Workington Town 24 Leigh Centurions 40: Workington Town may have lost this game against table topping Leigh Centurions but it was a mammoth effort from the 14-man side.

With 11 injuries hitting the Town squad, boss Phil Veivers had to name three players on the bench who would not take part in the game.

Only Oliver Gordon was utilised off the sidelines and the forwards put in a massive stint throughout.

They put in one of the best performances to date as they matched the big name Centurions man for man in the first half.

Unfortunately tiredness took its toll in the latter stages and Leigh picked up three tries in a 10-minute spell that killed off the game.

But across the board there were some great performances, especially from youngster Tee Ritson, Perry Whiteley and Gordon.

Town looked to be in trouble early on as Andrew Dixon intercepted a pass from Liam McAvoy as Workington attacked their line.

He went half the length of the pitch before Tee Ritson came across and put in a crucial tackle. Leigh continued to press the Town line but Richard Whiting was held up with some good tackling.

Workington responded as Whiteley put in a good run towards the line but then Jarrod Sammut's final grubber kick was halted by the Leigh defence.

But it was Town who put the first points on the board as the two Murphy's combined for the home side.

Jack Murphy put in a lovely ball out to Chris Murphy on the wing and he dived over to touch down. Carl Forber's conversion was just short of the target but they led 4-0.

Perry Whiteley then made a superb break up the right hand side but, as he attempted to release his winger, the Leigh defender stepped in to intercept the danger.

On 15 minutes, Town got a second. This time it was out on the right wing where Whiteley fed Ritson who crossed out wide but Sammut could not add the extras.

Leigh were attacking hard as they set their stall out to get back into the game and Jamie Acton, the former Town forward, was held up over the line.

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After giving away another set in front of their posts, Town were made to pay as Acton slipped the ball to Jake Emmitt and he crossed under the sticks.

Leigh took the lead for the first time when Harrison Hansen rolled over the line and Martin Ridyard converted.

But Town bounced back once again as Sammut produced a jinking run close to the line to dummy the Leigh defence and touch down.

He converted his own try for Town to take the lead once more at 14-12.

A great kick from Forber on the last tackle nearly produced another try for Town but the Leigh defender just got his hand to the ball to beat the chasing attackers, forcing a drop-out.

As Workington continued to attack, Leigh struck a killer blow when Ridyard intercepted a Forber pass and raced the length of the field. He was well supported by Eze Harper but they were halted short of their target by Jack Murphy.

As Leigh continued to attack Town ran out of bodies and Tom Armstrong crossed the line as the hooter sounded. The conversion was missed but Leigh took a 16-14 lead in at the break.

Leigh came out for the second half fired up and had several early chances with Harrison Hansen dropping the ball on the attack and Ridyard held up over the line.

The visitors were put on a team warning by referee Gareth Hewer after another head tackle and Town pressed back.

Sammut popped up a lovely ball to the strong running Brett Phillips and he crashed over to give Town the advantage once more. Sammut's kick bounced back off the uprights but they were back in front at 18-16.

Tee Ritson climbed highest to take the ball at the opposite end of the field to deny Leigh an opportunity from a high kick but as the Town defence began to tire, Leigh took advantage.

In a 10-minute spell, they ran in three tries, two from Remi Maitua and one from Sam Hopkins, all converted from Ridyard to establish a 34-18 lead.

Leigh stretched their lead further when Fui Fui Moi Moi stretched over the line and Ridyard converted but Town were not giving up.

The home side had put in a fantastic effort, considering they only had 14 fit bodies to use and they got their reward with three minutes remaining.

Some great interpassing with Sammut and Murphy led to Jason Mossop fighting his way across the line and Sammut adding the extras.

At the final hooter Town may have been on the wrong end of a 24-40 scoreline but their effort and commitment could not be faulted after one of the displays of the season.

Workington Town: J Murphy, C Murphy, Whiteley, Mossop, Ritson, Forbert, Sammut, Coward, Doran, Shackley, B Phillips, Stack, McAvoy. Subs: Carter, Gordon, Verlinden, Walker.

Tries: C Murphy, Ritson, Sammut, Phillips, Mossop; Goals: Sammut 2/4

Leigh: Smith, Higson, Whiting, Armstrong, Harper, Ridyard, Reynolds, Moi Moi, Hood, Weston, Maitua, Dixon, Emmitt. Subs: Higham, Hopkins, Hansen, Acton.

Tries: Emmitt, Hansen, Armstrong, Maitua (2), Hopkins, Moi Moi; Goals: Reynolds 1/1, Ridyard 5/6

Referee: Gareth Hewer

Penalties: 10-10

Attendance: 787