The Lepers came into the game against RGL on the back of a relatively poor display against pointless Kenny's Reds. In spite of this, the pre-match focus was strong as the Lepers appreciated the importance of the RGL match. Level on points, it was only the Lepers' fantastic goal difference that separated the two sides in the table. Both teams had won all matches with the exception of defeat against Christine Hamilton - the Lepers going down 7-3, compared to RGL's 12-8 reverse.
The team was looking strong - the only exceptions being the injured Jerzak and Stoner, the only person the Home Office haven't released early or by mistake. The team welcomed back Phil from his fact-finding mission to Canada.
The Lepers started off in spritely fashion, creating a couple of chances that the gloveless RGL keeper was lucky to keep out. However, a few minutes in the RGL boys took the lead. Some sloppy defending resulted in a shot from the right that was saved by Sheen, but he was helpless to prevent the unmarked man following up.
This was a real blow to the Lepers who pride themselves on their defensive record. The boys responded well and piled more and more pressure on the RGL boys until Drake cracked through their defences to bring the Lepers back on level terms. From the kick-off a determined Harvey made a strong tackle and smashed the ball past the keeper. Two Lepers goals in 20 seconds were a real blow for RGL.
More pressure from the Lepers resulted in Drake finding space down the right and applying the tried and tested method of battering the ball at the keeper. Drake is undeniably the master of this art and the ball duly went in off the keeper's thigh.
Shortly before half-time the Lepers were awarded a penalty. For the fourth time an RGL player wandered through his own box. This time it was spotted and Spike stepped up. With thoughts of his idol, Gilberto Silva's miss firmly in his mind, it was clear the pressure was on. However, Spike proved his credentials with a penalty of the absolute highest quality, calming bulleting the ball into the top corner.
There was still time for the Lepers to score again in the first half, or so they thought. A shot from the halfway line was saved and ballooned into the air - the ball then fell to the edge of the box where an RGL player spilt the ball into his own net. It was disallowed for some unknown indiscretion.
The half-time break gave the team a chance to reassert their focus. The start of the second half saw the Lepers keen to finish off the job, despite a concerted effort from RGL. The game was effectively killed off 5 minutes in when Will Webb manouevered himself into space before coolly, yet powerfully slotting the ball into the bottom corner. That lad never fails to justify his place in the side.
The crowd then warmed to the re-introduction of Phil Hoskins - his first game since the 14th of December - who starred with his first action, tackling his own player. He was unlucky not to mark his return with a wondergoal as he struck a bullet that hit the crossbar.
Late goals from Spike and elastic Drake, both competently slotted through the RGL keeper's legs completed the victory for the Lepers. 7-1 didn't look probable when the Lepers conceded first but one of the finest displays in Lepers' history sealed victory. This was another fine hat-trick from Dan "Drunk" Drake.
A quick look at the league table showed that the victory had taken the Lepers top of the league, although Christine Hamilton were still to play that evening. Subsequent results meant that the Lepers slipped back to second, but the night's work confirmed the Lepers to be three points clear of RGL. At the halfway point of the season, the Lepers are poised for a sprint finish towards a second consecutive promotion - and a good result next week should put the Lepers into pole position for the Division 5 title!