Leigh Miners Rangers W - Pilkington Recs ARLFC L

On a day where the scoreline in no way reflected the performance or effort by the Pilks squad the team can rightly walk away with their heads held high and with Chris and Graham, plus the parents, all extremely proud of them!

Pilks started the game playing downhill (and its no exaggeration when we say the pitch was sloped!!) against one half of the Leigh squad.

Once again our team started strongly in defense with Daniel Tabern, Charlie Swift and Joshua Thiselton putting in tackle after tackle and keeping Leigh at bay.

Our big lads were making plenty meters, Cameron Cranny, Charlie Swift and Luc Holloway all powered forward but were held back by Leighs strong defense.

Some great side steps by Max Tracey and Rebecca Bentham, with darting moves by Joshua Burton and Daniel Tabern still saw us unable to break through.

Joshua Thiselton, Ethan Moore and Jack Bailey made for gaps only to be closed down on more than one occasion. Aaron Cranny again showed no fear taking on the big Leigh side.

If intercepts were allowed at U8 level then Patrick Buckley would have scored the try of the season but, in fairness to both teams, the referee brought the play back. Never the less we have to say Patricks finish was awesome!!

Despite a solid and well worked team effort Pilks were unfortunate to be 3-0 down at half time with a tougher second half to follow.

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Leighs well thought out tactics meant the second half saw a tired but still very much up for it Pilks side playing uphill against the second half of Leighs squad, and we knew facing so many big lads on fresh legs running downhill at our smaller side would prove tough... and it did!

However Pilks never gave in. Charlie Swift and Daniel Tabern made some great solo tackles. Joshua Thiselton, Jack Bailey, Joshua Burton and Patrick Buckley called for the ball and wanted runs set after set.

Luc Holloway and Cameron Cranny powered uphill with Leigh players holding on. Aaron Cranny still ran hard and Max Tracey, Rebecca Bentham and Ethan Moore threw some great passes which in previous matches would have won the game for Pilks.

Tiredness set in towards the end but even then we still tried to get that elusive try, but on this occasion it just wasn't meant to be.

Saying all this I am immensely proud of each and every one of our players out there today. It wasn't our day today, but play like this our time will come!

Well done lads (and Rebecca!)

MAN ON THE MATCH: JOSHUA THISELTON
TOP TACKLER: JOSHUA BURTON
MOST IMPROVED: JACK BAILEY
THE STEVE MATAI TROPHY: CHARLIE SWIFT