Leigh 39 St Benedicts 11

IN a first encounter between Leigh and St Benedicts on a pitch that said 'please play rugby on me' what should have been a rugby spectacle turned into a stop-start penalty-strewn disappointing affair.

After three minutes, Drake gave Leigh an early lead with a well struck penalty.

This was counteracted by the visitors with their first attempt at goal.

Good work by promising winger Olly Shepherd created room for a seven pointer scored by centre Dyson.

With Leigh seemingly in charge a penalty and an interception try put Saints in contention, to trail 13-11 at half time.

Leigh found themselves under the cosh for the first 20 minutes of the second half, good defensive work keeping the visitors at bay.

A break by the impressive Wilkinson took Leigh deep into the visitors' 22, resulting in a lineout.

From this, Drake showed his class with a superb side step and dummy to put Ross Shepherd over the line under the sticks. A simple conversion for Drake followed.

Two further converted tries – one a scrambled affair by skipper Wood and a fine try by Dyson put Leigh well clear.

At this stage St Benedicts visibly wilted and Leigh finished the job off with Wilkinson showing determination and speed to score the final try.