A WEAKENED Kirkby side found Leigh carrying too many guns for them in the Powergen Intermediate Cup on Saturday.

Leigh 60 -Kirkby Lonsdale 7.

Half a dozen first-teamers were missing due to cry-offs or injuries and well-organised opponents who are riding high in the Lancs/Cheshire League, averaging more than 40 points per match, were able to overwhelm them.

Even so, Kirkby went ahead after five minutes when skipper James Hadwin intercepted an inside pass and took out the full back to send winger Gavin Thompson to run half the length of the pitch to score in the corner, Mark Barton converting for the 7-0 lead.

However, before very long the bigger Leigh forwards used their considerable bulk to get over the gain line and brought their very sharp backs into play, Kirkby did well in the circumstances to limit the damage to 21-7 at half time, but it was downhill afterwards as Leigh again drew in the visiting backs before whipping the ball out wide to pile up the points.

Kirkby's flankers Andrew Shepherd and Josh Clarke were the pick of the side, doing a lot of good work tidying up around the scrum.

Skipper James Hadwin said: "We are struggling a bit and need to win our home matches in the league.

"We are a young side and require a bit of belief in ourselves."

Kirkby entertain Tyldesley on Saturday.