Match Reports about Leigh Centurions since 1998

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Friday 8 January 2010

1998 Season Reports: SWINTON 32 LEIGH 22

Swinton Lions 32 - 22 Leigh Centurions


A superb second half fightback failed to stop Leigh sliding to defeat in the good Friday derby at Gigg Lane.

Keith Latham made several bold changes to his line up, selecting Donohue at scrum half and handing a debuts to new signing Keiron Purtill and loan pair Dave Whittle and Andy Grundy.

As the Centurions were introducing the newcomers, Swinton opened at breakneck pace. Hooker Cannon punished slack marker play to crash in after just 180 seconds. By the 14th minute a brace of tries from Paul Barrow saw Leigh trail 0-14.

Twenty minutes had elapsed before Leigh settled into a pattern. John Costello and Stuart Donlan created an opening before Alan Hadcroft showed power on the flank to cross after 22 minutes. Steve Garces almost scored a wonder try three minutes later but his chip kick rolled over the deadball line.

Just as Leigh started to make a game of it, the Lions hit back with a spell of pressure that resulted in a converted try for Casey. Four minutes from the interval a tired defence allowed Ian Watson to break through and send Gartland over for 6 points.

At 26-6 Leigh were well out of the game, but the spirit showed in the second half was tremendous as on loan forwards Grundy and Whittle combined with the irrepressible Tim Street to provide a platform for the class of Donlan to shine in the backs.

Alan Hadcroft scored first in the second half, showing determination following a strong Costello burst and a neat pass from Donlan.

Ten minutes into the new half Paul Wingfield made a long break and debutant Purtill was forced out just short. Three minutes later, Leigh made amends as Costello and O'Loughlin drew the defence for Wingfield to cross in the corner. Unfortunateley the on-loan winger had an off day with the boot, landing just one goal from five, a conversion to the 57th minute touchdown from Anthony Murray.

As Leigh threatened their greatest comeback in history, Swinton extended their lead when a simple tackle was missed and former Rochdale standoff Gartland scored his second try on 65 minutes.

Leigh kept plugging away and were rewarded 10 minutes from time when Murray and Donohue combined on the last tackle to put Dave Hill in at the left corner.

Unfortunately it was too little, too late.

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