Leigh 22 Warrington 26

WARRINGTON maintained their position on top of North One West with a hard-earned win over Leigh.

This was a game they could have lost, because they were trailing 17-6 at the interval and had their backs to the wall for the final 10 minutes when they were reduced to 14 men as a result of a spate of injuries.

“Our defence in the last ten minutes was awesome,” said coach Andy Roberts.

“Fortunately, our better fitness proved decisive and we had already done enough against a side which is very much better than its current league position would indicate.

“We are still league leaders and are now looking forward to a tough game at home against Vale of Lune.”

Leigh, showing an exciting mix of electric speed and forward power, crossed for the opening two tries while Darren Norman replied to each with a penalty.

A third Leigh try after the ball had flashed across the backs from a line-out left Warrington with work to do and they did step up a gear in the second half, Norman adding two more penalties - the second after Tom Wood's try was rule out.

Roberts' men took the lead when a break from a line-out by Wood led to the stand-off exchanging passes with scrum half Ben Hockenhull before touching down. Norman added the extras.

Warrington edged into their decisive nine-point lead when industrious Matt Connelly made a 20-yard break and shipped on to Nathan Beasley for the speedster to steam over between the posts.

Although Leigh’s numerical superiority late on proved too much and they forced their way over for a try it came too late and Warrington ran out worthy winners.