LEIGH travelled to Eccles to take on their near neighbours in what had to be a ‘must win’ game and thankfully came away with a well earned 27-21victory.

Leigh were first on the scoreboard when Eccles lost possession, in the first minute, for Leigh to hack the ball through, with Ross Shepherd athletically collecting the ball before brilliantly popping it up to the supporting Kieran Duffy, for him to dive over the Eccles line for a score, which was duly converted by Elliott Ryan.

Further concerted Leigh pressure produced for them, a penalty, which was converted by Elliott Ryan, to stretch their lead to ten points.

Eccles, however, responded with a pushover try on 20 minutes, which was well converted by their fly half and then they added another converted try, on 25 minutes, when good approach work was finished off down their left hand flank to take them into a 14 points to 10 lead.

Leigh bounced back and narrowed the gap to one point, on 34 minutes, when Elliott Ryan added another penalty.

This was quickly followed by a good break from debutant, Marcus Mercer, which ended with Alex Leadbetter latching onto a good chip through to score wide out on the right for a try, which was brilliantly converted, from near the touchline, by the ever trusty boot of Elliott Ryan, to take the sides off at half time with Leigh leading by 20 points to 14.

Leigh set off like a house on fire in the second half and their early pressure set up Rob Drake with front foot ball and his perfectly timed pass put busy and chirpy prop forward, Matt Newton, through a hole for him to gallop through unopposed, from ten metres out, for a crucial score that was converted again by Elliott Ryan.

Eccles, recovered quickly and replied with another well executed and converted try of their own, on 48 minutes, to narrow Leigh’s lead to six points with half an hour to go.

The remainder of the half was mainly about Eccles attacking and Leigh defending.

The Leigh defence, however, was a truly magnificent team effort and they repelled wave after wave of Eccles attacks with Matt Newton, Ollie Farley and Ross Shepherd all making some very notable tackles and turnovers.

The squad can now enjoy a well-earned Christmas break, before resuming action in North One West, on 7 January, when they entertain 10th placed Altrincham Kersal at Round Ash Park.