Leigh RUFC 16-10 Vale of Lune RUFC

Leigh turned recent form upside down as they outplayed the previously unbeaten league leaders, and pulled themselves clear of the relegation zone. The early pressure came from Leigh when Vale failed to secure the kick-off. Leigh were to test the visitors defence, but their only reward was a penalty from young full-back Elliot Ryan.
Vale then went on the attack from the restart and scored with clinical efficiency from the catch and drive. The touchline conversion and early scrum dominance put them in the ascendency. However Leigh were in determined mood, and gradually began to assert their superiority. Young fly half Jimmy Wilkinson went close, before a searing break from the same player produced the first Leigh try. He appeared to have taken the wrong option when he dummied and went for the posts , to be tackled just short, but the ball was recycled through Ryan for winger Adam Dyson to score in the corner.
Leigh were now in total control in all phases and battered at the visitors line. This pressure forced the errors. Firstly their big second row was red-carded for stamping. Secondly, their defensive line was broken, when Leigh refused the easy penalty. The Wood brothers combined superbly as David sent younger sibling Iain crashing over for an interval score of 13---7.
The second period was a more defensive affair, as both sides dug deep. Wilkinson was playing like a veteran as his probing kicks gained territorial advantage, before sub Dave Harrison kicked an important penalty.
Vale now began to show why they top the league, and were to dominate field position in the last quarter. Leigh were equally determined to show new coach, Vila Matautia their defensive qualities as they restricted the visitors to a single penalty, to seal an excellent victory.