New faces shine for Leigh RU

LEIGH RU and Rossendale fought out a competitive pre-season friendly with the home emerging 20-5 winners.

Both sets of managers made numerous changes throughout the 80 minutes to ensure that they had a good look at their playing strengths.

From a Leigh perspective, it was good to see that the new faces in the camp this year, Simon Jones, Lee Cunliffe and Paul Wilcock impressed.

Jones had an effective game defensively in the pack, Cunliffe putting in a sterling performance at scrum half, while Wilcock showed his class in the back line with a number of breaks, one of which resulted in the first try.

His ability to kick both from the hand and at goal will be an asset to the team this season.

Looking at some other new faces at least in the first team if not at the club, it was particularly gratifying to see the younger players making an impression.

Ian Wood looked especially comfortable in the front row as well as around the park. Matt Newton, Ryan Mckinstry and Wood, all of them still playing Colts rugby, showed the promise that says it will only be a matter of time before they regularly start pulling on the first team strip. So too Neil Hunt, this will be his first full season at open age and he does not look out of place.

Both Dave Thompson and Dave Peet were impressed with the commitment that all the players showed. Kev McKenna, the second team manager was happy too, he realises that he will have a strong team to field in their first league game of the season against Tyldesley at Hand Lane next Saturday.

Both teams will be at home against Tyldesley on Saturday with the first XV competing for the annual Sean Grainey Trophy. The Game will be sponsored by the Leigh Arms and kicks off at 3pm. A BBQ has been organised as well as a beer tent.

WEEKEND TEAMS

1st XV and 2nd XV, home v Tyldesley. From: Ainscough, Bailey, Bates D., Bates S., Bentham, Boardman, Bridge, Brown, Bullough, Carlile, Collier, Cunliffe, Davies, Dewhurst, Eccleston, Egerton, Fade, Fisher, Fletcher, Greenough, Hampson P., Hampson N., Harrison, Holmes, Hughes, Hunt, Jones, McKinstry, Miller, Mills, Newton, O'Neil, Parker, Penn, Prescott, Robinson, Wilcock, Wood, Wright, Wynn, Young. Meet at 1.15pm.

Vets: From: Cunnings, Bailey, Dainty, Hampson, Marsden, Harper, Sutton, Taberner, Ransom, Saunders, McKinstry, Westwell, Woods D., Owen, Billinge, Clegg, Tustin, Marrow, Thompson, Unsworth, Marsh, Wood S., Smith. Pool Meet at 1.30pm.

Tofts: From: Porteous, Parkinson, Isherwood, Lawrenson, Fallon, Yates, Miller, Riley, Butler, Osborn, Smith, Lycett, Green B., Green G., Ramsell, Vickers, Leake, Grimshaw, Appleton, McKeever, Drinnan, Hilton. Pool Meet at 1.30pm.