West Bank Swan 19 - 12 Leigh East

[LeedsViking]

Photos from the game are now available HERE



**Eddie will provide the match report once his creative juices start to flow**   

[eddietheviking]

picture 8, were has leons arm disappeared to 

[eddietheviking]

cracking pics them pal

[steamin]

Class pics mate, but you could've give me a bit more hair!!

[LeedsViking]

Class pics mate, but you could've give me a bit more hair!!

You should've had a toupeé made with the hair The Bomb has gotten rid of since the last time I watched the Swan 

[steamin]

True, I believe they are building a new thatched cottage in Hale with his off cuts.

[Patterson 1]

i could do with a donor lv,and a bit of airbrushing on my belly!

[LeedsViking]

Had to laugh today...  when I changed ends at half time and positioned myself behind the posts, the Leigh number 5 said to me "You're at the wrong end if you're hoping to photograph any tries".....   I think I made the right choice after all 

[steamin]

Im guna copy that post LV and stick it on the Swans board. That is class.

[BigSamB]

Thanks for coming along LV, everyone at the club appreciates you putting in the effort and taking time out to post them on here.

Regarding the game, big pat on the back for the whole team today, it was character that won us the game. LE are a very good, smart outfit, and in the 1st half even at 0-10 the reason we had little to offer in attack was due to LE getting in our faces very quickly.
2nd half was were the character of the team really kicked in. Although probably not the greatest free flowing rugby to watch, we did dig in and go for ugly rugby that eventually paid dividends.

Well done lads. Think that is 8 wins on the bounce, just brewing nicely for the next month as we enter the business end of the season.

[eddietheviking]

West Bank Swans 19 – 12 Leigh East

The Swans took on top of the table Leigh East for the 3rd time this season. Honours were even between the two sides with Easts being victorious earlier in the season in the league and the Swans knocking the tough Leigh outfit out of the NWC cup.
Easts needing to win to keep their place at the summit of division 3 started the game the brightest and soon found themselves ahead on the scoreboard after 15 minutes when their active loose forward crashed over from close range. The Swans rallied and following some rampaging runs from Dave Brady and Jonny Mark found themselves close to scoring, only a last ditch tackle keeping them out.
After a succession of penalties Easts headed downfield and spent what seemed like a life time camped on the Swans try line, excellent defence from Adam Elwell and Leon Phillips somehow kept them at bay. The Swans defence did crack though just before half time when the Easts scrum half wormed his way through to touch down under the sticks and take the half time score to 0 – 10.

Following a stern talking to from Coach Peter Brady the Swans came out firing in the second half eager to peg back their Leigh opponents. Only 5 minutes into the half the Swans hit back when rapid wing man Kevin ''the volcano'' Gamble evaded 3 defenders to score out wide following some excellent build up play from Greg Pitchilingi and Rob Murnane, David Patterson tagged on the extra’s from the touchline.
Easts then extended their lead with a penalty to go 6 clear with 20 minutes left to play.
The Swans never let their heads drop and stuck to their game plan and it was this determination that drove them forward with Chris Syers and Phillip Briscoe leading from the front making metre after metre. The Swans now found themselves 10 metres from their opponents line with one tackle left and with the high bomb expected loose forward David Jones fooled everybody when he chipped over the defensive line and touched down next to the sticks, Patterson again converted to take the score to 12 apiece, Game on.
Both Teams went in search of the winning score and Easts looked like they would snatch it when their winger broke free only for Keith Pierce to cut him down in his tracks and force a turnover. The Swans backline rolled up their sleeves to aid the forwards making the hard yards with Michael Drake punching well above his weight particularly impressive. With the final whistle swiftly approaching and both teams seemingly gridlocked up stepped that man again David Jones who showed composure beyond his years to knock over a drop goal and send the rain soaked fans into rapture.
This however was not to be the last of the Swans and with the final play of the game tireless scrum half Greg Pitchilingi squeezed over from act in half to wrap up the win, with Pattersons second touchline conversion of the day the icing on the cake.

Cheshire Oaks Bacon Products Man of the Match
1st - Jonny Mark
2nd – David Jones
3rd – Phillip Briscoe

[Rugby Buff]

GOD you must have some big forwards there lads if that's the size of your water bottle carrier on the touch line. ( PIC 19).

[the rock]

picture 49. does he know he's not playing american football. 

[Gamblelini-viking]

Cheers for the pics LV, and Eddie loving the write up again 

(Pic 18)looks like mike smith from maries

[BigSamB]

Great report Ed, summed up the game very nicely. Everyone played their part, outside the MoM's, I thought Gamble was immense. Fantastic in defence and attack. His try required guts and he has it by the truck load at the moment. Must be one of the most improved players the Swan have. Equally pretty staggered Syers didn't get a mention as he along with his partner in crime in the front row both put in warrior like performances.