Gallant Leigh lose to leaders

On Saturday Leigh entertained league leaders Kirby Lonsdale still smarting from the narrow loss earlier in the season.
Leigh took the game to the visitors in a fine 1st half performance which was played almost exclusively in the Kirby half of the field.
Full back Ryan opened the scoring with a penalty after 5 minutes.
Further pressure by great kick and chase by Middleton-Adams, Ryan and dangerous winger Olly Shepherd, kept Kirby under pressure and a late tackle on Shepherd allowed Ryan to score again with another fine kick.
Leigh were thwarted by a tackle on Shepherd in the corner after a well worked move, but Leigh couldn't quite turn pressure into points and had to settle for a 6-0 half time lead.
If Leigh dominated the first half, Kirby did the same in the second. Converted tries after 10 and 30 minutes took them into a 14-6 lead and with Leigh taking chances in the dying moments a handling error awarded Kirby a try under the posts for a final 21-6 win.
Coach Vila will have been pleased with a fine first half and gritty defensive display in the second half but Kirby deserved their victory, and Vila will be hoping for more victories which will surely come in 2016.

Match report kindly written by Greg Middleton-Adams.