LEIGH TAKE THE POINTS

Leigh had to contend with a long haul up to Whitehaven coupled with the non availability of key players in this vital league match.

The first half had Leigh trying to get to grips with a very tricky pitch which had numerous twists and slopes to contend with.
After ten minutes of play No 8 Graham Robinson had to leave the pitch with concussion to be replaced by Calvin Crompton.
At this stage Leigh were struggling to find any rhythm and were firmly entrenched in their own half.
Pressure was turned into points in the home teams favour with their stand off slotting over a penalty on the twenty first minute.
This seemed to galvanise Leigh into action, Anthony Bentham put Leigh into an attacking position with some astute line kicks.
Leigh then started to use driving mauls which had the homesters at sixes and sevens.
From one such maul, it was skipper Iain Wood who on thirty six minutes crossed for an unconverted try.

Having the advantage of the wind and slope after the turn around Leigh soon had the home side under pressure.
Four minutes of play and Rob Drake put Leigh eight three up with a penalty. Next on the score sheet was Jimmy Wilkinson, who ghosted his way through a packed defence and crossed the line for a converted try.
At this stage of the game yellow cards were being handed out to both teams like confetti, with Richard Philips making one of the shortest ever 1st team debuts
It was difficult to keep track as to who was playing where since all of Leighs’ acting scrum halves got on the wrong side of the referee. Olly Shepherd also vacated the pitch as he attempted an interception.
With both teams having to contend with enforced changes, gaps began to appear in the defensive line ups.
First to capitalize was the home side with a converted try and then, three minutes later Rob Drake scored after the speedy Olly Shepherd put the defence in disarray with Rob Drake converting.
Back came Whitehaven to narrow the gap with a try scored wide out, Leigh retaliated when powerful running by Alex Middleton Adams gave Tom Costello just enough space to crash over for the bonus point try.
In the final minute of play the never say die Whitehaven who had narrowed the gap to seven point earned themselves a bonus point.

Leigh were perhaps fortunate to clinch this win, but, credit must be given to them for grinding this victory out. Catching the eye for Leigh was Ryan McInstry in the three quarters with a promising first full game for flanker Tom Costello.

A good day out with 3 remaining Cumbrian trips to see through before the end of the season.