NFP RD 22 FEATHERSTONE 18 LEIGH 24
By Dave Parkinson
Back in March, Leigh ground out an important 16-12 home victory over Rovers, a result that contributed to the downfall of then Featherstone coach, Kevin Hobbs.
Four months on this was a key game for both sides, Leigh needed a win to maintain second spot while Featherstone were looking to force their way into the top five after going eight matches unbeaten with impressive wins over Oldham, Barrow and Widnes in the sequence. Leigh named a side that was a little short on preparation due to a flu virus in the camp.
Rovers largest home crowd of the season witnessed an exciting and full blooded game of Rugby League in which both scrum-halves were instrumental. An apprehensive opening by both teams set the tone before Rovers gained the upper hand. Okesene and Amone went close on two occasions with Alan Hadcroft and Keiron Purtill making try saving tackles. Home centre Martin Law was also sent clear by Handley only to be brought back for a forward pass.
Despite their early pressure Featherstone could only register a penalty from the boot of Rooney.
Leigh almost had the first try of the game in the 19th minute when a bone-shaking tackle from Purtill dislodged the ball deep in the Featherstone half and Radney Bowker combined with Ken Kerr to send Paul Wingfield in at the corner. As the Leigh fans celebrated the referee consulted his touch judge and disallowed the score.
Ian Millward then produced his ace card and brought Mick Higham from the bench into the hooking role. This had an almost immediate effect as the young hooker created space and sent the supporting Stuart Donlan over for a converted try in the 24th minute.
Rooney added another penalty before the tricky halfback carved through the defence with a 15 metre arcing run to put Rovers in front.
The Centurions hit back just before the break when Bowker supported Heath Cruckshank's wide running to cross by the posts. Wingfield's conversion gave Leigh an unlikely 12-8 lead.
Missing the influences of Okesene and Amone at the start of the second half, Featherstone were penned in their own territory. Leigh took full advantage in the opening 10 minutes, Purtill was denied a try on the intervention of the touch judge before Bowker grabbed his second try from a Paul Anderson break. The former Saint was also heavily involved in the next scoring move, Wingfield adding the finish to a Kerr offload. The winger converted both tries.
Featherstone replied quickly with Heptinstall darting over from a play the ball after a good spell of pressure.
On the hour Leigh had a third try disallowed before the reintroduction of Okesene brought Rovers back into contention. The Centurions held Rovers at bay for 18 consecutive tackles but spirited Featherstone were unable to break the rearguard, despite the best efforts of hardworking skipper, Slater.
As the game entered the last 10 minutes, exciting winger Jamie Stokes broke away, only to be chased down by Donlan who then completed an equally important tackle on Chapman. With the visitors defence still stretched, Rooney showed vision and pace, chipping through for an opportunist try.
Surprisingly the half-back hooked his conversion attempt wide.
Leigh missed a field goal opportunity and had another charged down, but held on for arguably their most important victory of the season.
Featherstone Rovers: 18
Threequarters: Bramald, Stokes, Law, Coventry, Horsley
Half-backs: Handley, Rooney
Forwards: Okesene, Chapman, Clarkson, Evans, Amone, Slater
Substitutes: Padgett, Lowe, Heptinstall, Dickens
Tries (Mins in brackets)
Rooney (35, 72), Heptinstall (53)
Goals: Rooney 3 (from 5)
were Defeated by
Leigh Centurions: 24
Threequarters: Donlan, Wingfield, Hadcroft, Kerr, Ingram
Half-backs: Bowker, Purtill
Forwards: Street, Arkwright, Whittle, Anderson, Cruickshank, Kennedy
Substitutes: Higham, Pucill, Patel, Norman
Tries: (Mins in brackets)
Donlan (24), Bowker (39, 44), Wingfield (50)
Goals: Wingfield 4 (from 4)
Half-time: 12-8 to Leigh.
Attendance: 2145 @ Lionheart Stadium (aka Post Office Road), Featherstone.
Gamestars:
Featherstone: Rooney / Slater - Scrum-half / Loose forward
Leigh: Purtill / Cruickshank - Scrum-half / Second-row forward
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