Misty and damp conditions were in order for the sides today, but ultimately both teams found it possible to stretch their legs and play expansive rugby when it allowed.

The opening kick off was sent downfield, and with it came sustained pressure from the Leigh squad, driving Canterbury back to their own 5 metre line, where the powerful Leigh pack exerted pressure on the opposition, with Peter Ashby claiming the loose ball out of the back of the scrum to score the first points of the afternoon. Hector Ashby unfortunately could not add the extras, just pulling the conversion kick over the left post.

As both sides settled into the match, there was back and forth action, with the Leigh squad winning strong exits from their own territory, but Canterbury worked the ball up to close range and darted through the gap to score their first try of the match.

After the opening flurry of action, the conditions started to take effect on proceedings, with both teams ceding possession multiple times, but Canterbury ultimately ending up with clean ball in the Leigh 22 and a scything pass to run in their second.

Leigh won the ball back from the restart, attempting to play the ball wide through the backline, but Canterbury read the play well in midfield and ran back an intercept for their third of the afternoon.

After winning a penalty in close range, the Leigh forwards undertook the hard work asked of them, and Adam Johnson powered over to score Leigh’s second, cutting the deficit to a single try.

The work was not over for the Leigh pack however, winning a scrum against the head, and Hector Ashby unleashed a powerful to give the attack momentum, with David Lock finished off the move with a short range carry on the stroke of half time. The score stood at the break 21-17 in favour of the hosts.

First blood in the second half went to Canterbury, playing off of a wide scrum and finishing just the other side of the posts after some slick passing through the backs.

Not to be outdone early in the second half, Leigh used their solid scrum as a platform on halfway, and after multiple hard carries drove Leigh to the line, Callum Erskine sniped to open Leigh’s account for the second half.

The Leigh pack continued to dominate the scrum, winning another against the head, with a clearance kick giving the team territory and some excellent pressure turned defence into attack thanks to Alfie Manley, and more tight and hard carries from backs and forwards alike led to David Lock powering over for his second try of the afternoon.

Following some determined attacking phases from Canterbury, a high tackle presented them with a penalty 5 metres out, after 3 phases their strong carries proved too much for the Leigh defensive line, and the hosts scored another try.

Leigh rallied again and went straight back up the other end, winning a lineout in the Canterbury 22 and Jake Sheldon proved too powerful for the Canterbury centres, adding another try to the scoreboard.

Canterbury were the next to come down the field again, spreading the Leigh defence across the pitch, and deploying a sidestep to dot the ball down near the posts.

Leigh attempted to muster for a game winning try from some more strong carries and a late lineout, but ultimately conceded a turnover to bring an end to a free scoring affair, Canterbury the victors, 40-36.

The entire squad played their hearts out, but Man of the Match went to debutant Alfie Manley, who put in an impressive effort both in attack and defence, particularly carrying the ball hard and setting up the squad to attack with speed and momentum.