NEW BRIGHTON, with a much-changed side, produced a terrific performance at Leigh to take the North Two West points and avenge a home defeat earlier in the season.
It was never easy against the battling home outfit, but the Blues took their chances for a crucial success. Leigh managed an unconverted try through Dave Wood, after good work by Derek Crompton, when Brighton’s Phil Buckley was serving time in the bin to lead 5-0 at the break
The Blues had given away too many penalties to lose the impetus at key moments but they got their act together in the second period.
Stephen Dean, who made a sound contribution at stand-off, landed a brace of penalties.
Ryan McKibbin, outstanding in the back row, grabbed his first try for the club when the Leigh pack was pushed back from their own put-in. In the last quarter Dean sent Andy Signal on a fine 70-metre solo dash to the corner for the second try.
The Blues pack laid the foundations of success with Paul Lewis, in his first outing at prop, and Paul Roberts in the second row well to the fore, but there was also some good backs movement despite the difficult heavy conditions.
The win lifted the Blues to sixth place in the table but still six points behind leaders Altrincham Kersal.
