Leigh travelled to table-topping Kendal with high hopes, following their recent run of three victories on the bounce, but despite another courageous performance they were well beaten, in the end, by the well drilled, Cumbrian side.

Leigh dominated the early exchanges but both sides took advantage of the dry pitch to throw the ball around.

It was Kendal, however, who were the first to break the deadlock when good approach work by their forwards set up the platform for them to score wide out on the left with a try, which was very well converted.

Leigh continued to dominate proceedings after this and were well rewarded for their efforts when Chris Boyle broke away from a maul to canter over the Kendal line, completely unopposed, from 20 metres out, to score an excellent try which silenced the Kendal crowd. Rob Drake went close with his conversion attempt.

The remainder of the half was all about Leigh and they were very unlucky not to add to their tally before the break, following several scorching attacks through their pacy backs.

The Kendal coaching staff must have had a lot to say to their charges at half time because Kendal were quick to add to their total soon afterwards, through a converted try on the right flank, which was quickly followed by another, unconverted try, down the left wing.

Leigh, however, were never going to lie down and they countered the Kendal onslaught through a second try, by Chris Boyle, who forced his way over at the side of the Kendal posts for a well deserved score which was converted by Marcus Morris-Williams to make it 19-12.

A brilliant interception by Jimmy Wilkinson, soon afterwards, was cruelly halted by the referee, apparently for an earlier infringement but had he been allowed to proceed, it would certainly have resulted in a converted try for Leigh and brought the scores level at 19 – 19 and the outcome of the game could well have been very different.

Kendal, however, bounced back from this Leigh resurgence to score four more well worked tries, three of which were converted.

Credit to Leigh, they never gave up and with a minute to play, Chris Boyle muscled his way over the Kendal line to complete his, well deserved, hat trick.

Final score: Kendal 45 Leigh 17.

This was another excellent display by all of the Leigh squad and they deserve a lot of credit for the way that they have knuckled down since Christmas to turn their fortunes around and stay up in this highly competitive League for next season’s campaign.

May I take this opportunity to wish both Kendal and Kirkby Lonsdale well in their game next week to decide who becomes North One West League Champions. May the best team win!

Leigh entertain Vale of Lune at Hand Lane in their last game of the season. Kick off 3 p.m.