Leigh’s young players shine in an excellent home win.

Leigh RUFC was a bustling hive of activity, once again yesterday, when 90 Past Players, ‘The Old Boys’, descended on the Clubhouse for a pre-match lunch and a get together for the rest of the day. The Current Players put on a dazzling display for them, out on the pitch, with several of Leigh’s up and coming youngsters catching the eye, in a thrilling victory over our good friends and rivals from Southport. The addition of Sam Peet to Leigh’s ranks was also welcomed and he put on a sterling display.

It was the visitors who took the lead, on eight minutes, with a try from close range but Leigh soon responded with a well taken try by Matty Rudd, who backed up well to score near the Southport sticks. Rob Drake easily added the extras.

The remainder of the half was a close affair with neither side giving an inch but a Southport penalty, just on half time, took the sides off at the break, with Southport leading by eight points to seven.

Leigh came out of the blocks with all guns blazing in the second half and second rower, Chris Boyle, soon forced his way over for a try, converted by Rob Drake to put Leigh back in front.

Southport were very quick to counter this, however, with a breakaway try out wide on the right to put them back within a point of Leigh.

A Rob Drake penalty pushed Leigh into a four-point lead, in the sixtieth minute. Then a quick tap penalty from Alex Leadbetter took Southport by surprise, with the ball being shipped out to the left, for Josh Jones to dot the ball down for a well-constructed try. Captain, Rob Drake, skilfully added the conversion from a difficult angle.

This was almost immediately followed by what must be a contender for ‘try of the season’, when Matty Rudd took a brilliant reverse pass off Kieran Wilkinson, to dummy his way through the Southport back line, before accelerating away from inside his own half, to score a magnificent try which earned the Bonus Point for Leigh. Mr. Reliable, Rob Drake, slotted the conversion to take the sides off with Leigh being the worthy winners.

Final Score Leigh 31 Southport 13.

Next week Leigh travel away to Tarleton who are four places below them in the Table, K.O. 2.15 p.m.