sure of

second spot Leigh 33

Carlisle 22 By MIKE HULME OLD hands Chris Wilkinson and Ged Stazicker masterminded the victory that secured Division Two runner's-up spot for Leigh.

Prop Stazicker continued his sensational form by collecting two crucial first half tries while influential scrum-half Wilkinson proved the difference between the sides with six goals from seven attempts.

Both sides scored five tries apiece in a see-saw battle but it was Wilkinson's kicking accuracy that clinched Leigh's ninth straight win.

Three times Leigh thought they had the match in the bag with leads of 10-0, 16-4 and 30-14 but third-placed Carlisle were in no mood to roll over.

Leigh's inexperience in handling pressure let them down at times but with Stazicker's considerable influence helping them through some sticky patches the Hilton Park side kept their cool to become the first side this season to complete a league double over the Cumbrians.

Just three minutes had gone when Stazicker announced his intentions with a thundering 30 metres break that set up the opening try for young winger Barry Burgess before Wilkinson cleverly held back a pass to create a gaping hole for Stazicker to charge through.

They let themselves down in defence, however when New Zealander Richard Henera burst through for a 21st minute try and just before the break Manihera chipped through for another score but in between Stazicker showed all the guile and pace of a back by going over for a top class solo try.

Leigh's 16-10 interval lead became even more tenuous two minutes into the second half when Manihera made all the running for Barry Quayle to score but Leigh had enough left in the tank to find an extra gear and quick tries from Jimmy Veikoso and John Perigo along with three more Wilkinson goals, sent the home side out to 30-14.

Carlisle responded with their fifth try from Matt Lynch and an injury time long-range effort from Henera but a Wilkinson penalty and late drop goal kept the Cumbrian's at arm's length.

Leigh last night completed the signing of Leigh East utility back Tim Fletcher. LEIGH: O'Loughlin; Burgess, Hadcroft, Veikoso, Cheetham (Cain HT); Ingram (Fletcher 73) Wilkinson; Liku, Bannister, Stazicker, Daniel, Perigo, Hill.

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