Rugby League: Davies holds down Leigh: Late show puts Warrington back into second place

Leigh . . . . .6

Warrington. .14

LEIGH are destined for relegation, but they are giving the First Division's elite the fright of their lives on the way, writes Dave Hadfield.

The bottom club had beaten Bradford and taken Wigan all the way in their last two games, and it was not until Jonathan Davies's second try five minutes from time that Warrington made sure of a win that takes them back into second place. Davies aside though, Leigh were the better team at Hilton Park last night.

In the first half, both sides were forced to settle for a penalty apiece. Warrington's came from Mark Meadows' high tackle on Kelly Shelford, and Leigh's well-deserved equaliser from John Gunning arrived after a long period of pressure caught John Thursfield offside.

The try that separated the teams at half-time was pure Welsh gold, Allan Bateman bursting out of his own 25 four minutes before the break and sending Davies, back after a two- match absence, on a 65-yard dash to the line. Davies added the conversion to his earlier penalty.

Leigh got their just reward for some admirably adventurous play when a splendidly sustained handling move led to Gunning sending Dave Webster in.

Warrington were rocking but felt a little more comfortable when Davies kicked his third goal. Davies's dart through a rare gap from a Kevin Ellis pass clinched it, but Leigh could be proud of their efforts.

Leigh: Webster; Cheetham, Hanger, Sarsfield, Pratt; Gunning (Blakeley, 66), Pendlebury; Costello, Rowley, Meadows (Baldwin, 50), Collier, Daniel (Meadows, 61), Martin.

Warrington: Penny; Forster, Bateman, Davies, Myler (Roper, 76); Ellis, Mackey; Teitzel (Darbyshire, 55), Thursfield, Phillips, Jackson, Sanderson, Shelford.

Referee: S Cross (Hull).