UNLUCKY THIRTEEN ~ Leigh 18 Blackburn 26

Leigh's run of twelve wins ended their thus successful run when Blackburn displaced them from the top spot.
This was always going to be a keenly fought affair and so it proved to be so.
In the early stages Leigh tried to crowd the Blackburn team inside their twenty two metre area, however, long raking kicks by the visitors stand off constantly drove Leigh back putting them on the defence.
An infringement after only five minutes gave the Blackburn centre a shot at goal, Leigh were now three points adrift.
The same tactics, another indiscretion by Leigh, and over went the second penalty, Leigh six nil down at this stage.
Next it was Leigh's turn to register points, good ball retention, quick passing along the Leigh backs line gave Keiron Duffy a glimpse of the try line. He was pulled down a couple of metres short, the ball then quickly re-cycled among the backs to give Olly Shepherd space to score wide out,
Rob Drake's conversion attempt bouncing on the upright back into play.
Five-six down at half time and the game looked set for another pulsating forty minutes.

Starting the second half Leigh were to hold the lead for the first and last time with Rob Drake converting a penalty.
Back came Blackburn with a well converted try quickly followed by a seven pointer gifted to them by aimless kicking from Leigh.
The game see-sawed from end to end with the visitors astute line kicking which was a prominent and effective feature of their game.
A purple patch from the home side eventually allowed Dave Woods to power over for a converted try,
Leigh at fifteen twenty down were back in it now.
Successful penalties were exchanged, still keeping a five point lead in Blackburn's favour, Leigh lost out for a bonus point in the seventyninth minute when a converted penalty ended the scoring at eighteen points to twenty six in Blackburn's favour.

To sum up the match, Blackburn on the day were a better side, more tactically aware than Leigh and giving away far less penalties. Although this was a high profile match for both sides, credit must be given to the players for the spirit in which it was played, hard, physical and highly competitive.
Without doubt the best match seen at Round Ash Park this season, Leigh's players and spectators will be looking forward to the return match in 2015.