Leigh bounce back with a win after two week lay off.

Leigh resumed their season, after a two week lay off from League rugby, by entertaining Southport yesterday at Hand Lane. Southport had won the earlier away fixture by 16 points to 5. Leigh had vowed to level things up and they did, scoring three very good tries along the way.

The visitors, however, were the first to set the scoreboard in motion, on five minutes, when, following good hands across their back line, they scored an unconverted try wide out on the right.

Leigh were soon to reply, however, through a cracking try of their own after nine minutes. A clever interchange of passes between Jamie King and Alex Owens got Elliott Ryan into space for him to gallop over, for an excellent try, which was duly converted by Rob Drake, for Leigh to take the lead.

A Rob Drake penalty, on twenty minutes, augmented Leigh’s lead to put them five points in front.

Leigh then repeatedly exerted pressure close to the Southport line, which culminated with a long ball being shipped out wide to Alex Owens, for him to dummy and spin his way out of a couple of tackles, before sprinting over for an unconverted try from fifteen metres out. 15 – 5.

A penalty, awarded to Leigh, in the last minute of the first half, when Jamie King was pulled down in his pursuit of a kick through, was converted by Rob Drake, to take the sides off at the break with Leigh leading by eighteen points to five.

Southport must have had some stern words from their Coach at half time because they came out early in the second half like a different team and dominated the opening ten minutes.

Leigh however, weathered this opening storm and scored another excellent try in the fiftieth minute, when Jamie King scorched away, for a try, which was converted by Rob Drake. 25 – 5.

Southport were quick to respond within two minutes, when good hands got their very dangerous left winger over, near the corner flag, for an unconverted try.

This again seemed to lift their spirits and after nearly fifteen minutes of constant pressure close to the Leigh line, they eventually broke down the resilient Leigh defence, to score a converted try to the right of the Leigh sticks, to put them within eight points of Leigh, with just thirteen minutes to play.

Leigh rallied again and following some good work close to the Southport line, they were awarded a penalty, which Rob Drake slotted to put them eleven points ahead with ten minutes to go.

This remaining ten minutes was a very tense affair, with both sides giving it their all but it was Leigh who emerged victorious by twenty eight points to seventeen.

An excellent display of rugby, by both sides, who really did their best to play some entertaining, attacking rugby.

All the Leigh squad deserve praise for their efforts yesterday and it was especially nice to welcome the return of Ollie Shepherd, who is home from Dubai for a couple of weeks or so. His contribution yesterday was remarkable but Rob Drake was outstanding, with Jamie King and Elliott Liku also catching the eye in this very important victory.

Next week, Leigh travel to Fleetwood, who are three places and eighteen points below them in the League.