Match Reports about Leigh Centurions since 1998

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Thursday 7 January 2010

1999 Season Reports: February: WIDNES 20 LEIGH 17 Challenge Cup

WIDNES VIKINGS 20 LEIGH CENTURIONS 17
By Dave Parkinson

A try from winger James Briers, 3 minutes from the end, sealed a Widnes victory in a gripping cup contest before a 4000 crowd at The AutoQuest Stadium.


Leigh, missing 5 first team players, pushed their more illustrious rivals close and took the lead after eleven minutes when a 25 metre cut-out pass from Scott Hilton found Mark Burrows lurking on the touchline. Phil Kendrick converted from the sideline.

Widnes roared back and levelled the scores with a try beneath the posts from prop Steve Argent that Jim Salisbury converted.

Although no further points were scored in the first half, referee Steve Ganson placed two incidents on report. The first was a scuffle involving Leigh's Tau Liku, while the second went against Widnes for a dangerous looking tackle on Stuart Donlan.

The Vikings made a great start to the second half when ex-Hunslet stand-off Paul Mansson popped a lovely pass out of a tackle to his supporting centre JimCassidy who scythed through the visitors defence for an unconverted try.

Widnes were then forced to alter their pattern when Donlan raced 40 metres and was flattened by a high looking tackle from Mansson.

Referee Ganson had little hesitation in sending the influential Kiwi from the field in the 52nd minute.

Kendrick converted the resultant penalty before a superb midfield break from home loose forward Paul Harris was supported by Phil Cantillon for the former Wigan and Keighley hooker to cross by the posts for 6 points.

Leigh refused to give in and two spells of pressure on the Widnes line reaped tries for Anthony Murray and the debutant Ian Lewis, tying the game at 16 - 16.

The Centurions then edged in front on 76 minutes when Kendrick potted a field goal. However, Widnes regained possession from the restart, and drove towards the Leigh 20 metre line.

Widnes substitute scrum-half Mark Hewitt spotted Arkwright misplaced on the left and launched a high kick to the corner. The Leigh winger fumbled the ball and Briers pounced for the clincher.

Leigh can take heart from a committed display while Widnes can look forward to a money spinning quarter-final with Leeds Rhinos.


Game Stars

Leigh:

Whittle = non stop gritty performance from the prop
Murray = his enthusiasm and spark gave Leigh direction from dummy half

Widnes:

Hewitt = the former club captain marshalled the team well after his introduction in the second half.
Mann = the big man still showed his class with some punishing running and defence.

Attendance: 4054

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