Last updated at 09:12, Thursday, 17 June 2010

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NW COUNTIES

Roose Pioneers 17

Leigh East 18

INJURY-RAVAGED Roose produced a fine display in defeat as they lost out by a single point in a real nail-biter at Redwaters.

North West Counties Division One leaders Leigh East only just hung on for victory, having trailed 12-0 at one point.

Pioneers made all the early running, as forceful carries from the forwards, coupled with brutal defence, saw the visitors trapped in their own quarter for the majority of the opening stanza.

A great double-crunching tackle from Russ Birch and Danny White saw East lose the ball and a set play between half-backs Adam Batty and Owen Williamson found the hard-running Dan Sharp.

His strong, angled run left three potential tacklers sprawled on the floor, before he was awarded a penalty for a high tackle as Leigh tried to stop his momentum.

A quick tap saw the impressive Lee McLeod take the ball to the visitors’ line before offloading to Sharp. A quick shift of the ball found Steve Flannery and his neat pass reached second row partner White, who ran strongly to cross the line.

Ross Walker added the difficult conversion from out wide and Pioneers deservedly led 6-0.

After more good work, Roose soon found themselves 12 points to the good after a brilliant try. Determined running from in-form Glen Phillips, on the back of a good kick return from Neil Atkinson, saw Dan Vial and Lee Moss combine to pass to Batty. He made a telling break, before parting to the White, who shrugged off two defenders to storm over for his second try of the day.

Walker again slotted the difficult conversion over from wide out, and Pioneers were firmly in the driving seat.

The visitors, playing some really good, attacking rugby, were met with Roose’s resolute brick wall defence, well led by James Gordon, Birch, Sharp and McLeod.

The interval seemed to inspire Leigh and they had all the play and territory in the first 20 minutes of the second half.

Moss showed great bravery, diving at the feet of the chasing Leigh players to win a 50/50 ball, from a kick, before Batty, Sharp and Williamson were all called on to put their bodies on the line, as East looked for a way through.

They did manage the next points as a pass was intercepted by stand-off Woods and he scorched in from 50 yards, 12-6.

Pioneers worked their way back and earned a repeat set of six, which ended with Batty dropping a goal for 13-6.

The joy was short-lived, however, as East scored a well-worked try out wide, converted from the touchline to leave the gap at one.

Pioneers were hanging on and introduced fresh blood in Archer and Riley, but their tiring defence eventually cracked under the blistering pace and intensity of rugby Leigh were subjecting them to. A fumbled high kick in the corner allowed East to swoop and move the ball quickly, scoring an easy try for an 18-13 lead.

With the clock ticking down, young winger Vial, operating at centre after a reshuffle, stormed over for a try in the corner, after good work from Gordon and White.

Hooker Walker’s difficult kick sailed agonizingly inches wide to leave Roose trailing by a point at 18-17.

In the dying stages, despite losing Batty to the sin-bin for talking out of turn to referee Mark Laing, Pioneers battered the Leigh line, searching for the elusive score.

Sharp, White, McLeod and Williamson all went close before the home side were awarded one last roll of the dice to steal the game back.

With only seconds remaining, a penalty for an offence in the tackle gave Pioneers no option other than to attempt the difficult shot at goal.

Again, it unfortunately drifted wide of the sticks to leave Pioneers on the wrong end of the narrowest of defeats after a great all-round, gritty 80-minute team effort.

Sharp, having his best game all season, took the plaudits as Pioneers’ man-of-the-match, pushed all the way by Gordon and Phillips. Batty and unsung hero McLeod also showed up well for the home side.

First published at 13:12, Wednesday, 24 March 2010
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk