Kersal as they arrived at Hare Lane were greeted by a jolly but enormous Leigh senior colts. The afternoon was sunny and it brightened further when Leigh told us we were to play on the 1st team pitch which because of its size would give kersal the edge.
This was exploited from the off within a few minutes 2 rucks won well by Kersal saw Timmy James put through to score the converted try (Eddie Farmer).
Kersal backs professionally exploiting the weaker wing and full back situation had Timmy completing his hat trick within 15 minutes , two of which were converted by Eddie. 19-0.
Leigh plugged that gap only to allow James Conville to work the other wing popping a pass out of his back hand drawing two men to Matt Moss who drove in hard to score a try deep in the corner shrugging 2 tackles.
Leigh were desperate to slow the game but the fast clean rucking of the forwards starved them of the ball and the fast play of the half backs gave the Kersal's backs the options to draw and pass and cut the Leigh back line.
Forwards not wanting to miss some glory drove a maul 25m and Fraser Dodds dropping on a try leaving Leigh to re-tactic.
A couple of mins later after a number of discipline issues Leigh's prop took a swing at Sam Caniffe ( glad he did not connect as it could have hurt his hand )and the ref sin binned both players.
The backs had not finished the first half and James Barnes and Rob Conville both working in the centres were rewarded tries as they used skill and agility to dominate the back lines not once trying a crash ball
Half time 39-0
Big changes in the second half and all players contributed big games, Leigh worked hard to disrupt Kersal but to no avail.
Three more tries from the backs Rob Conville, James Barnes and a brilliant fast footed try by Danny Birchall and James Conville not wanting not to get on the score sheet knocked over a few of his own players to bag a conversion .
Kersal rucked and tackled as they have not done for a while but more importantly played again a 15 man game where all knew what was needed and delivered. Credit to Leigh they played a feisty game till the end but were out skilled by a smaller side.
Man of the Match was THE SQUAD
but a mention has to go for a great tackle.
5 mins to go and Leigh were pressing Kersal's try line in an attempt to score, a pen 5 metres out and up popped there 16 stone fit looking centre who been frustrated by our backs all game seeing a chance for a charge to the line when Hugh Draycott tackled him at knee height and prevented a certain score.
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