After some hit and miss performances in recent weeks the Trojans finally found the winning formula to create a small piece of history by being the first visiting team to win at the newly constructed Leigh Sports Village.

What made the victory even more satisfying is that the game was been played on an artificial surface, making it a new experience for the players.

The all weather artificial playing field was narrow to say the least and certainly restricted flowing attacking play. However, what the field did do was provide the perfect stage for man of the match Richard Pachniuk to give a master class in Rugby League skills. Pachniuk was absolutely awesome, clearly head and shoulders above any other player on the field in terms of all round awareness of play and creativity.

Richard Pachniuk was yet again a tower of strength.

Harris appears to be growing in confidence every time he pulls on a shirt for Thornhill and certainly looks to be one for the future. There was an equally impressive performance from youngster Ben Kendall in the second row. Kendall was all over the field with a terrific work rate on defence and never took a backwards step when on attack.

The first half was all about Thornhill keeping their composure under trying circumstances. Not only did the Trojans have the playing surface to adapt to and the narrow field, but many of the 50/50 refereeing decisions seemed to be going against them. But rather than become frustrated the Trojans simply let the game evolve and took their chances when they came.

The first points of the game came from the boot of Leigh Easts’ Dave Radley. Two penalty goals saw the home team build up a small lead. These two penalty goals were separated by a penalty goal from Danny Ratcliffe. It wasn’t until minutes before the half time interval that the first try of the game was scored.

The try went to Thornhill and came as a result of a powerful run from Anthony Harris as he went charging up field. As the try line came within reach Liam Morley picked up the ball and showed great awareness to get over the try line. With the forward momentum maintain Morley demonstrated some fancy footwork to prize through the Leigh East defence and nip over for a try. Danny Ratcliffe converted.

Scott Dyson rallied his troops during the half time break and the Trojans were raring to finish the job off as the second half got underway.

Trojans young prop Anthony Harris had a major impact on the game.

Chris Walker dashed half the length of the field to go between the posts for a try. Danny Ratcliffe converted and Thornhill could now smell success.

But rather than giving up Leigh East tightened and showed the fighting spirit of a team which was join top of the table going into this fixture.

The second half became a very tense affair, especially when Thornhill made a mess of clearing a Leigh East kick on their own line. The kick was fumbled and Mark Starkie pounced to score a try. Dave Radley converted to narrow Thornhill’s lead to four points.

Thornhill tackled their hearts out to stem wave after wave of Leigh attacks as they desperately hung on to their lead. A Danny Ratcliffe drop goal five minutes from time gave Thornhill some breathing space.

As the full time whistle went Thornhill celebrated. Scott Dyson had broken his duck. Leigh East’s winning record on the artificial surface had ended and Thornhill hope that they can now kick on from this victory to climb back into the play off places.

Match report compiled by Andrew Byram.