A DEPLETED Leigh RU team can count themselves unlucky to lose their re-arranged league match against high-flying Birchfield by 19-12.

Taking the field with a hardly-recognisable back division, their task was made considerably harder by poor refereering performance and the early loss of full back Wright.

A series of early penalties assured that they took advantage of this generosity by converting three and scrambled a try for a half-time lead of 14-0.

Responded

The Leigh pack, however, responded well in the second half and had their counterparts on the defensive with a series of strong forward drives. This set up a platform for Harrison to score under the posts and Bentham to convert.

Shortly afterwards, a similar position saw stand-off Marsh split the cover defence with a long pass to put Harrison over in the corner for a second try which went unconverted, but closed the gap to 14-12.

Leigh continued to exert pressure but at this time, the official ensured that they gained no further advantage by awarding a series of inexplicable penalties to dull their cutting edge.

In an attempt to snatch a last-gasp win , Leigh were forced to take risks and a late handling error allowed Birchfield a second scrambled try.