Possibly Wigan's only fixture this weekend as matches called off all over the place due to snow and freezing weather conditions. This match afforded a later kick off than usual at 1pm and was played on the 4G artifical pitch at Leigh East ARLFC.

The first half was a very tight affair with both defences countering each others attack. a couple of chances for each side went begging due to handling errors but the quality was generally good.

On 25 minutes Leigh had a good attack down their right wing which was repelled by a good scramble defence from Wigan.
The forwards then worked the ball well up the pitch but then on 29 minutes Leigh came back with a kick and chase which they won with numbers and a good bounce. Their score went unconverted and the whistle went for half time

HT 0-5

Whatever the coaching staff said a half time seemed to work as the lads came out with renewed determination. In the 1st minute with Leigh on the attack Logan read an excellent interception and race three quarters the length of the pitch to score under the posts to level the score. Joss added the extras 5-7

This seemed to give the backs a bit of confidence and after 3 minutes another goo back move enabled Billy to find the gap and race through to score again under the posts with Joss doing the business. 5-14

The match was still tight and both teams testing each other. Wigan forwards dominated the scrum and won several against the head. It was from a defensive scrum near the Wigan line on 8 minutes that Joss and Sam released the back line again right down to Owen F on the wing who rounded his opposite to score under the posts, Joss added the 2. 5-21

The forwards really were taking the game to Leigh who made it difficult to make ground but they persevered, Ethan H had a great game and led by example, and the others all followed. After 17 mins Sam C took the ball up the blind side and after a great step fed Billy who raced between a few defenders to score. Unusually Joss missed this one. (just shows what high standards he's set himself) 5-26

A fumbled catch from the restart allowed Leigh to reply almost immediately, but just too far out for their kicker to convert. 10-26

The last 10 minutes were tough but no more scores and that's how it finished.

Great win for the lads, a bit slow in the first half, but a good second half display from each and everyone.
Tough match but it won't get easier next weekend when we play Waterloo also in the cup!

If anyone's interested the penalty count was won by Leigh 22-3.

Squad, Billy, Isaac, Kian, Logan, Owen F, Sam C, Jos, Tim, Sam P, Ethan, Kieron Reg, Toby, Tom, Ben, Max, Owen C, Kieron F, Samson, Luc