LEIGH travelled to Bolton on Saturday, following a week of heavy rain, to find the playing surface to be in excellent condition – ideal for running rugby.

It was a credit to Bolton’s Grounds Team.

The Squad was slightly changed with Colt, Dylan Kelly making his debut, on the right wing and Tom Worthington making his first appearance of the season, in the centre, alongside Jonny Drake.

Bolton started the game like a house on fire and launched several attacks on the Leigh 22 but Leigh’s defence stood firm and a spilled ball by Bolton was dribbled through from halfway, by Jimmy Wilkinson, for him to score an excellent try, in the fifth minute.

Rob Drake stepped up to add the extras. Both sides effectively cancelled each other out in the remainder of the first half but a Bolton penalty, in the thirtieth minute, reduced the deficit and the sides went off, at half time, with Leigh leading by seven points to three.

A very well struck penalty, from halfway, by Rob Drake, in the forty fifth minute, restored Leigh’s margin and the arm wrestle continued in the second half, with both sides working hard to break each other down.

A speculative run, by Bolton’s stand in left winger, following a sloppy Leigh clearance tick, turned out to be a game changer.

Firstly he ran sideways across the pitch, where he appeared to be tackled by a couple of Leigh players but continued on to bust his way through several more “would be” tacklers, before offloading to a supporting player, who scored under the Leigh sticks for a try that was easily converted, to set up a very tense final ten minutes with the scores now level.

In this final period, Bolton threw all that they had at Leigh and Leigh’s defence was truly remarkable but eventually Leigh were penalised, in the last minute of the match and Bolton stepped up to take the potentially match winning kick.

Thankfully, for Leigh, the ball flew well wide and they travelled back home with a share of the points to ponder on what might have been with a bit more composure and control.

Final score Bolton 10 Leigh 10.

On Saturday, Leigh entertain De La Salle at Hand Lane in what should be an interesting encounter. K.O. 2.15 p.m.