BLACKPOOL Scorpions had 12 players missing from last season's promotion-winning rugby squad and suffered a 38-8 defeat against last season's Division 5 champions, Leigh Royal Oak.

However, they took the lead with a Craig Campbell penalty, but in sweltering conditions the Leigh side hit back with three converted tries to lead 18-2 at half-time.

In the first half the Scorpions put pressure on the Leigh line but just couldn't breach the defence.

Leigh increased their lead to 22-2 with another try just after the break.

Craig Campbell scored a good try after the Scorpions had taken a quick tap penalty and converted to make it 22-8.

Paul Gamble crashed over the line but the referee ruled that he had been held up. Dave Ratcliffe took a quick tap penalty and dived over but the referee brought him back saying he had taken it too quickly.

However, Leigh ran in three tries in the last 10 minutes.

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