With a squad of only 15 making the trip, the team knew that the match would be won through hard work and commitment, which every player rose to accordingly.

The start of the match was a cagey affair, with both sides conceding penalties and turning the ball over early on, however Leigh were playing with a clear intent to use the pace of their backs around the outside. Winger Jack Parker and Fullback Charlie Parker were quickly involved and looked dangerous down the left flank, but to no avail in the opening exchanges.

Gravesend also had a clear plan of attack for the day, with hard charging forwards and backs alike pummelling Leigh’s defensive line, but the wall of blue and white shirts did not break, winning a crucial penalty at the breakdown on the host’s first visit to the attacking 22.

The success of the set piece throughout the game was clearly going to be crucial in this match from early on. Leigh enjoyed dominance in the scrum throughout the match, with the front row of Jacques Wilkinson, Adam Bright and Adam Johnson continually getting the better of their opposite numbers, coupled with the power supplied by second rows Alan Erskine and Callum Erskine, resulted in multiple turnovers at crucial moments in the match. The line-out was also clinical in attack and defence, with Flanker Alastair MacKenzie claiming multiple turnovers and providing a solid platform to launch attacks, as well as Jacques Wilkinson and Alan Erskine getting in on the fun.

The scoreboard remained level deep into the first half, when Leigh won a penalty at the breakdown following a devastating carry from Centre Jake Sheldon, with Fly Half Jake Bright slotting the ball through the uprights to draw first blood and put Leigh up 0-3.

Following a lung-busting goal line defence, Leigh were quick to occupy Gravesend’s 22 once again, battling hard with big carries from every member of the squad. Finally, after a hat-trick of penalties on the host’s 5m line and a yellow card issued by the referee, Alastair MacKenzie was able to power through the defence and score the first try of the afternoon on the stroke of half time. Jake Bright converted a difficult kick from the left wing into another 2 points for the visitors, and Leigh went into the break with the scoreboard reading 0-10 in their favour.

The second half started exactly as the first did, with both teams hotly contesting the middle of the pitch and battling hard for the upper hand. Leigh were first to string together multiple phases and were camped in Gravesend’s 22 for a long period, but their defence held strong and repelled the attacks of pace and power from the forwards and backs.

Leigh would then be reduced to 14 for a period as well, with Flanker Alistair Cross being sent to the sin bin for an infringement at the ruck. After preventing Gravesend from capitalising on the advantage for 10 minutes, Leigh spotted a gap in behind, and a well placed kick was regathered, leading to William McDowell offloading in contact to Alistair Cross, with Cross then dotting the ball down underneath the home sides’ posts. Jake Bright was again clinical from the tee, and the score was brought to 0-17.

The hosts threw everything they had at Leigh’s defence in the final few minutes, but could not find a breakthrough, with the final whistle of a physical match blew with Leigh victorious and with a clean sheet to their names as they headed home.

Once again every single player stepped up to the mark this weekend for the club and put their body on the line for the victory, we go into the Christmas break in 4th position in the league with some crucial home games ahead in 2026, namely next time out on the 10th January when we host league leaders Medway IV. We need your support more than ever, so get down to the Field of Dreams in the new year and bring the noise to make the place a fortress!

We wish everyone a very merry Christmas and a happy new year, and we look forward to what 2026 has in store for Leigh RFC!