Leigh’s ‘Winter of Discontent’ continues.

After last week’s spirited performance away at the Vale of Lune, where Leigh put up a very commendable performance, hopes were high in the camp this week that maybe this would be the game that turned things around but alas it was not to be.
Leigh were the first to trouble the scorekeeper after three minutes when Sean MacDonald slid onto a chip through from Rob Drake for the opening try which was duly converted by Rob Drake.
Rochdale were quick to respond, however, after twelve minutes with a penalty goal but they soon added to their tally when they drove over the Leigh line from close quarters after twenty minutes for a converted try.
Five minutes later, Rochdale extended their lead care of a penalty for an offside infringement by Leigh. Half-time Leigh 7 Rochdale 13.
Conditions were certainly against a game of free flowing rugby and the second half quickly deteriorated into a dour exchange of a lot of effort but with little reward.
Rochdale further extended their lead just after half time when they converted another penalty but Leigh countered quickly when Elliot Ryan slotted over a penalty to narrow the points difference to six.
However, confidence probably prevailed in the end and Rochdale added a further two penalties to their total to run out as the duly deserved winners. Final score Leigh 10 Rochdale 22.
The effort of the Leigh lads was, again, praiseworthy and they played with a lot of heart and commitment but that first victory of the season is still eluding them.
Perhaps it will come next week when they travel away to play their very good friends and rivals, Widnes, who are also having a very slow start to their season.