Honours even at Preston Grasshoppers.

Sunday 12th December 2021

Today, Leigh travelled to Preston for a tricky looking fixture against one of the biggest and best teams in Lancashire.

The previous game between these two was at Leigh, back in May, after the COVID re-start and the Lions ran out comfortable winners by eleven tries to one on that occasion. The last match before that was a tight one all draw at the Manchester festival back in the u12’s season.
The game had been in doubt in midweek due to the wet weather but Preston announced that game would be played on their 4G pitch so the eagerly awaited fixture went ahead and would be played over four, fifteen minute quarters.

Leigh only had 14 players today for various reasons and the players would have to put in a real shift with minimal rest periods.

Preston u14’s 15 – Leigh u14’s 15

Preston kicked off to get the game underway and Harry immediately set off on a good run into opposition territory. A strong scrum ensured Leigh retained possession and Noah was well tackled short of the line to prevent the opening try…good early pressure from the Lions! Preston tried to hit back with a fine counter attack, after a kicked clearance from Leigh, but a fine tackle from Liam ensured that the visitors didn’t concede a try. The Lions did eventually force the opening score that their early pressure had warrantied. A handling error from the home side allowed Leigh to scramble the ball over from close range. After some initial confusion about who had actually scored the try, the matter was definitively cleared up by our effervescent right winger Zack who, when asked who had scored, replied ‘Us’ (the word nincompoop springs to mind!). Noah nearly doubled the lead shortly after but was well tackled in the right corner and the first quarter ended with the Leigh one try to the good.

Joe kicked off to start the second quarter and Preston ran the ball back well before an untimely knock-on prevented them going any further. The hosts did equalise shortly after though down the left centre channel. The Lions tried to hit back but Callum T was well tackled in the left corner. It was a rough, tough encounter and Harry succumbed to a suspected dislocated shoulder and had to withdraw from proceedings, hopefully he’ll recover soon. The game was developing into a fascinating even contest. Sam broke the Preston line only to be well tackled by the home side’s full-back and then the hosts broke through the Lion’s backline only to be halted by an equally strong tackle. With the second quarter drawing to a close, a moment of quality put Preston in front. A fine cross-field kick was well caught and finished off to put the Grasshoppers two tries to one up at the half-way stage.

Preston kicked-off the third quarter and soon after there was a major flashpoint that sparked an already spikey contest into life. A suspected stamp from a Preston player enraged the Lions players and a mass brawl nearly broke out but the referee managed to nip it in the bud. That incident seemed to motivate Leigh and they began to assert some authority which resulted in Noah scoring a fine try down the right-hand side. Having drawn themselves level, the Lions were then hit with a classic sucker-punch when, against the run of play, the hosts went down field to score in the left corner which re-instated their one try advantage going into the final quarter.

Leigh needed to start the final period well…and that they did! Louie nearly went over in the right corner but he was well tackled to prevent the equaliser. The Lions continued to pile on the pressure and it eventually told when Callum B went over to finish off a great period of possession which saw Leigh recycle the ball through multiple phases with some strong forward play. Both teams then enjoyed some good periods but there weren’t really any clear-cut scoring opportunities and an enthralling match eventually finished all square at three tries apiece.

Jayden M was awarded Opposition coach’s MOM and Noah was the parent’s choice.

Next up is an away trip to Sedgley Park in the final pool match of this seasons Lancashire Cup.

3,2,1… LIONS!!