Leigh 3rd 0, Heaton Moor 10: WITH their first team game cried off, Heaton Moor sent a mixed side that included two contracted Kiwi's to face Leigh's Third team.
The visitors started shakily however, with Leigh pinning them onto their line for large parts of the half, but were unable to turn pressure into points.
Leigh went close with two long range penalty attempts that would have given them the lead at half time, however strong defence by both sides ensured a 0-0 score at the break.
As the second half opened, the experienced Heaton Moor pack started to dominate in the loose, giving the Kiwi stand-off just that little bit more time, which he used to good effect, moving the ball down the line well on two occassions for tries in the corner.
Leigh's defence was outstanding, thwarting numerous attacks as Heaton Moor began to raise their game as the half progressed, but they were unable to break the Leigh line again to leave the score 10-0 in the visitors favour as the final whistle blew.
Aldwinians 3rd 7, Tofts 34
The Tofts returned to winning ways with a crushing defeat of their South Manchester opposition.
After so many weeks of being stitched up by first and second teams, it was a pleasure to see the Tofts matched against a genuine third team.
Leigh took an early lead with a pick-up from No 8 Smith, reating the gap for stand-off Yates to show an exhilarating burst of speed through the heart of the Aldwinians defence. A second soon followed which was a classic Barbarian-style affair that even stopped the game on the neighbouring pitch as players looked on.
The banana boys in Leigh's back row, Lawrinson and Green ran from their own 22 metre area with a dazzling interchange of passing and changes of direction, leaving the home defence in tatters as they scored under the posts.
The second half saw more superb linking between Leigh's forwards and backs. Centre Fairclough, ably supported by Friar and Hilton, was cutting the Aldwinian back line apart. He notched up four tries and two conversions.
The Tofts lost two players, Nugent with a torn ear and Porteous with a leg injury, but Aldwinians only consolation was a kick and chase try after a rare lapse in the Leigh defence.
Coach Green was well pleased with his team's spirit and effort and applauded all fifteen players, giving man of the match to prop Graham Boyle.
Leigh U16s 22, Tyldesley 5
Leigh took to the field on the back of two consecutive wins and were confident of making it three.
Tyldesley started strongly and put the Leigh forwards under early pressure. Thomas Baker and Shaun Grundy steadied the Leigh pack allowing Andrew Clamp to go over for his first try. From the re-start Tyldesley took the game to Leigh and were held up over the line three times before it was finally cleared Declan Crehan.
Time and time again the Leigh and Tyldesley packs fiercely contested the rucks and mauls with no quarter given by either team. Quick ball by Leake from a ruck allowed Pirrie to score one of his trademark tries.
Following a surging run from Adam Carnie at fullback Andrew Clamp scored his second try.
Tyldesley were never out of the game and mounted several attacks into the Leigh '22'. A sliced clearance by Leigh saw Tyldesley score in the corner to make the score 15-5.
In the last few minutes of the game Leigh started to use the backs and following a darting run up the wing Anthony Shaw scored. Clamp converted to make the final score 22-5 in Leigh's favour.
Leigh U15s 7, Sandbach 10
Sandbach put Leigh under pressure from the start, but keen defence kept the visitors at bay. Leigh hit back with some good attacking play but this well drilled Sandbach side wouldn't falter. Eventually from a kick through Sandbach took the lead, which they added to shortly afterwards when Leigh were down to 13 men.
In the second half Leigh applied more pressure and Knapman's power brushed aside four defenders as he crashed over, for Rushworth to convert. A frantic last 10 minutes saw both sides go close but unfortunately Leigh's winning run came to an end.
Sandbach U14s 65, Leigh 7
Leigh travelled to Sandbach for their last outing before Christmas, but found none of the seasonal spirit on the field. They came up against a side who were used to throwing the ball knowing that support would be there, and Leigh were soon under pressure. Leigh were always going to struggling but were not helped by a penalty count of 28 against and only one awarded for them.
