Rugby League

With six players unavailable from last week’s team, Scorpions were forced to reshuffle their line up.  Darren Knight, Karl Davies, Gareth Skelton, Luke Valente and Maurice McCarthy all played their first games of the season, whilst the club also handed a debut to scrum half Ryan Knight.

In hot and humid conditions the home side began the stronger and laid siege to the Scorpions line. Only strong scrambling defence, typified by try saving tackles from Philip Clark, Darren Knight and Marr Millward amongst others, keeping the hosts at bay time and time again. After a tense and scoreless opening quarter the game kicked into life as fullback Antony Clark picked off a loose pass and his break laid the platform for the ball to be spun outwide for Ryan Knight to power his way over for a 4 – 0 lead.

Blackpool were soon over the line again as a powerful drive from Lee Mahdi carried Scorpions close to the halfway line and centre Lewis Wenham did the rest as he danced through a number of attempted tackles on a 60m run to the try line, Valente adding the conversion for a 10 – 0 advantage.

Despite this setback, Blackpool fashioned an almost immediate reply as good runs from Philip Clark, Bob Goodall and Jon Cherry laid the ground work for Wenham to embark on another 60m plus jinking run to cross under the posts for a 14 – 4 half time lead.

Blackpool's momentum continued as the second stanza began as good work from Adam Bebbington and Dave Evans carried Scorpions within touching distance of the Leigh try line and allowed Jon Cherry to put in a pin point kick which Gareth Skelton snapped up to touchdown. Valente added the conversion to establish a 20 – 4 lead for visitors. 

Leigh to their credit attempted to respond with a try of their own, with resolute defending and try saving tackles from Antony Clark and Valente preventing what looked to be certain tries.  Despite Scorpions effort in defence, the home side’s pressure eventually told as the right centre crashed over to make it a 12 point ball game.

The momentum of the match had clearly swung in the favour of the home side and they repeatedly attacked the Scorpions line, with the visitors cause not helped by the loss of Darren Knight and Millward to injury.  In spite of the hosts vigorous attacks, Blackpool were able to stand firm and hit the home side with a break away score as a kick though was picked up by Wenham who set off on a superb 90m dash downfield to bring up his hat trick with a fantastic individual score.

Replacement McCarthy slotted over the goal to put Blackpool 26 – 8 up. With Scorpions now back in control they soon added another try as quick handling sent centre Philip Gamble racing half the length of the pitch to cross under the sticks with Valente adding the goal for a 32 – 8 lead.

Despite the game being firmly in the bag, Blackpool continued to apply pressure in both defence and attack. They were rewarded with another score when following good drives by props Karl Davies and Bob Goodall, stand off Anthony Green burrowed his way over from close range with Valente adding his fifth goal, before Leigh bagged a consolation try in the dying seconds for a final score of 38 – 12.

In a superb team display a number of the Scorpions players could have been awarded man of match, but in the end the honours went fittingly to hat trick hero Lewis Wenham, who was superb in defence and attack all day long.

Team:

Antony Clark, Lee Mahdi, Lewis Wenham, Philip Gamble, Philip Clark, Anthony Green, Ryan Knight, Bob Goodall, Adam Bebbington, Matt Millward, Dave Evans, Jon Cherry, Darren Knight

Subs:

Karl Davies, Gareth Skelton, Luke Valente, Maurice McCarthy

Tries:

Lewis Wenham (3), Philip Gamble, Anthony Green, Ryan Knight, Gareth Skelton

Goals:

Valente  4/6 , McCarthy 1/1

• Scorpions will be hoping to keep up their fine start to the season when they travel to take on Waterhead next Saturday.