Vagabonds Women's team, led by Rachel Purnell , produced their best performance for some time to defeat North Division One side Leigh on Saturday. 

From the kick-off the home side never allowed their more illustrious opponents to settle, turning aggressive defence into attack at every opportunity. Ten minutes into the game Amy Wheeler and Sarah Sleddon broke powerfully up field and the quick ball allowed stand off Nikki Davies to exploit a disorganised defence to score under the posts. Sleddon added the extra points with a neat drop kick.

Vagabonds continued to press but were unable to add to their score and as the half drew to a close the visitors superior match fitness enabled them to attack the home sides line . Outstanding defence, led by the back row of Wheeler, Gemma Rae and Hannah King, prevented a score and Vagabonds took their seven point advantage into the half time break.

The second period saw Vagabonds return to the attack. the pack were securing quick ball from the second and third phases and Rachel Beckley and Nikki Davies were constantly probing for the break. When the chance came Katie Croft was on hand to outpace the cover for the local sides second try.Sleddon's conversion gave them a fourteen point advantage.

Leigh realised that the game was slipping away from them and with their back line effectively stifled they concentrated on using their sizeable pack to drive the ball forward. Vagabonds defence held firm for a time, aided by Beckley 's relieving kicks but the pressure eventually told. After a number of penalties for infringing at the ruck Leigh were able to force the ball over the line reducing the lead to seven points. When a second try followed shortly after the home side were clinging to a slender two point advantage.

Vagabonds could have folded but chose instead  pressurise their opponents from the re-start knocking them back in the tackle and turning over possession until Rachel Beckley took the half chance to break down the blind side and cap another superb individual performance with her sides third try.Sleddon pushed the tricky conversion just wide leaving Vagabonds seven points ahead with a minute and a half left on the clock.

Leigh looked for a chance to level the scores but it was Vagabonds who finished the stronger with Becky Newton narrowly failing to add to the score . The final whistle saw Vagabonds home by nineteen points to twelve. 

This was a superb effort by the Vagabonds team from tight five to full-back and substitutes bench . Always difficult, the choice of player of the match on this occasion was almost impossible . From a plethora of outstanding performances the choice finally fell on Katie Croft who epitomised the teams spirit in defence and attack.

Special thanks to Joe Phelan for refereeing his second match of the day prior to running touch for the first team game.

The team returns to training on Monday and Wednesday and would welcome new players.