Rugby the winner as Letterkenny narrowly overcome Leek RUFC 26 – 24
In the last match of the season Letterkenny entertained Leek RUFC on tour from North Staffordshire. Leek have had a fantastic season winning their league and securing promotion to Midlands 2. They brought a group of 35 people including players from all 3 teams and the coaches and President of their club PJ McDermott. Letterkenny also fielded a mixed Presidents XV with a predominance of younger players from the Youth system during the last three years. Old timers Roulston, Love, Worth and Robinson raised the average age of the team by about 15 years. The game kicked off with Letterkenny having a fairly clear advantage in the backs and the lineout and Leek enjoying dominance in the scrum and at the breakdown. Having brought 7 prop forwards and only five backs on tour, Leek were always going to prefer a tight game with rucking and mauling being the way forward. Letterkenny used their smaller amount of possession much more expansively using their advantage in open play. The first score came from a break through the centres by the Letterkenny centre who released paceman Stuart McLean who finished superbly for a great try. Leek came back hard through their dominant pack and ground up to the Letterkenny line for a period of pressure. The young lighter Letterkenny pack defended bravely but eventually the pressure told and Leek scored a fine forwards try through veteran prop Brommer. Roger Roulstone entered the fray at No 8 and steadied the young Letterkenny pack. Letterkenny scored again in a similar manner to the first score with Stuart McLean using his pace after a super passing movement down the Letterkenny backline. Again Leek responded with another try after several rolling mauls using the big boys hitting harder as the effects of the previous night wore off. Unconverted for a 12 – 10 lead to the Letterkenny boys side at half time. The Letterkenny men faced into the wind and the slope in the second half and continued run the ball open. James Keys moved into the centre, Brendan Smith replaced Sean McNicholl and Robbie Love came onto the wing for Jason Daly. Full back Damien Williamson made some searing breaks using his pace and was unlucky to get caught by the full back having done the hard work. Excellent follow up work by Phillip Robinson created a try as Williamson pooped the ball for Phillip to score a fine try. Converted by Phillip this was great rugby. Next to score was James Keys who tore through the centre having linked well with number 8 Roger Roulstone. Again converted by Phillip Robinson the Letterkenny team were pulling away as the nights activities caught up with the Leek side. All credit to the tourists as they came back with an impressive fight back. Lead by No 8 Paddy Lawlor using silky running skills and his wicked pace he streaked down the right wing beating all the Letterkenny backs to score a fine individual try. Still not done, Leek out half Jonty Cooper threw some theatrical dummies before spinning the ball out through the backs to veteran winger Phil Whyte who still had the instinct to find the line even he could not really see it. Leek were back in the match and were two points behind with five minutes to play. The defence was heroic and the attack was desparate as the teams vied for supremacy. The young boys from Letterkenny held out and the whistle went for a narrow bur deserved win. Four tries each and rugby was the winner. Full back Damien Williamson was awarded as the LRFC man of the match and Leek Flanker – Nettle was awarded the Leek Player of the match. Gifts were exchanged and presentations made, hog roast devoured and Heineken consumed. The party then retired to the town for an evening of quiet reflection and social pleasantries. The Leek captain Reano gave out more gifts in the Orchard Inn which were gratefully accepted by all present. Later he went socialising with a leprachaun fulfilling a lifetime ambition. Thanks to Thermaquip and Roger and Ivan Roulstone and Heineken for the liquid refreshments, The Orchard Inn for a good feed and the Cottage Bar and the Voodoo club for the hospitality and entertainment. Leek RUFC have invited Letterkenny RFC to tour North Staffordshire and will almost certainly be coming back to Letterkenny in the next couple of seasons.
