Leigh 2nd 26 Warrington 2nd 15

WARRINGTON seconds surrendered a half-time lead to go down to defeat against bottom side Leigh.

Tries from Kieron Hughes and Ben Hockenhull, as well as five points from Darren Norman’s boot, had given the understrength visitors a 15-12 cushion at the break.

But the hosts’ physical strength told in the second half.

Warrington stand-in captain Luke Johnstone said: “Unfortunately, we just couldn’t match Leigh up front.

“Our young side played well, but perhaps we also missed our iconic leaders Paul Thompson and Shaun McDermott.”

Superb footwork from Hughes led to him getting the game’s first score in the corner, but Leigh’s pack then rolled over between the posts to allow them to take the lead.

They drove over again shortly afterwards to demonstrate their strength, but Norman’s boot kept Warrington in touch.

Hockenhull then outpaced the home defence to score between the posts and give the visitors a half-time lead.

Unfortunately, that was as good as it got as Leigh’s forwards rumbled over for two more pushover tries in the second half to seal the victory despite a spirited effort from a young Warrington side.