Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has named the Leigh side Greater Manchester club of the year for serving quality beers at their Hand Lane club.


Each regional branch of CAMRA in Greater Manchester nominated local clubs serving quality real ales and Leigh RUFC scored a hit with the judges for its commitment to cask ale.


Sarah Waterfield, Leigh RUFC club steward, was praised for changing the club's old system of "season over – no cask beer".
She proved there was a demand for real ale even in the closed season and started to introduce cask beers from around the region.


Sarah, who had her own brewery in Golborne, also commissioned her own recipe beer, named Round Ash after the Leigh Ground, from the Coach House Brewery in Warrington.
Her real ale policy has been so successful, people are reportedly visiting the club just to try the different beers available.
Demand


Earlier in the year the club held its first beer festival which also proved a great success.


Dave Hallows, of CAMRA, said: "There is no excuse not to serve cask beer at a club, as real ale kept well can make its own demand if it is available at all times.
"One of the visiting teams enjoyed Sarah's beer so much they ordered some Round Ash bitter for their own club house!"


Anyone who books the club's function room can request a cask beer which Sarah will order for their event.
Club opening hours are Monday to Thursday 7pm to 11pm, Friday 7pm to 12am, and Saturday and Sunday 1pm to 12.30am.