Anselmians 32 v Leigh 26

Playing at Vauxhall Sports club due to ground and clubhouse works at Eastham, Anselmians attacked from the start were looking dominant in the first few minutes until Leigh won the ball.
A passage of play down the left wing, with a series of fast offloads leading to Joe Harrison registering the first points of the day. Converted by Drake.

Within 10 mins Anselmians had replied and scored under the posts to level the scores and then fast hands lead to a try in the corner with Leigh struggling to get the ball and looking slightly disarrayed. 14-7
Another converted penalty kept Leigh within striking distance but fast hands from Anselmians lead to another try despite the best efforts of an exposed Jamie King.
Another infringement in the centre of the field gave Leigh an opportunity to finish the first half at 19-13 which they gladly took.

Leigh started the second half well but exposure on the wing, resulted in a penalty, giving the on-form Anselmians goalkicker three more points to his tally.
Another exchange of converted penalties were completed and Leigh were now putting on the pressure. From a strong Leigh scrum, the ball was moved through hands and a step inside with an offloaded ball to Jamie King put Leigh under the posts.
With the conversion over, Leigh were beginning to wrestle back control. 25-23

More pressure by Leigh saw a deft chipover, that was desperately cleared by Anselmians. On a different day, it would have been collected but it was not to be.
Another infringement by Anselmians gave Leigh another shot at goal. The penalty attempt by Drake was successful and Leigh had regained the lead, 25-26.
Anselmians kept up the pressure with an unsuccessful penalty attempt from halfway, but then pinned Leigh in their 22. Following a scrum reset, a pick and break put the score at 32-26.

The desire to get a win was evident in Leigh’s final 10 mins of play
It almost paid full dividends as they pounded a solid and well drilled defence with 22 phases of pressure, forwards and backs combining, attacking on the left before switching right, moving back to the middle and using both wings again.
Pulsating rugby, but Anselmians were not for giving this game up as the referee brought the match to a close after the ball was spilled, and Leigh had to settle for a losing bonus point.

FT 32-26.

In summary, although disappointing to lose, the positives were there to see. Ball retention and decision making at its best this season, leading to the forwards being more fluid and the backs electrifying when finding space.
The team continues to improve each week and we maintain our highest position for two seasons to sit 4th in North2West.