Leigh 3rds (Tofts) welcomed Lostock 1st to Alf Bent’s in an eagerly anticipated return to rugby post Covid and although early exchanges favoured the home side with steady approach work from the pack it was Lostock that crossed for the first try through a solo effort by their No15, which was duly converted.
After a flurry of penalties both sides added 3 points to the board making the score 3 -10. However, from the restart swift play down Leigh’s right-hand edge results in an unconverted try for the visitors.
As the half wore on Lostock took control and only through excellent tackling by Swandtz and Whittle were they kept at bay but in the next exchange the home sides indiscipline gifts an easy 3 points, undoing the solid defensive effort, making the score 3 – 18.
Leigh’s defence held solid through the middle in the following passage of play only for the visitors to break out wide, a superb cover tackle from Mercer put stop to a certain try for Lostock only for the Tofts to be penalised for holding on in the tackle, with the resulting penalty being converted.
Immediately from the restart an altercation between scrum halves resulted in a come to of both teams, with the away team’s bench also diving into the battle. The ref decided a red card for each side would resolve the matter and Leigh now faced the remainder of the game without stalwart and captain Norcross. The official did, however decided to award Leigh the resulting penalty and O’Malley gratefully converted.
Half time 6 – 21
An electric start from the Tofts pack saw Leigh close the score to within 8 points, with Vernel grabbing the first try of the campaign and O’Malley Jr adding the extras.
Unfortunately, after giving up possession from the subsequent restart Lostock added a further try quelling any ideas of a Leigh comeback, in fact another 2 scores put the game out of reach for the home side.
A small period of Leigh dominance saw the ball spread from left to right only for Sam ‘butterfingers’ Beresford to knock-on with the line at his mercy and within seconds the visitors raced away to score again, making the score 13 – 49.
In true Tofts fashion the old ‘never say die’ attitude came to the fore, the backs decided to go on the attack but found it hard to unlock the defence of our 1st team guests so decided to turn the ball back on the inside for Pover to stride over for a converted try.
With pride restored it was sad to end the game with another score for the opposition on the final whistle.
Final score 20 – 56

MOM as selected from the side line is awarded to Harry D who not only put his body on the line but also his job!
With numerous key players unavailable for this game, a special mention must go out to the handful of debutants and returnees that under difficult circumstances never took a backwards step and, in the process, gained some much-needed exposure to open age rugby which will stand them all in good stead for the season ahead.

Report by Gareth Lloyd.