THE final game in the chase for a promotion spot was a bridge too far for Leigh as they went down 15-12 at Southport.

Needing their rivals Bowdon to lose at Vagabonds or to win by a massive points difference, the challenge was too much for a side totally off form on the day.

Leigh started well and after missing an early chance to open the scoring, Wilcock finished off a period of Leigh pressure to score under the posts and convert his try.

A mistake behind the Leigh scrummage gifted Southport an easy converted try to level the scores before Southport then took the lead with a converted penalty.

With Leigh on the attack, a handling movement broke down with the try line begging. The ball was hacked downfield for Southport to win the touchdown and a 15-7 half time lead.

An intercepted ball from one scrummage allowed Southport to relieve the pressure and saw Wilcock sin-binned for a late cover tackle. A late Leigh breakaway produced another Wilcock try but the Southport pack and the clock were the winners. This was probably Leigh's worst performance of the season and a disappointing end to earlier promising prospects of promotion.

Other results: Blackburn 3rd 29, Leigh Hawks 24; Leigh Tofts 33 Tyldesley 10.

JUNIOR RESULTS

West Park U5s 33 Leigh10

Leigh took an early lead when Knapman raced over. Park looked dangerous on the break but Leigh's handling was causing problems. Eventually Jones finished a great cross-field move. Park hit back with a converted try and Leigh failed to capitalise on Parrott's break from a scrum.

In the second half Park's giant forwards gained momentum and Leigh couldn't reproduce their first half form as the home side took advantage of some poor defence to score four tries, three converted to seal Leigh's heaviest defeat of the season.

Leigh U14s 0 Birkenhead 34

A lacklustre Leigh came unstuck against a Birkenhead Park team who were prepared to pass the ball out wide. Leigh had only themselves to blame for this disappointing display which was probably their worst of the season.

Leigh U10s played in the Wilmslow Tournament on Sunday and reached the semi-finals with some good rugby played by all.

Leigh U10s 10 Trafford 0

This was a good start with great defence by Prady, Ranson and Parr. Tries came from James Wilkinson and Thomas Lloyd.

Leigh U10s 0 West Park 0

This was end to end rugby with great defence by both teams. There was some good support play by Browning, O'Neil and Sarah Thorpe.

Leigh U10s 25 Tarlton 0

The pressure was on Leigh to win by five tries to reach the semi-final and how well they did to complete the task. Great play by Paine and Moorfield in attack. Tries came from James Wilkinson 3, Matthew Unsworth and Richard Thorpe.

Leigh U10s 5 Greystoke 25

Leigh came up against a truly great side who had too much pace and power for a tired looking Leigh. They hung on to the end but the best side won the day. Leigh can be proud of their days work and can hold their heads high. Well done. Leigh's try came from James Wilkinson.

Playing their last games of the season as Under 7's, Leigh's youngsters played their hearts out in five matches, falling at the final hurdle.

In the opening game Leigh were slow to start against Widnes but managed a creditable 10-10 draw. The second game, against Eccles proved to be a contested affair with Leigh edging the opposition out 35-25, The final pool match against West Park saw Leigh prevail 35-20.

Leigh drew Tarlton in the semi-final, a fantastic exhibition of rugby from both teams saw Leigh easily win by 35-20.

The final against the same Widnes team saw Leigh finally run out of steam and succumb to a very good display of rugby by the winners of the tournament.