Bridgnorth victory bid thwarted
Bridgnorth paid the price for leaving the game on a knife-edge as they were edged out of their bid to become only the second team to beat Leek this season.
The All Blacks lost 3-0 at the Midlands Two West North league leaders on Saturday, after a single penalty from the hosts in the second-half settled a cagey affair.
Leek's long-range effort opened their account but Bridgnorth dominated the line-out, as the visitors lost one of their players to a second yellow card late on.
But the visitors opted against taking the simple penalty to draw the game, choosing a scrummage against Leek's depleted pack, who were trundled back almost to the line.
However, the All Blacks' back row failed to keep the ball at their feet and, as it squirted out, Leek managed to scramble the ball away as the whistle went.
Dan Griffiths' side had also seen Ryan Arnel's try in the corner disallowed for a forward pass, referee Josh Smith waving away appeals as they finished the game scoreless.
The Leek pitch was in remarkable condition considering the surrounding countryside and with both sides running and handling well, play swung from one end to another.
Captain Griffiths said: "They may have only lost one game this season, but I don't think Leek are the best side in the league and it wasn't our greatest performance at all.
"We had a chance to draw but we went for the scrum, although that's no excuse for the result and it was a shame. On another day, it could have gone either way.
"We wanted to chase the win and the ball popped out the back of the scrum, then we had a disallowed try for a forward pass when Ryan went over in the corner.
"We got ourselves back into the game and put ourselves in a position to win it, which we nearly did."
Bridgnorth were left short at fly-half after Dave Hadkiss dropped out with a knee injury, while blindside flanker Ben Rochelle was replaced through illness in the first-half.
Bridgnorth are next scheduled to contest a Shropshire derby on Saturday at home to Ludlow, who saw their home clash against Aston Old Edwardians postponed.
But the Edgar Davies Ground has been left flooded after the downpours of the last two weeks, leaving their next fixture in huge doubt unless the weather improves.
In South Lancashire & Cheshire Division Two, Oswestry remain in mid-table after a 10-5 defeat to the Vagabonds, visiting from the Isle of Man.
Nick Howland's unconverted try was as good as it got for the home side, who suffered their first home defeat of the season and their maiden loss of 2014.
