spun the ball wide from a quick tap and released Nick Palmer to dive over.

The drama wasn’t over, though, and it required the cool head of McDermott to slot over the conversion to leave the teams tied at 31-31.

The full-time whistle was greeted by a mixture of exhaustion and bemusement as to who would move through to the final – and ultimately it was Leek who were celebrating.

Article source: http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/feb/16/owen-farrell-england-ireland

Rugby Union: Leek book their place in Intermediate Cup final