LEIGH CENTURIONS 24
WHITEHAVEN WARRIORS 20
By Dave Parkinson.
A try from Alan Hadcroft ten minutes from time helped Leigh claim their second league victory of the campaign over a spirited Whitehaven.
The Centurions made a superb start to the game, crossing in the first minute following a marauding Liku break. Murray fed Keiron Purtill from dummy-half for the former Wigan back to scoot over in the corner.
Elder brother Dean Purtill (making a welcome return to first team action after over 12 months away due to work commitments) converted from the touchline.
During the opening quarter, Whitehaven rarely threatened and fell further behind when a loose pass was collected and Keiron Purtill found Scott Hilton who supplied the finish from 30 metres.
After enduring an awful spell which could have resulted in three more Leigh tries, the Warriors showed determination and hooker Wayne Kitchen slipped a tackle to score a try he converted.
The Centurions were not to be outdone. Powerful loose forward Andy Fairclough made two strong runs before a basketball pass from Liku was joyfully accepted by Murray. Dean Purtill missed the conversion but Leigh took a 16-6 lead to the break.
Whitehaven heeded the words of coach Tamati and laid siege to the Leigh line in the opening moments of the second half, forcing a drop-out.
A poor clearance from Phil Kendrick allowed the Warriors field position and skipper David Seeds scored a converted try to haul the Cumbrians back into the game.
Hilton Park was stunned into silence moments later when Leroy Joe split the defence and sent Seeds over for his second. Again the try was converted and the Warriors briefly enjoyed a two point lead.
A quick counter attack followed and a fluent move ended with Keiron Purtill scoring his second try of the game.
The scores were tied again when Leigh were penalised and Kitchen added a difficult penalty.
Everyone in the ground waited for drop-goal attempts to start but the Centurions had other ideas. Safraz Patel kicked downfield and this was fielded by the usually safe hands of Graeme Lewthwaite. In turn Lewthwaite was met by a crunching tackle from Keiron Purtill. The impact dislodged the ball, allowing Hadcroft to dive over for the clincher.
LEIGH:
Tries: K Purtill 2, Hilton, Murray, Hadcroft
Goals: D Purtill 2.
WHITEHAVEN
Tries: Seeds 2, Kitchin.
Goals: Kitchen 4.
Game Stars
Leigh:
Keiron Purtill - combined bone crunching defence with alert attack that was rewarded with two tries.
Whitehaven:
Leroy Joe - The classy Kiwi was never fully contained and worked hard for his team in attack and defence (including a memorable "big hit" on Tim Street).
Attendance: 1124 @ Hilton Park.
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