NFP RD 23 LEIGH 32 BARROW 26
By Dave Parkinson
Barrow Raiders arrived in Leigh hoping to clinch a tenth victory of the campaign and avenge two previous defeats to the Centurions in 1999.
Despite missing the skills of Tane Manihera, Barrow made a good opening and were rewarded when Magorian cut through after just four minutes.
Leigh were soon on level terms when Paul Anderson proved unstoppable near the line.
As mistakes crept into the home sides game Barrow upped the tempo and were rewarded when Hughes chipped through and collected Stuart Donlan's fumble for a second Raiders score in the 20th minute.
Leigh needed to reply quickly and were twice denied as first Phil Kendrick lost the ball in the tackle after a 25 metre break and Anderson was pulled back for a forward pass.
Outstanding home forward Tim Street showed a good turn of speed to power through a gap and carried fullback Salmon over the line in a 20 metre scoring run. Wingfield converted to tie the game.
Leigh were content to run the half down but Barrow had other ideas, forcing numerous errors before entertaining the crowd with some excellent support play that eventually saw Holt regather his own chip forward for a 37th minute touch down. The diminutive halfback also converted to give his team an 18-12 lead at half-time.
Barrow punished a sloppy start to the second half by the Centurions and stretched their lead when Luxon offloaded to Salmon who had too much speed for Donlan. Holt was unable to convert but the Raiders had a ten point cushion.
Leigh then took the game to their Cumbrian visitors. Darting runs by Donlan and Mick Higham set the position and the ball was swept wide for Jamie Kennedy to send David Ingram over for a Wingfield improved score in the 46th minute.
From their next possession Leigh almost scored but James Arkwright's inside pass went to ground and, when Ken Kerr knocked on with the line at his mercy in the 50th minute, even some of Leighs most optimistic fans must have feared it wasn't going to be the Centurion's day.
Leigh kept chipping away and were within two points when Wingfield added a 53rd minute penalty for a high tackle on substitute Whittle. Two minutes later Leigh's comeback was completed when Donlan supported a
midfield break from the sponsors man-of-the-match, Paul Anderson.
Barrow piled forward with punishing running from Rhodes and prop Blanchard, testing the Leigh defence before a set move from a scrum gave Atkinson an unconverted score to level the game.
Having worked hard to get back into the game Leigh weren't about to go down lightly and substitute Cruickshank typified the home teams spirit with a forceful charge to the line.
Wingfield added his 6th and final goal but Barrow attacked with venom only to be denied by Leigh's scrambling defence.
Leigh Centurions: 32
Threequarters: Donlan, Wingfield, Ingram, Kerr, Arkwright.
Halfbacks: Bowker, Patel
Forwards: Street, Higham, Pucill, Anderson, Kendrick, Kennedy
Substitutes: Cruickshank, Hadcroft, Whittle, Norman
Tries: (Min in Brackets)
Anderson (13), Street (24), Ingram (46), Donlan (55), Cruickshank (64).
Goals: Wingfield 6 (from 6)
Defeated
Barrow Raiders: 26
Threequarters: Salmon, Hutton, Atkinson, Magorian, Marshall
Halfbacks: Kavanagh, Holt
Forwards: Whiteley, Clarke, Barchard, Rhodes, Luxon, Hughes
Substitutes: Warwick, Gardner, Jackson, Spencely
Tries: (Min in Brackets)
Magorian (5), Hughes (20), Holt (37), Salmon (42), Atkinson (60)
Goals: Holt 3 (from 5)
Half-time: Barrow led 18-12.
Attendance: 1720 @ Hilton Park, Leigh.
Gamestars:
Leigh: Street / Anderson - Prop / Second-Row Forward
Barrow: Holt / Rhodes - Scrum-half / Second-Row Forward
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