A big thank you to Mark Hardern from Leek RUFC for submitting this article! Mark has discussed how the rugby club are shaping up ahead of their first league game this weekend.

Leek RUFC 1XV commence their new league season at home, Esterchem park, this coming Saturday vs Tamworth- 3pm kick off.

The team will again be captained by Ed Cheadle. As a result of the pandemic, season 20/21 was cut short for the squad and as a result they were given 4th place and lost out on a Staffs cup final appearance.

During the past 18 months both the senior and junior rugby sections have continued training alongside the relevant restrictions at the time.

Over the past eight weeks the senior group have completed their pre season schedule under new head coach, Joel Booth.

Part of the schedule for the 1XV has included four home pre season friendlies which has allowed a mixture of experiences to be viewed by the coaching team.

Last Saturday the 1XV came out winners against Ashbourne 29-12 with the 2XV development team beating stoke 2XV 35-5 and the 3XV losing out to Uttoxeter 2XV.

Leek 2XV have already commenced their league season coming out winners to Whitchurch in early September. They again return to league action under new captain, Will Hill, this coming Saturday with a trip to Heaton Moor .

The 3XV play hosts at home to Rugeley 2XV - 3pm kick off.

Head coach, Booth commented: "After a difficult 18 months for our families and rugby I have been satisfied with our pre season schedule with three from four wins and having seen the development of our past colts team and bringing those players into the senior section to support the blend of experience.

"I don't want to make predictions on the season ahead but I am hopeful we can continue from where we left off on March 2020."

The 1XV game this Saturday will also have a past players/Vice President pre match buffet on offer at the club with the bar open from 1.30pm. It would be great to see any past players to catch up at the club.

Any boys/girls or men who want to play rugby please visit the club website for contact details as all sections have commenced training and playing.

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