NFP RD 20 WHITEHAVEN WARRIORS 22 LEIGH CENTURIONS 16
By Dave Parkinson
A determined Warriors side brought an abrupt halt to Leigh's four game winning run with a last gasp victory before a vocal crowd at The Recreation Ground.
Despite missing scrum-half and organiser Leroy Joe due to suspension and skipper Dave Seeds with injury, Whitehaven turned in one of their best displays of the season with Lee Kiddie an influential figure at stand-off and Craig Chambers an eager worker in the pack.
Both teams started apprehensively with Wingfield and Hetherington swapping missed penalty attempts before Kiddie broke the deadlock with an 18th minute touch down, slicing through a static defence from 15 metres. Hetherington converted via the upright.
Leigh replied 6 minutes later when good approach play from Alan Hadcroft and Keiron Purtill saw Safraz Patel dive under the posts for a converted try.
The Centurions pinned the home side deep in their own half with a good spell of pressure before Haven hooker Aaron Lester was sin-binned for a late tackle after Purtill had kicked the ball.
Leigh made their advantage count two minutes later when a planned move from the scrumbase led to scrum-half Purtill darting over in the corner. The Cumbrians were quick to reply when a towering crossfield bomb from Kiddie forced a scrum and former Workington halfback Wayne Kitchen scampered
over. Hetherington again hit the post but his attempt bounced away.
Just before the break Leigh almost imploded when Jame Arkwright fielded an innocuous kick and threw a terrible pass across his own goal face that was fumbled by the usually safe Donlan. As Whitehaven went to
pack down the half-time whistle went and the game was locked at 10-10.
Whitehaven then took the lead in the 55th minute with a penalty before Anthony Murray was sent off for an illegal challenge on kicker Wesley Wilson.
Despite having to alter their pattern with injuries to Nick Jenkins and Patel (and the sending off), Leigh almost took the lead but Dave Ingram failed to collect a pass from Purtill following a storming midfield break by Street.
Ingram bombed a second chance when bundled into touch before it was third time lucky for the Leigh centre in the 68th minute, taking the scoring pass from the in form Purtill.
A moment earlier Whitehaven were again reduced to 12 men with Lewthwaite sin-binned for holding down.
The Warriors piled forward, determined to avenge their narrow loss to the Centurions earlier in the season. Wilson reaped the rewards, snatching the ball from Burrows to cross in the corner for a 79th minute try. Hetherington missed the kick and the game looked destined for a draw.
Whitehaven had other ideas and were awarded a scrum on half-way after a fumbled Leigh penalty. Kiddie spotted all the defenders close to the scrum and launched a deep kick for his backline to chase.
Mark Burrows looked to be in control of the situation but the winger could only look on in horror as he parried the deceiving bounce into the grateful arms of Lewthwaite, making up for his earlier indiscretion with the matchwinning try. Hetherington converted from the touchline to send the Haven fans home delighted.
Whitehaven Warriors: 22
Threequarters: Wilson, Frazer, K. Hetherington, Lynch, Lewthwaite,
Halfbacks: Kiddie, Kitchin
Forwards: Cox, Lester, Fatialofa, Chambers, Morton, Bone
Subs: Purdham, Walsh, G. Hetherington, Suafoa
Tries: (Mins in brackets)
Kiddie (18), Kitchin (38), Wilson (79), Lewthwaite (80).
Goals: G Hetherington 3 (from 5)
Defeated
Leigh Centurions: 16
Threequarters: Donlan, Wingfield, Hadcroft, Ingram, Arkwright
Halfbacks: Patel, Purtill
Forwards: Street, Jenkins, Whittle, Kendrick, Cruickshank, Kennedy
Subs: Murray, Pucill, Burrows, Liku
Tries: (Mins in brackets)
Patel (24), Purtill (34), Ingram (68)
Goals: Wingfield 2 (from 5)
Halftime: 10-10
Attendance: 953 @ The Recreation Ground, Whitehaven.
Gamestars:
Whitehaven: Kiddie / Chambers.
Leigh: Purtill / Street.
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