LEIGH'S Alliance side kicked off their new season with a 10-10 home draw against Widnes on Wednesday, ending the Vikings' 12-game winning run that stretches back to last season.

But Leigh will be kicking themselves that they didn't take maximum points. With 11 minutes left Leigh were 10-10 ahead and looking in good shape, but two pieces of individual brilliance from Widnes scrum-half Paul George brought two tries.

Overall Leigh will be satisfied with their start. Club skipper Kieron Purtill made a successful comeback after shoulder surgery, playing a starring role in the first 40 minutes before he retired.

Aussie prop Jamie Gass showed promise both in attack and defence until tiring late on while another new recruit, Jason Johnson, picked up both Leigh tries.

In a defence-dominated game, Leigh broke the deadlock with Johnson's first try nine minutes before half time before stretching their lead to 10-0 after 64 minutes when Johnson scored again and Lee Sanderson tagged on the extras.

Eleven minutes from time George dummied and shot under the posts for a six pointer an in the closing minutes got outside a tiring Leigh defence for the equalising try in the corner.

Leigh: Fishwick, Pilkington, Johnson, Halliwell, P.Wingfield, Purtill, Sanderson, Bourhill, Patel, Leathem, C.Wingfield, Lewis, Bowker. Subs: Gass, Lomax, Hodson, Duffy.