Leigh put some good moves together and also tackled hard with Riley, Roberts, Poole and Fiendley putting their bodies on the line for the team. The visitors tried hard to break the home defence with Horry, Davis, Stafford, Brown and Innes being stopped by the last man. In the end it took flanker Lees to dance around the Sandbach defensive line to score, for Parkinson to convert.
Sandbach U13s 35, Leigh 17
Leigh took a severely depleted squad of 12 to Sandbach for this final fixture of the year. Thirteen players took to the field, to face a full 15 of Sandbach, having borrowed Andrew Krow from the U14's squad. A solid first half performance from the entire team held Sandbach to a 10-5 lead at half-time, with Gareth Davies scoring a well worked try.
Late in the first half and early in the second, Leigh suffered two key injuries with Sandbach loaning three of their own players to substitute. The second half began well for Leigh, who were able to tie the game at 17-17, with excellent tries from Jonathan Grimshaw and Chris Govin, converted by Andrew Newton.
However, a mistake by the referee allowed Sandbach to pull clear and with fresh players taking to the field in the final quarter, Sandbach scored a two further tries and a converted penalty.
Broughton Park U10s 20, Leigh 10
Tyldesley U10s 15, Leigh z10
Leigh travelled to St Georges Park, Tyldesley to find themselves in a round-robin tournament.
In the first game against Broughton Park, Leigh took the lead twice only to surrender it to a good speedy Broughton team, not to mention gritty defending. Leigh's tries came from Marcus Williams and Jonathan Tipper.
In the second game against Tyldesley, Christmas came early again for the opposition, with Leigh giving away everything without a fight. Leigh went into this game thinking they only had to turn up, having never lost to this team, but how wrong they were. As in the first game Leigh did not pass or tackle and were punished.
They did suffer a setback early in the first half with a neck injury to one of Leigh's players Matthew Unsworth, who had to be taken to hospital. This should have made Leigh more determined but it wasn't to be, with Tyldesley coming away with a well deserved victory. Tries came from Sam Peet and Richard Thorpe.
Leigh U9s 30, Tyldesley U9s 0
Leigh's stiff defence was again the major factor in the winning performance against local rivals Tyldesley. New boy Zac Nicholls had an exceptional game in defence and attack which saw him storm over for a classy hat-trick. Good performances by other new boys James Pemberton and Ben helped Leigh cruise to victory. Leigh's other try scorers were Sam Oultram 2 and James Wilkinson.
Man of the Match was Zac Nicholls and Best Defensive Display was by Nico Moorfield.
Leigh U7/U8s 50, Tyldesley U8s 0
Leigh's speedy youngsters spoiled Tyldesley's Christmas party and came away with a good win, notable performances from Jones, Hewitson, Lythgoe, good defensive spells from O'Dwyer, Roddy and Carney helped Mcloughlin (1),Roddy (2), Hewitson (1),Gannon (5) and ODwyer (1) to score well taken tries. Top Tagger McLoughlin, Top Try Scorer Gannon, Man of the Match Christopher Thorpe.
Leigh U7/U8s 45, Broughton Park U8s 10
Leigh's combined strength of excellent defence and attacking flair were to much for a massive Broughton Park outfit. All player played their part in a convincing win, McLoughlin excellent in defence, Hampson showed he is settling down well with a strong performance and Whittingham and Jonathon Thorpe were tireless in both attack and defence. Top Tagger: Mcloughlin, Top Try Scorer: Roddy/Carney/Gannon, Men of the Match: Ward/McKerchar.
Fixtures for Saturday 20th December
1st XV: Wigan at home, meet at 12.30pm.
2nd XV: Wigan away, meet at 1pm.
3rd XV: Tyldesley away, meet at 1pm.
Tofts: Broughton Park at home, meet at 1.15pm.
Vets: Wigan at home, meet at 1.30pm.
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