MATCH REPORT -  28th January 2006 - Vagabonds v Leigh 20 - 22

Skanco Vagabonds played host to Leigh in their first home match of 2006 in a match sponsored by Barclays.

From the kick off, Vagabonds pinned Leigh into their own half and a clearance kick by the Leigh full back was charged down by Ewald Kilian who won the touch down for Vagabonds’ first try which was converted by Jonathan Beckley – score 7 – 0.  If the spectators were thinking that this was going to be an easy ‘day at the office’ they were mistaken.  From the kick off Leigh drove into Vagabonds half and from a resultant scrum scored a try on the blind side by the Leigh winger, J Thompson, which was converted to bring the score to 7 all.

Both sides were shell-shocked at the ease of two tries early on in the game and it was Leigh that took advantage, pinning Vagabonds in their own half.  Vagabonds were lucky when Leigh missed a penalty the ball having hit the posts, this was a lucky escape for Vagabonds. Then unfortunately they had Aneurin Pritchard yellow-carded.  The resultant penalty was converted by Leigh taking the score to 7 – 10.

Vagabonds, with one man down, managed to hold out against the Leigh pressure and they themselves were awarded a penalty in the Leigh 22.  This was converted by Jonathan Beckley to take the score to 10 all at half time.

In the second half Leigh were taking the game to Vagabonds but some good defensive work kept Leigh out.  Penalties were traded by both sides with Vagabonds being successful taking the score to 13 -10.  Some poor clearance kicking by Vagabonds allowed Leigh to pin Vagabonds in their own half and a lapse in Vagabonds’ defence allowed Leigh’s winger J Thompson to score unopposed under the posts – score 13 – 17. 

Leigh at this stage were gaining the upper hand on Vagabonds and some good driving mauls were only held out by some stout tackling by Vagabonds defence.  Eventually, Vagabonds line was breached by some good forward work by Leigh to score an unconverted try bringing the score to 13 – 22.

Vagabonds did not give up and managed eventually to break into Leigh’s 22.  Some good line out work saw skipper Kevin Riley break over to score a converted try which took the score to 20 – 22.  Vagabonds continued pressurising and had two chances to take the game.  The first was a clean break by Ewald Kilian through the middle of the Leigh defence only for his pass to be knocked on.  The second, from another move from a line out saw Vagabonds actually go over the try line but some very good defending by Leigh drove the ensuing maul into touch.  Time ran out leaving the score 20 – 22 to the visitors.

Simcocks Man-of-Match for Vagabonds was Ewald Kilian.  Vagabonds thanks go to Barclays for sponsoring the match.

Some photos ..............

(photo courtesy of Pete Makin)	(photo courtesy of Pete Makin)
(photo courtesy of Pete Makin)	(photo courtesy of IOM Newspapers ©)
(photo courtesy of IOM Newspapers ©)	(photo courtesy of IOM Newspapers ©)