Leigh Centurions 16 - 48 Featherstone Rovers
By Dave Parkinson
Leighs confidence draining run continued as Featherstone became the latest team to benefit from a generous defence. Rovers scored 8 tries in all, but with more clinical finishing could have had several more. All too often the Centurions sat back instead of incorporating the Australian "in your face" style of defending.
Rovers capitalised on a customery slow start from the Centurions with an early penalty before Richard Chapman punished poor defence to crash over from close range. Ty Fallins converted and supported an Irwin break to cross under the posts on 18 minutes.
Tim Street, so often a source of inspiration, dragged the Centurions back into the game with a barnstorming drive that led to Andy Pucill being held over the line. From the possession Leigh worked the ball wide for ShaunGeritas to then send Street over on 22 minutes.
The Centurions self belief temporarily returned with that move and they continued to press for further points as Geritas was held over the line. Rovers rearguard held firm in the face of some excellent pressure.
Paul Wingfield added a penalty two minutes before halftime, but this was all Leigh had to show for a good second quarter.
Rovers came out for the second half, a motivated unit and blasted Leigh with a three try burst. Prop Stuart Dickens (2) and young winger Karl Pratt capitalised on sloppy defence in the first ten minutes of the period, stretching a 14-6 interval lead to an unasailable 32-6.
Leigh hit back as Street marauded upfield with a 40 metre bust. Quick play saw Leigh work the overlap but Dave Ingram was forced into touch just short of the line.
On the hour Rovers hooker Chapman dummied and broke from acting halfback before handing on to centre Kimmell to score a converted try.
The Centurions rallied and Wingfield got his reward. He took the ball 15 metres out and the winger shrugged off three attempted tackles to cross beneath the posts.
On 73 minutes, Rovers made it 42-12 when the ball was again pushed wide and David Ingram was left stranded as Kimmell scooted over. With the game gone, Leigh pushed hard for a score. John Gunning added the consolation with an arcing 15metre surge that caught Featherstone unaware.
It was perhaps fitting that the outstanding Chapman had the final word, supporting a fine break from Slater. Fallins added his eighth goal to ensure a convincing 48-16 victory in front of 935 spectators.
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