MATCH REPORT -  9th September 2006 - Vagabonds v Leigh  11 - 25  

Leigh were always going to prove a difficult challenge and it was no great surprise that Vagabonds lost their opening league fixture, going down 25 - 11 at a sunny Glencrutchery Road. There were however some encouraging signs for the remainder of the season.

Vagas started better and soon put pressure on the visitors. Kevin Riley was halted just short of the Leigh line in the third minute. He was dispossessed in the tackle but Stephen Peacock’s clearance kick was ran straight back by Vagas centre Jay Kruger and Leigh were caught offside at the ensuing ruck. Johnny Beckley slotted home the penalty and Vagas were in front. Beckley added a second penalty two minutes later after he was obstructed off the ball while chasing his own little dink over the top of the Leigh midfield.

With the score 6 - 0 to Vagas after ten minutes, Leigh finally decided to come to the party. A series of forward drives gave them a penalty which stand off Stuart Fisher stroked home. Shortly afterwards as Leigh continued to pile on the pressure, Werner-Jansen van Vurren’s attempted clearance was caught by the gusting wind and seemed to hover in the air above Vagas’ try line. Leigh scrum half Dave Wood was the quickest to react and he plucked the ball from the air and flopped over the line to put the visitors 8 - 6 in front.

As half time neared, Leigh forged further ahead. Dave Wood created some space for centre Carl Bibby to touch down and this was closely followed by another series of driving mauls with left wing Chris Irwin the beneficiary of the space out wide. These two unconverted tries gave Leigh an 18 - 6 advantage at the break.

Vagas started the second half with a bang. The forwards drove Leigh down the right flank and skipper Kevin Riley emerged with the ball from the bottom of the pile-up to pull Vagas back into the match at 11 - 18. The hope was however short lived. From the restart, Leigh flanker Chris Bibby ghosted through the Vagas defence to touch down under the posts. Stuart Fisher added the conversion and it was game over.

To their credit, Vagas battled on for the last twenty minutes and were indeed unlucky not to get a further score from the possession and territory they had, but it was not to be. Man of the match for me was Leigh scrum half Dave Wood who read the game beautifully. For Vagas, Kevin Riley was inspirational.

Thanks to Dave Christian for this match report.

Dave Christian, Rugby News Services to the Gentry. email: results@manx.net

Match photos courtesy of Brian Goldie:

Match photos courtesy of Pete Makin:

Match photos courtesy of IOM Newspapers © :
Other photos courtesy of Pete Makin:
Life Members - Mike Henthorn (left); Terry Beatson (2nd right); Robyn Redmayne (right) and guest Tom Osbourne (2nd left)			Man-of-the-Match Gericke Scheurkogel with Match Sponsor Hilton Hotel's representative Rebecca Macaulay and Vagas Chairman Allan Thompson
David Butterworth and Barry Kennedy from Club Sponsors Skanco and Rebecca Macaulay from Match Sponsor Hilton Hotel receiving their Sponsors Club Tie from Vagas Chairman Allan Thompson			Referee Brian Harris presenting a plaque to the Club to celebrate the centenary of the Liverpool Society.  Also pictured is Vagas President Des Collins