BLACKPOOL Scorpions entertained second-placed Leigh Royal Oak and gave them a good game for an hour, but ran out of steam in the last 20 minutes and eventually lost 32-14
Although there was a strong wind blowing across the pitch, both sides tried to play open rugby.
The game was fairly even in the first quarter and there was no score after 20 minutes, then Leigh took the lead with two unconverted tries.
The last ten minutes of the half belonged to the Scorpions with Dave Ratcliffe and Keith Slater both going close, but all they had to show for it was a Craig Campbell penalty.
After the break Campbell kicked three successive penalties in the strong wind which levelled the scores at 8-8.
Once again concerted pressure by the Scorpions proved tryless.
Totally against the run of play, Leigh went the full length of the field on their next set of six and scored to lead 12-8.
The Scorpions then started to drop off tackles and their opponents ran in four more tries to lead 32-8.
The Scorpions scored a consolation try near the end when Daron Green managed to release the ball in the tackle and Andy Johnston dived over.
Mark Chapman converted to make the final score 32-14.
The Scorpions gave a good account of themselves against strong opposition apart from that disastrous 15 minutes spell in the second half when they went to sleep and allowed their opponents to run in five tries.
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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