LEIGH CENTURIONS 28 KEIGHLEY COUGARS 16
By Dave Parkinson.
The Centurions continued their recent march to the play-offs with a resounding 6-tries-to-2 mauling of the Cougars in their best display of the season so far.
Led superbly from the front by stand-off Andy Fairclough, Leigh made a lightening start, Heath Cruckshank touching down in the first minute following a Cougar knock-on.
Dave Ingram grabbed a second Centurion try in the twelfth minute before a Cruckshank "big hit" was penalised and Martin Wood added the first of his four goals.
Keighley were back in the game two minutes later when a towering kick from Christian Tyrer fell to former Warrington winger Jason Lee who just evaded a tackle to crash over in the corner.
Ten minutes before half-time Leigh stretched their advantage to 12-6 when Fairclough's defence splitting pass saw Ingram race 40 metres before Anthony Murray's support was rewarded and the hooker sped to the line.
Another Wood penalty closed the gap to four points but Leigh hit back with virtually the last play of the half when Scott Hilton and Stuart Donlan combined to put James Arkwright over in the corner. Wingfield then converted superbly from the touchline for a ten point half-time cushion.
The second half began poorly for the Centurions as Keighley applied pressure and pinned the home side in their own territory. Former Castleford forward Andrew Schick went close before a try saving tackle from Donlan. The Leigh fullback then tested the patience of referee Smith with his delaying tactics and was sinbinned. Wood made it 18-10 with the resultant penalty.
Keighley were unable to take further advantage with the Centurions defensive line holding firm.
As the weather deteriorated, Leigh adjusted their game and Tim Street burrowed his way over for a 22-10 lead after 66 minutes.
The Cougars were not finished and piled forward. Hard working scrum-half Nathan Antonik worked an opening for Dave Larder to grab a try on 72 minutes. Wood closed the lead to just 6 points with the conversion and gave the Hilton Park crowd a worrying last few moments.
They need not have worried as Leigh sealed the game in the final minute when man-of-the-match Fairclough dived over for his 11th of the season, with Wingfield adding only the second goal of a slightly wayward kicking performance.
Leigh Centurions - 28
Tries - (minutes in brackets)
Cruckshank (1), Ingram (12), Murray (30), Arkwright (39), Street (66), Fairclough (79).
Goals - Paul Wingfield 2 (from 7)
Keighley Cougars - 16
Tries - (minutes in brackets)
Lee (20), Larder (72).
Goals - Martin Wood 4 (from 5)
Game Stars -
Leigh - Andy Fairclough No.6
Keighley - David Larder No.11
Attendance - 1856
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