Warrington last played Leigh in 2022/23 season running out winners on both occasions so with the teams unbeaten this season a close game was expected but it turned out to be anything but!!

On a dry sunny day Leigh kicked-off, Warrington were soon on the attack and took play up into the Leigh 20metre area, a good carry from second row Downes saw the ball out to James Hartill coming in on a great angle scythe though to score under the posts JP Hudson converted 7-0.

Straight from the kick-off Warrington were on the attack again, the backs moving the ball quickly along the line taking play well into Leigh half who conceded a penalty, from resulting lineout prop White forced his way over, Hudson converted. 14-0.

Next score was a penalty try, Warrington’s speed of attack was causing all sorts of problems for the Leigh defense, a break by Will Morgan took play again near the opposition line, the ball was recycled but a tackle off the ball saw Leigh’s indiscipline punished with a yellow card as well, 21-0.

A cross field kick by fly-half Beeley towards winger Turner, the bounce saw Evans hack on and Downes following up scored the try, Hudson converted. 28-0.

Leigh seemed shell shocked to find themselves down by so much after only 20minutes but to be fair they hadn’t seen much of the ball which was down to Warrington’s attacking flair in the first quarter.

On 27minutes Warrington’s hooker Bullock went over after good forward play, Hudson converted. 35-0.

The Leigh kicking game throughout the match was excellent and relieved the pressure in their half, on one such occasion a kick took play into the Warrington half who were then penalised at the maul, Leigh opted for a scum, their heavier forwards saw a chance to put pressure on, their scrum half moved the ball out, followed by a kick to the left corner saw the Leigh winger touchdown in the corner after a foot race, a wonderful conversion followed. 35-7.

Play became a bit scrappy, Leigh were frustrated and undisciplined play caused the referees displeasure towards the end of the first half, Warrington forced a 10metre scrum, quick ball to the right, winger Turner going over in the corner. 40-7.

With the aid of some good kicking which set Leigh on the attack, the Warrington defence held firm, the half ended when Warrington stole the ball at a lineout which had worked well throughout and kicked into touch.

HT 40-7

The second half saw Leigh come more into the game with some fine accurate kicking but it was Warrington who scored again, with the ball down in the Leigh 20 an attacking maul ensued with scum half Oli Hudson spotting a gap and cutting through to score under the posts JP Hudson converting. 47-7.

Leigh finally got on the score board again, with Warrington being on the wrong end of penalties and eventually pressure from the Leigh team saw a try in the right corner with the Warrington defense stretched, another excellent kick followed 47-14.

The Warrington play became disjointed, over complicating at the lineout saw Leigh gain possession forcing Warrington back with useful kicks. Play was fairly even through the half but again it was indiscipline by a couple of Leigh players which kept taking play down towards their line and eventually another penalty try was awarded by the referee for a no arms tackle with a Warrington attack just short of the line.54-14.

In the last quarter Warrington built more pressure with excellent carries from Downes Rowan, and Morgan who broke through the Leigh defense, taking two defenders with him to stretch over and touch the ball down, Hudson converted. 61-14.

The game petered out with Warrington forcing Leigh back who then kicked their way out of trouble.

FT 61-14

A dominate performance from Warrington with strong running with pace from the backs, the axis of half backs O.Hudson and Beeley providing the centre partnership of JP.Hudson and Hartill with quick ball to work with and ably supported by wings Rigby and Turner. The front row did sterling work in the scrum, the pack as a whole showing great attack and defensive qualities which were a feature of the game, Kellett and Evans(Captain) doing great work throughout but man of the match as decided by the coaching staff was No 8 Will Morgan who had a standout game in a match of many positives.

Report by Geoff Perks WRUFC