Wolves of Wilmslow repelled by Leyther Horde

A lot of work on the pitch, following heavy overnight rain, ensured that this game went ahead, at the second time of asking. Thank you very much to all involved.

Leigh welcomed the return of two ‘Old Heads’, in Ryan McKinstry and David Wood, plus Ross Shepherd was available, once more, to resume his position on the flank – all three were to play a very influential role in this victory.

An early indiscretion by Wilmslow gave Leigh the chance to take the lead and Elliott Ryan stepped up to the plate to slot the penalty, which gave Leigh a three- point advantage, after five minutes.

Within a few minutes, good hands through the backs eventually got the ball to Jimmy Wilkinson, who carved his way through the heart of the Wolves defence, to score under the posts for a try, converted by Elliott Ryan.

Wilmslow, however, were quick to react to this and a well measured, cross field kick, from a penalty, found their full back in space, for him to dive over out wide on the right, for a try which was very well converted to make the score Leigh 10 Wilmslow 7.

A penalty from Wilmslow on thirty-six minutes levelled the scores.

An excellent break by Rob Drake, however, three minutes later, found Ollie Farley in support and his sharp burst into the line drew the defence. His brilliant offload to Jimmy Wilkinson, gave Jimmy the space to completely wrong foot the scampering Wilmslow defence, to finish off another brilliant run under the Wilmslow sticks, for Leigh’s second try which was again duly converted by Elliott Ryan.

Half time Leigh 17 Wilmslow 10.

Wilmslow soon regrouped and they were rewarded on fifty minutes, when a well organised, driving maul took them over the Leigh line, for an unconverted try, to narrow the deficit to two points.

Leigh extended their lead through two more Ellott Ryan penalties and Wilmslow added a penalty of their own, on sixty-five minutes, to set up a very tense and exciting final fifteen minutes.

Both sides went at each other, in this final period but neither side could breach the other’s defence and Leigh eventually emerged as worthy winners by 23 points to 18.

Another excellent all round performance from the Leigh lads who have really dug deep in the last few weeks to produce some very well earned victories.
Next week, they travel to sixth placed Blackburn, in what again will be a very testing encounter in their fight for survival in North One West.