1999 Season Reports: June: LEIGH CENTURIONS 24 DEWSBURY RAMS 10

NFP Rd 19 LEIGH CENTURIONS 24 DEWSBURY RAMS 10

By Dave Parkinson

Close games seem to be commonplace at Hilton Park these days, a stark contrast to 1998 when Dewsbury inflicted a record 18-54 home defeat on the Centurions.

Leigh came into the game on the back of a three game winning streak but were hit early in the week by injury, 15 try captain Andy Fairclough was ruled out for 8 weeks with a dislocated shoulder. Another couple of knocks saw Ian Millward start the game with three of his substitutes, much to the disgust of Dewsbury's Neil Kelly.

Dewsbury Rams were looking to regain a little momentum after their title challenge faltered following recent losses to Widnes and Rochdale.

Both sides made a determined start but it was Leigh who gained the early advantage in the eleventh minute when Paul Wingfield added his first goal of the afternoon after the visitors were caught offside.

Two minutes later a clearing kick from Keiron Purtill was fumbled by Dewsbury winger Wood giving Leigh possession from the scrum. Two tackles later, a clever kick from Purtill unlocked the Rams defence and James Arkwright sped through to touch down.

Mistakes by the home side gifted Dewsbury a lot of possession inside Leigh territory but halfbacks Eaton and Agar were unable to capitalise as punishing defence by that man Purtill prevented two scores.

The Rams best chance of the half came when Flynn powered through and chipped over the advancing Tim Street, only for the ball to defeat everyone and roll dead in the 27th minute.

Dewsbury centre Brendan O'Meara was sinbinned for disputing an incident earlier in the move. but Alan Hadcroft evened things up when he received a yellow card three minutes later for an over enthusiastic tackle on Rams skipper Williams.

A further loss of composure by Dewsbury saw loose forward Wood sinbinned just before the break and Wingfield increased the home lead to 10-0 with two penalties.

The Rams made a great start to the second half when two penalties in five minutes brought them within six points of Leigh. Paul Wingfield missed a drop goal attempt before the exciting Godfrey raced forty metres after good work by Williams.

Barry Eaton converted from the touchline to tie the scores as Dewsbury seemed to take a strangle hold on the game while Richard Agar tormented Arkwright then Wingfield with 40-20 kicks.

Leigh's scrambling defence held firm before a 62nd minute penalty by Wingfield edged the Centurions ahead. As the half wore on, Dewsbury seemed to fade slightly despite the best efforts of Flynn and Medley.

It was Anthony Murray, so often a pivotal figure for Leigh this season, who turned the game with a crucial 75th minute score after good approach play by Purtill and Street.

A 35 metre break by Godfrey kept Leigh on their toes as Donlan was forced to make a try saving cover tackle. Leigh were not to be denied and finished strongly when a charge by Pucill set the position for Phil Kendrick to score and present Wingfield with his 6th and final goal of the day.

Leigh Centurions - 24
Tries (Minutes in Brackets)
Arkwright (13), Murray (75), Kendrick (81)

Goals: Wingfield 6 (from7)

Defeated

Dewsbury Rams - 10
Tries (Minutes in Brackets)
Godfrey (56)
Goals: Eaton 3 (from 3)

Half time: 10 - 0 to Leigh
Attendance : 2049

Game Stars
Leigh:
Purtill / Street (Scrum half / Prop forward)

Dewsbury:
Agar / Flynn ( Stand off / Second Row forward)