A determined Leigh team came to Broughton Park for this top of the table clash and went away happy as they secured the 2pts they needed to close the gap at the top. This pulsating game revolved around the inability of the 'Park forwards to change their game and instead of continually crashing into the resolute defence of Leigh, where their back row were supreme, they needed to spread the game wide.

However time after time and especially in the Leigh 22, 'Park persisted in trying to blast their way to the try line instead of using the undoubted skills of Mapp and Verbickas in the centre. 'Park became so predictable that even when Leigh were reduced to 13 players for the last 5 minutes of the game they were still unable to score the try which would have given them victory as once again they persisted in battering their way to the line.

Within 2 minutes of the kick off 'Park found themselves 5 - 0 down. A catalogue of errors led to a 5m scrum to Leigh which 'Park were unable to defend and Leigh's left winger scored the try. 'Park came storming back and for most of the 1st half were camped in the Leigh half. The try 'Park scored came from a break by scrum half Gould and for once the ball came back quickly and O'Brien, spotting that the Leigh defence was in disarray, quickly fed Hodkinson, coming off his wing, and Hodkinson sped past the cover defence and rounded the full back to score an excellent try.

'Park were unable to capitalise on their score and continued to give the Leigh defence plenty of time to organise their defence as 'Park were slow to move the ball quickly from the base of rucks and mauls. In fact Leigh showed the way on how to score by quickly recycling the ball and giving the 'Park defence no time to regroup. By scoring a try in the final minute of the first half Leigh led 12 -10.

Leigh extended their lead in the second half by capitalising on quick ball, once again, and their scrum half, who directed his forwards well, scored a deserved try. In the final 20 minutes of the game it was 'Park who pushed forward. With Mapp kicking 'Park to within 4 points of Leigh there was still hope for a home victory but 'Parks attempts to cross the try line floundered on a resolute and well organised Leigh defence which had no difficulty in stopping 'Parks one dimensional thrusts.

Next week 'Park travel to Anselmians on the Wirral and if 'Park are to retain their position at the top of the league they need to redouble their efforts and use the wit, guile and undoubted skills outside the front eight. If the forwards win quick ball and give the backs the ball going forward then 'Park have every chance of winning next week but if the forwards persist in bludgeoning their way to the line then 'Park are likely to struggle.

Dave Walsh 1st team manager.