A MUCH-CHANGED and inexperienced Leigh RU first XV was soundly beaten 36-8 by old rivals Wigan in the opening league encounter pf the season.

Leigh competed well in the first half and took an early lead with an Ian Wright penalty. Wigan, however, gradually assumed control and took the lead on the stroke of half time with a Worthington try.

The visitors, with former England stand-off Peter Williams pulling the strings, were far superior in the second half as winger Worthington went on to score three more tries.

Leigh gained a consolation try through Steve Lee but Wigan had the last word with a try from Horrocks.

Phil Robinson and Tom Cartwright worked hard in a beaten Leigh pack and skipper Ross Fletcher never gave up.

First XV (v Ashton on Mersey, home, meet 1.15pm): From - S.Young, C.Travers, S.Davies, M.Prescott, C.Bailey, T.Westwell, Ross Fletcher (c), S.Haste, N.Aspinall, C.Whittle, T.Cartwright, G.Kenwright, D.Penn, M.Parker, S.Lee, I.Wright, P.Hampson, J.Bridge, N.Dando, P.Baker, A.Higson.

'A' XV ( v Bolton, home, meet 1.15pm): P.O'Neil, P.Nugent, M.Downs, D.Finn, J.Carlisle, J.Kenwright, A.Westwell, D.Bullough, J.Cadebo, G.Andrews (c), J.Bibby, R.Houghton, C.Innes, A.Blackburn, B.Gallagher.

Vets (Fleetwood, home, meet 2pm): From - S.Culshaw (c), A.Barton, I.Cummings, T.Sutton, M.Lee, I.Eccleston, H.Delaney, D.Clegg, I.McMenemy, S.Harper, B.Marrow, S.Owen, C.Seymore, M.Hampson, P.Bailey, S.Ranson, P.Tustin, A.Thompson, M.Wood.

Hawks (v Southport, away, meet 1pm): S.Hollingsworth, M.Hillary, J.Krause, R.Lawson, J.Will, T.Ashurst, L.Schroeder, M.Brunt, B.Vernell, S.Middlehurst, L.Thomas, B.Wright, N.Greenwood (c), M.Hilton, D.Robinson, T.Trumble, S.Harrison, J.Willsby.

Tofts (v Bolton, away, meet 1.30pm): J.Porteous, P.Appleton, R.Isherwood, G.Egerton, D.Leake, B.Yates, G.Miller, G.Vickers, M.Drinnan, G.Green, D.Phillips, G.Norman, S.Riley, G.Butler, D.Leck, R.McKeever.