FOR a second week in succession Leigh RU Hawks were involved in a thrilling game that went down to the last seconds of injury time.

Due to traffic problems the Hawks arrived later than they would have liked and started the game without adequate preparation.

Before they could catch a breath, Eccles were two tries to the good as they applied all of the early pressure using their forward organisation well.

Down 14-0, the Hawks finally got out of first gear and applied pressure to the Eccles line. The Eccles side began to infringe constantly at the breakdown and conceded penalty after penalty.

The Hawks trusted their runners and Jones pulled a try back after good work from Peters. From a similar situation Peters was on hand to drive over from short range. Both tries were converted. Eccles were awarded a penalty late in the half to give them a 17-14 lead.

From a scrum the Leigh forwards applied pressure and Krause managed to intercept a pass to sprint in from 70 yards under the sticks for a converted try and put the Hawks in front 21-17.

Again Eccles came back and were awarded a penalty, despatched for 21-20. The Hawks responded with a drop goal by man of the match Jones, 24 -20. Another penalty was landed by the Eccles fly half, 24-23, as the game went deep into injury time.

As the light faded badly, six minutes into injury time Eccles attacked and the Leigh team were unjustly adjudged to have infringed again in the tackle which gave the home side a simple opportunity to win the game with the last play of the day.

Other results: Leigh 1st 73, Hoylake 5; Leigh 2nd 48, Warington 0; Anselmians 13, Leigh Vets 18; Stockport 48, Vikings 24.