Reserves, Leigh Miners Rangers Academy, Sutton Park, Manchester Road
Saturday 27 July 2024 (noon)
Leigh Leopards 26-16 St Helens
Leopards pulled off the most impressive win of their debut season in the Reserves Competition, with a sparkling five-try display against the league leaders.
Tom Nisbet led the way with two tries, the first a spectacular length-of-the-field effort, as Stu Littler’s team earned their fifth win in 10 league games.
Nisbet, one of five first team squad members in the side, was in sparkling form, seizing on an interception and burning off the trailing cover for a memorable solo try as Leopards began strongly.
Winger Ralph Wood had already got his name on the scoresheet, crashing over in the corner as Leopards started what was a high-quality game full of purpose.
Saints pulled back six points just before the interval when Ellis Anderson, son of former Leigh player and assistant coach Paul, scored by the flag, George Whitby converting.
Nisbet then cut through on an angled run to score his second try in the corner just three minutes after the re-start.
But when Alfie Sinclair was first to a kick through for a converted try the game was in the balance at 14-12.
Leopards’ halfbacks Ben Tyrer and Matty Horrocks, so impressive throughout, then took control of the game.
Horrocks came up with a fine individual try just when his side needed a piece of invention to turn an engrossing, fast paced and skilful contest their way.
Horrocks then supplied the crucial assist as Kavan Rothwell crashed over for the clinching try.
Saints never gave up and pulled back to eight points when William Keeley scored in the corner with five minutes remaining. But Whitby’s conversion attempt was off target.
Horrocks wrapped up a weekend Leopards double over Saints with a last minute penalty to close what was a superb advertisement for the Reserves competition, watched by an appreciative crowd.
Leopards
24 Keanan Brand; 20 Ralph Wood, 25 Tom Nisbet, 4 Tj Boyd, 2 Alfie Whittle; 6 Ben Tyrer, 7 Matty Horrocks; 23 Nathan Wilde, 9 Tommy Porter, 14 Dan Norman, 11 Bailey Pemberton, 32 Kavan Rothwell, 13 Valu Tane Bentley
Bench:
8 Ryan Lockett, 29 Callum Disley, 27 Toby Brannan, 28 Sam Bardsley. 18th player: 10 Luke Sutcliffe (not used)
Tries:
Wood (6), Nisbet (12, 43), Horrocks (58), Rothwell (65)
Goals: Horrocks 3/ 6
Saints
1 Louie Roberts; 5 Ben Will, 4 Reilly Cosgrove, 2 Owen Dagnall, 3 Ellis Anderson; 23 Ben Lane, 7 George Whitby; 8 Alfie Sinclair, 9 Ciaran Nolan, 11 Samuel Oakes, 10 Mckenzie Buckley, 12 Jamaine Carty, 15 Cole Marsh
Bench:
19 William Keeley, 20 Niall Dean, 21 Daniel Frost, 22 Jake Davies. 18th player: 10 Oliver Garmston (not used)
Tries:
Anderson (38), Sinclair (52), Keeley (75)
Goals: Whitby 2/ 3
Scoring sequence: 4-0, 10-0, 10-6 (ht) 14-6, 14-12, 18-12, 24-12, 24-16, 26-16
Referee: Alan Billington; Touch-judges: I Carson & G Shaw
Penalty count: 4-6; GLDO: 0-1
