Slippery balls at Leigh

We came into this game with a few absences however it shows the strength and depth we’ve now built with the players coming in.

As we stared down the opposition ready to kick off on their lovely brand new pitch you could tell the lads were up for it, ready to to put the defat last week behind us. The first half certainly proved that right!

Kick off was taken well by Jesse and the forwards then took us up field through well organised pods. Before you knew it the pods and good communication between 9 and 10 saw us in their half. Pressure was building however on a day like this there were always going to be dropped balls and that’s exactly what stoped our early momentum. Leigh get the ball clear and we get line out in our half.

We go through some phases with the ball eventually coming to Cal who breaks well, makes 20 meters with support from Sam and Geoff but great cover tackling by Leigh and they turnover the ball where we concede the scrum. We dominate the scrum and it was our turn to turn the ball over with Jesse and Hightower combining well to score but the ref deemed it as forward pass. Unlucky not to score the first try but there was more chances to come.

We managed to put more pressure on the Leigh scrum with them putting the ball out 5 meters from their line. Dom threw brilliantly in the poor conditions and the forwards drive 5 meters to score. Sean Liv popping up with the ball, but that was a try from all the forwards. Conversion misses. 0-5.

Leigh put pressure on us from kick off which was relived by a good box kick to their full back who fumbles after a fantastic chase from Geoff. From there we pile the pressure on and eventually given a scrum 5 meters out. Our scrums were monstrous all day and there was no surprise when we walked over from 5 meters out with the captain Jesse touching down. Again, a try from the forwards who were dominating the game. Conversion missed, 0-10.

This time it was the turn for the backs to show what they can do. After some good positioning through hard running by the likes of Dom, Joe, Matt, Issac, Swales, and Jesse through our pods the ball comes out to Marcus at 10 who makes a break past a couple of pleasers, we secure the ball and Chris H gets it and dances through to score. Jake converts to make it 0-17.

We play through the phases from the restart and Sam clears with a good kick to the winger who touches it before going out for our line out. Before we could turnaround it was taken quickly and all we could see was Issac sprinting, staring down the posts but a good recovery tackle by Leigh stopped him in his tracks. Ref blows for a scrum, Chorley ball, 10 meters out. Again, solid scrum meant clean ball and simple hands form the backs saw Geoff powering over two players to score in the corner. Conversion misses - 0-22.

The rain had stopped a little now but was very wet out there with balls being dropped and players slipping. After more pressure Leigh managed to kick it out to touch on half way. Dom again on target finds his man and after clean ball Marcus makes a great break, offloads to Chris H, Chris H offloads to Cal and he goes under the sticks. Brilliant support play all round, with 3 players waiting to be on the end of that one. Jake converts. 0-29.

After the restart we gain possession and camp in their 22 for what seemed an age. Good work from the forwards once again taking us from one side of the pitch to the other which gave us space to go through the hands for James Fisher to score in the corner. Brilliant team try, one that our coach GC would have dreams about. Jake converts from a tight angel to make it 0-36 at the half.

At half time the stand in head coach Stu didn’t need to say much as the game plan that he and GC have been working on all season was clearly working and the lads were really enjoying themselves. The key message here was to keep disciplined!

After discussing with Leigh’s coach they needed to change their front row which resulted in non contested scrums for the second half.

The rain came down even more as we got things going again. This half seemed much slower and we dropped a gear. Leigh kept on playing on the edge with some questionable tackles coming in late and high. This game could have gone nasty quickly but fair to the lads on sticking to the plan and playing rugby. Some good defensive work turned to some good field position but in doing so we lost the powerful Cal to a dislocated finger. From a couple of good phases Matt Lago managed to bulldoze through Leigh’s defence and slide under the posts. Jake converts. 0-43.

Fish, now on in the pack quickly scores from good work using the pods again taking us up to the line with Fish picking up and diving over. Jake converts. 0-50

Leigh put some pressure on us in our 22 but our defence was aggressive and relentless all day, a wall to get through. Once we turned the ball over there were late and high tackles being made again, with the ref only seeing one of a few. The game was breaking up with Leigh missing a lot of tackles. We were making breaks with nearly every play. We get clean ball from the forwards to the backs who take it in with Jesse now playing in centre. We get quick ball again after some good clearing out. Chris Hightower ducks under a tackle, fends a couple of defenders and runs in from 25 meters. Jake converts. 0-57.

After the restart we quickly gain ground to Leigh’s 22 and some poor discipline led to an injury to one of Leigh’s forwards who’s unable to continue. With 20 minutes to go the home side have a word with the ref and it was decided that the game would be done there. Final score Leigh 0 - 57 Chorley.

Overall a professional performance by Chorley, sticking to the game plan but most importantly turning the possession and territory into points. Some good performances all round. A mention to our front row who where solid in the scrum Joe, Dom, Swales and Connor P, all the forwards powerful running and working the pods, linking well with the backs. Sam and Marcus orchestrating things in the middle. Rob and Cal a constant threat and Geoff, Fish, Dion and Jake always an option supporting on the shoulder constantly. Any one of the players could have had the man of the match but standing out this week and taking the crown is Matt Lago. His relentless, aggressive defence and ball carrying was clear to see all game. A massive thorne in Leigh’s side and a try to top off a top performance in a wet and slippy Leigh.

Next week we’re back home vs Aldwainians- see you there!

Gwil