LEIGH 16
FEATHERSTONE 12
By Dave Parkinson
A 67th minute converted try from home loose-forward Andy Fairclough was the difference between the Rovers and Centurions at Hilton Park.
Rovers, fresh from their 28-12 midweek success against Widnes, found a rugged Leigh side resolute in defence and failed to capitalise on their possession in the Centurions half.
Leigh made a whirlwind start and caught Rovers cold in the fourth minute when the Liku-Ingram combination (so successful against Rochdale) sprized the defence open and the latter crossed for his 7th touchdown of the season.
Featherstone recovered from this early blow and their pack, superbly directed by Richard Chapman started to mount a challenge. It was Chapman who troubled the scoreboard next with a 14th minute penalty following a long run from exciting winger Jamie Stokes.
Increased pressure from Rovers finally saw the Leigh defence crack and Stokes squeezed in at the corner for an unconverted try.
In 1998, that try may have signalled a points avalanche for the visitors, but Leigh displayed confidence and self-belief to hit back after 31 minutes when Craig Dean's lobbed pass found Hadcroft, who slipped the cover from 10 metres and made the score 8-6 to the home team.
Two minutes later Hadcroft was helped from the field after a bone-shaking tackle from Okesene.
Leigh's slender half-time advantage was wiped out early in the second half when Chapman added a second penalty.
Fairclough's try gave the Centurions a 16-8 lead before former Adelaide winger Simmonds crashed over five minutes from time for Rovers and ensured a tense last few minutes for both Rovers and Leigh fans. Leigh however kept their nerve and tackled well to claim the win.
GAMESTARS:
Leigh Centurions: Andy Fairclough was again a tower of strength at the scrumbase and confirmed his growing reputation with the matchwinning try.
Featherstone Rovers: Former Super League stars Okesene and Tuuta were prominent in both attack
and defence and their clash with the home front row was worth the admission fee alone.
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