Leigh east wolves v Pilkington Recs
14/04/2019
HT 12-6 FT 18-6
By Ste Crehan

It’s was a windy morning as the Recs travelled to Leigh east Wolves, Dylan Greenall got the game underway with a kick that held in the wind. Pilks defended the opening set well for 5 drives and a deep kick from Leigh on the last tackle.

Dylan Greenall then brought the ball in attack, a couple of drives to set the platform then the ball was beginning to find its way through the hands before Dylan Greenall took advantage of the overlap to shoot down the wing for the opening score. Dylan then added the extras to lead 6-0.

Pilks turned to defence and some excellent tackles from Kristian and Ethan pinned the attacking wolves back and a strong hit up from Aidan held the defensive line, the Wolves tried a dangerous bouncing kick through, but Dylan brought it away safely.

Again, Ellis and Logan we’re setting a solid platform to attack from but a ball fumble in Logan’s drive found Leigh hands and number 13 threw a cheeky dummy and went over to even the scores at 6-6 with the conversion.

Logan was keen to make up for the fumble as he stormed back through the Wolves defensive line and scattering defenders, Dylan Finney followed this up by making some good yards. A few more drives and last tackle was called, Lewis tried a cross field attacking kick but the wind carried wide and over the touch line.

Some good defensive efforts were on show from Logan and Lewis and a couple of quick one on one tackles from Aidan kept Leighton east pinned with Aidan then catching the kick over. Unfortunately, Pilks didn’t keep possession for long as a no-look pass from Lewis found the side-line.

Recs had to focus and again the defence stood strong from the scrum with a strong one on one tackle from Zak and some good hit ups from Dylan Finney, Aidan and Lewis. A couple of steady defensive and attacking sets were exchanged before a Leigh kick hit Lewis’ head and went out of play for a scrum.

There was clearly nothing between the two teams at this point and nothing was showing any sign of a break, another set came to an end and another cross-field kick from Lewis caught the gusting wind and again found touch. Pilks were the first to blink and a momentary lack of concentration aloud Leigh East’s number 14 to walk in for their second of the day before converting to lead 12-6

Recs were keen to get a grip back of the game, more solid drives from Logan, some fancy feet from Kristian and some good steps from Dylan Greenall was cutting through the Wolves defence. Play seemed to then hit a bit of a scruffy patch with some blocking at the play the ball and the half came to an end.

Pilks came out firing at the start of the second half, with powerful and skilful probing drives from Aidan, Rhys and Harry. Dylan Greenall again showing some fancy footwork, then an inside drop off from Lewis to Aidan and a quick dart up the middle of the field from Rhys and a grubber kick through from Lewis on the last.

Rhys, Aidan and Dylan Finney were quick behind the kick and pulled of a great tackle as they forced the ball carrier into touch. Aidan again made some good yards in attack, Kristian threw a double pump dummy then spread the ball which a Leigh east player flew at for an interception but couldn’t take it in and gave Pilks another set with ball in hand.

Dan was probing and picking out gaps in the Wolves defence but hurt his knee in the process and had to leave the field, Pilks were struggling to make any good ground and a kick on the last from Kristian couldn’t provide anything in attack.

Recs continued their impressive defensive presence and some quick reactions from Ethan saw him dive on a loose ball to regain possession. Pilks lost Aidan through injury for a spell and unfortunately their attacking wasn’t improving as their persistence down the middle was well handled by the Wolves and a chip through from Lewis on the last ran dead. Pilks heads dropped a little and it showed as Leigh east number 14 broke down the wing to run in a full length try, chased down all the way by Rhys from the other side of the field and barely missing out on getting to him. Leigh converted and extended the lead to 18-6

Pilks were desperate to add to the score sheet and the foundation of their attack continued to be solid, but the end play wasn’t coming off as Lewis put in his best kick of the day, but the wind again pulled the ball dead in the air.

Even though Recs were struggling to find their way over the white line, their defence continued to hold tight, some strong group tackles from Dylan Finney, Kristian and Aidan, two back to back one on one tackles from Rhys and a big hit up from Lewis gained a turnover.

Time was running out for the recs, Zak took the ball up field and Aidan broke the line before getting the ball out, Dylan Greenall did well to stick his heels in and stay on the field. Rhys attacked the try line and Lewis tried another grubber on the last, Leigh picked up the ball but again Rhys and Ethan were quick to force him into touch.

Pilks has one last chance as they produced their best attacking play of the day as the ball was spread from wing to wing, but it wasn’t to be, Leigh gathered the ball from the kick and the game was finished 18-6 to the Leigh East Wolves.

Tries: Dylan Greenall
Conversions: Dylan Greenall