Game goes to the Wire

A further spirited display by the Leigh lads, which unfortunately, resulted in another defeat at the hands of high-flying Warrington.

This game turned out to be a thrilling encounter, with both sides eager to throw the ball about, in appalling conditions and special credit should be given to the Warrington ground staff, who must have worked tirelessly to get this game on.

Wire were the first on the scoreboard after about 12 minutes when a great break and offload by Jono Smith put them over for an unconverted try.

Leigh were quick to respond, two minutes later, when Rob Drake dummied his way over from 20 metres out for an excellent try which was converted by Eliot Ryan.

Warrington fashioned another score on 28 minutes when Jono Smith again worked some magic to put their left-winger over for another unconverted try wide out on the left.

Again Leigh were to reply immediately with a penalty by Ryan under the Warrington sticks but the teams went off with Warrington leading 17 – 10 at half time when their big centre dummied and stepped his way over the Leigh line from 25 metres out for a converted try.

The second half continued in a similar vein, with Leigh exerting early pressure in the Warrington 22 metre area but unfortunately, Warrington latched onto a speculative pass from Leigh to intercept and scamper away for a converted try after 47 minutes.

However, the Leigh lads were not ready to lie down and within five minutes Ryan McKinstry ran onto a peach of a short ball to crash over near the Warrington posts for a try converted by Ryan.

Leigh kept up the pressure and a lovely chip through by Rob Drake after 60 minutes found Jimmy Wilkinson on the end of it to jink his way over for a well executed try. Warrington 24 Leigh 22.

With twenty minutes to go both sides threw everything at each other but it was Warrington who were the ones to seal the victory when a great break by them down the left hand flank resulted in what was to be the match-winning, unconverted try.

Leigh battled manfully to the end and were very unlucky not to score a try under the Warrington posts in the closing minutes but the ball was adjudged to have been knocked on.

Final score Warrington 29 Leigh 22.

An excellent game of rugby, played in good spirit, in energy sapping conditions but at least Leigh came away with yet another losing bonus point.

Next week Leigh are at home to Eccles, in what must amount to being a ‘must win’ encounter.