Kendal snatch victory with last play

Leigh were beaten, in their opening League match of the season, by a strong, well drilled Kendal team.

The Cumbrian side set their stall out from the first whistle and they took the game to Leigh with their big pack running tirelessly at the Leigh defence.

They took the lead after twenty minutes of relentless pressure when their Left Winger carved through the Leigh defensive line to score a converted try by the Leigh posts (0-7).

Leigh managed to pull back three points on the stroke of half time through a Rob Drake penalty but the First Half spoils certainly went to Kendal with Leigh only threatening the Kendal line about four times in the half.

The second half saw a different Leigh side appear and they were soon rewarded, on 43 minutes, when their hard running No 8, Chris Boyle smashed his way over the line for a try converted by Rob Drake (10-7).

However, a poor clearance kick by Leigh on 50 minutes, let Kendal back into it with their Left Winger collecting the ball to put their Fly Half through for another converted try (10-14).

Two minutes later, a lovely chip through by Rob Drake found Jimmy Wilkinson out wide for him to scamper over for an excellent unconverted try (15-14).

Kendal bounced back and they were rewarded with a converted penalty on 65 minutes but a Rob Drake penalty on 70 minutes seemed to have clinched victory for Leigh (18-17).

Leigh fought hard to keep hold of the ball and run down the clock but unfortunately Kendal got a turnover in the last play of the game and their masterful Fly Half smashed over the winning drop goal from 35 metres out.

A cruel blow for Leigh but, on balance, Kendal would have been disappointed if they had lost in this thrilling encounter.

Final Score Leigh 18 Kendal 20.