Manchester RUFC 18-33 Leigh RUFC

Leigh emerged victors in an entertaining game in the well appointed surroundings of the old stadium of Grove Park. The home team belied their lowly league status with a terrific first half performance to stun an in-form Leigh outfit.

Manchester were obviously fired up at the start and threw the proverbial kitchen sink at Leigh, forcing early errors. They were rewarded with a simple penalty and an excellent try for a deserved eight point lead. Leigh now had to dig deep, and on their first good possession after twenty minutes, David Wood found Calvin Crompton for the big back row to burst the defence and send Jimmy Wilkinson in at the corner. Elliott Ryan added a penalty to level the scores, before Manchester ended their good first period with a converted try to regain the lead.

Leigh started the second period down the slope and began to assume control. Elliott Ryan added a penalty to narrow the gap. Leigh then scored an excellent try. Good runs by Anthony Bentham and Ross Shepherd put Leigh on the home line and the forwards battered the door down for Chris Cowley to score his first try at top level. Ryan converted. The home side then had their last surge to draw level with a penalty before Elliott Ryan kicked a monster penalty, to give Leigh a lead they were not to relinquish.

Leigh were now in total command, and Ross Shepherd raced over only to have the ball knocked from his grasp. It was not to matter as an excellent catch and drive by the forwards saw skipper Iain Wood awarded the crucial score. Again Ryan converted. The game concluded when Jimmy Wilkinson scored his second to give Leigh the bonus point.
A fine performance by Leigh on a firm pitch, enjoyed by both sets of spectators.