LEIGH RU started their new campaign with a 35-26 friendly defeat by West Park.

West Park quickly highlighted their higher league status with two early tries coming from sustained pressure.

However, a relatively inexperienced Leigh side soon highlighted their own credentials with tries from Lester, Lee and Parker. But ultimately it was Leigh's inexperience that was to be the difference between the sides.

West Park's steady rise through the ranks stood them in good stead as they clawed back a nine point margin to retake the lead.

But Leigh showed excellent team spirit and it was only some last ditch defending that kept them out until the closing moments when Bridge scored a neat solo try.

The run out will be beneficial when they meet Wigan in their first league game tomorrow.

WEEKEND TEAMS

Leigh 1st XV ( v Wigan, home, meet 1.15pm) From: M.Prescott, P.Hewitt, S.Davies, S.Young, C.Travers, P.Hampson, S.Haste, P.Robinson, D.Penn, D.Bullough, G.Kenwright, C.Hampson, T.Cartwright, M.Parkes, P.Lee, J.Bridge, J.Carlisle, I.Wright, A.Westwell, D.Finn, S.Lee, P.Lester, N.Dando, D.Derbyshire, R.Fletcher (c).

'A' XV (v Wigan, away, meet 1pm). From: P.Taylor, C.Innes, B.Gallagher, R.Houghton, J.Bibby, S.Wood, C.Boardman, G.Andrews, S.Harrison, J.Hutchinson, C.Hall, B.Kniveton, C.Marsh, P.Baker, I.Westwell, M.Devall, G.Lloyd, P.O'Neil, S.Holmes.

Vets (v Wigan, home, meet 2pm). From: S.Culshaw (c), A.Barton, M.Dainty, T.Sutton, S.Unsworth, J.Eccleston, H.Delaney, D.Clegg, M.Lee, I.McMenemy, L.Pugsley, A.Blackburn, S.owen, C.Seymour, M.Hampson, P.Bailey, S.Ranson, P.Tustin, S.Jones, I.Cummings.

Hawks (v Fleetwood, away, meet 1.30pm). S.Hollingworth, M.Hillary, J.Krause, R.Lawson, J.Will, T.Ashurst, L.Schroder, M.Brunt, B.Vernell, S.Middlehurst, L.Thomas, B.Wright, N.Greenwood (c), G.Erskine; D.Robinson, T.Trumble.

Tofts (v Bury, away, meet 1.30pm). From: J.Porteous, P.Appleton, R.Isherwood, G.Egerton, D.Leake, B.Yates, G.Miller, S.Riley, G.Butler, D.Leck, D.Phillips, J.Mills, G.Vicker, J.Ramsell, G.Green, G.Grimshaw, C.Chatterly, J.Barnes, J.Kenwright.