Match Reports about Leigh Centurions since 1998

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Friday 8 January 2010

1999 Season Reports: May: LEIGH CENTURIONS 27 HULL KINGSTON ROVERS 20

LEIGH 27 HULL KR 20

By Dave Parkinson

Leigh Centurions joined Dewsbury at the summit of the Premiership after inflicting Hull KR's second consecutive away defeat.

Missing the talents of PNG international Stanley Gene, Rovers paired former Leigh scrum-half Jason Donohue with the highly rated Chris Kitching.

Rovers made a slow start and fell behind in the fourth minute when a quick play-the-ball created space and Tau Liku sent Alan Hadcroft over in the corner. Paul Wingfield converted superbly from the touchline.

With ten minutes gone Leigh forced a scrum on half-way, but a misunderstanding saw former Kiwi international Whetu Taewa swoop on a dropped ball and put impressive full back Richard Smith over for a Kevin Gray converted try.

Taewa was at the heart of another break moments later, sending Jon Wray clear, before a pinpoint cover tackle by Stuart Donlan forced an error by the winger. The signs were ominous for Leigh as Rovers gained momentum. Donohue created Rovers second with a grubber kick and Taewa pounced for a 20th minute try.

Five minutes later, the Centurions were on level terms when livewire hooker Anthony Murray capitalised from a quick play and Ingram stepped two defenders from close range.

Rovers then hit Leigh's hopes with a two-try burst before halftime to open a 20-10 lead over their hosts.

Taewa grabbed his second try from a set scrum move and some great broken field running before a suspect play-the-ball from Donohue saw Paul Fletcher storm over.

A 40-20 kick virtually from the start of the second half from Mike Dixon put Leigh under pressure but the Centurions responded and worked their way back.

Seven minutes later, Leigh scored a fortunate try when Kieron Purtill's kick rebounded off a defender putting the chasers onside. Cruckshank charged through and took the bouncing ball from Taewa's grasp. Wingfield converted and was again on target to put Leigh in front after Fairclough increased his season try tally to 13 from the scrum base.

Hull KR had chances to equalise but Gray saw two penalties sail wide. The visitors were further hampered when influential hooker Dixon was helped from the field with an injury.

The final quarter became a test of nerves with Rovers seemingly unable to change their game pattern despite the promptings of their halfbacks and some forceful running from Ian Hughes and Alex Thompson.

It was Leigh that kept things together with Wingfield a key figure late in the game. The wingman added two further penalties and a field-goal to take the score to 27-20.

In an eventful last few minutes Donohue was sent off for instigating a fight involving the outstanding Tim Street who was duly despatched to the sin-bin for retaliation. This failed to take the gloss from a second half that belonged to Leigh as much as the first had to Rovers.

Leigh Centurions 27
Tries: (Minutes in brackets)
Hadcroft (4), Ingram (25), Cruickshank (47), Fairclough (55)
Goals: Wingfield 5 (from 7)
Field Goal: Wingfield 1.

Defeated

Hull Kingston Rovers 20
Tries: (Minutes in brackets)
Smith (10), Taewa (20, 36), Fletcher (40)
Goals: Gray 2 (from 6)

Attendance: 2419 (at Hilton Park, Leigh)

Starmen:
Leigh: Street / Purtill - Prop / Scrum-half
Hull KR: Donohue / Taewa - Scrum-half / Centre

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