2002 Season Reports: LEIGH CENTURIONS 46 FEATHERSTONE ROVERS 10

Rovers Return is no contest - 4/8/02
Leigh Centurions 46 Featherstone Rovers 10
By Dave Parkinson.

Midfield magic and a large dose of teamwork saw Leigh chalk up a convincing 46-10 victory over 4th placed Featherstone. Rarely have the Centurions shown such polish this season. In total they scored 8 tries (four in each half) by eight different players. This despite playing 20 minutes of the game with only 12 men after Neil Turley and Jon Roper were sin-binned.

The Centurions signaled their intentions with an early try for Paul Rowley after Adam Bristow broke in midfield. While Rovers seemed obsessed with trying to keep tabs on new signing Bobbie Goulding, they left space across the field and John Duffy was the main beneficiary. His jinking runs created all kinds of problems throughout and it was from one such piece of play that Chris Irwin finished strongly.

Moments later scrum-half Goulding was at the helm. His well timed pass hit Paul Anderson with perfection and the big centre crashed over for his 8th try of the season. Turley added his third conversion before falling foul of referee Ronnie Laughton. Featherstone were building a promising attack before Leigh were penalised for offside. Rovers hooker Gavin Swinson tapped the ball quickly and was impeded by Turley. Again Swinson tapped the ball only to be brought down by the offside Turley who was promptly sent to the sin-bin.

In his absence, Rovers finally got on the score sheet. Danny Lowe crossed for a Jamie Rooney improved score. Leigh came back at their visitors and when Featherstone conceded a penalty, Jon Roper stepped up to stretch the Centurion lead to 20-6.

By the time Turley returned Leigh were buzzing, but suffered a setback when Roper was harshly sin binned for standing his ground following a dominant tackle. Moments later Featherstone were also reduced to 12 men thanks to another sin binning from Mr Laughton. In the face of some questionable decisions, Leigh showed restraint and continued to dominate the game with good play from Duffy behind the Centurions outstanding pack.

Vila Matautia and Dave Whittle had already softened Rovers up and with Simon Knox continuing the forward barrage it was Goulding's turn to create with a deft kick forward. The ball was fumbled on the line and Goulding nipped through to claim a debut try and increase the lead of the home side to an impressive 24-6.

The second half began in a similar fashion to how the first finished and Leigh were soon over again when a set play involving Dave Whittle worked a treat and the prop burrowed in.

Within minutes Leigh scored their 6th try. Sparkling handling within the visitors quarter had Featherstone on the hop and they were relieved to give away a penalty. From the possession, a flat ball to Simon Baldwin saw the second row touchdown for Turley to convert brilliantly from the touchline.

Featherstone had no answer to Leigh's power and their defence evaporated for a seventh time thanks to the boot of Goulding and quick thinking of Jon Roper. On the last tackle the former Salford man hoisted a cross field kick and Roper raced through after hesitancy saw Rovers knock-on. Turley added his 6th goal and with 20 minutes remaining, Leigh looked capable of a big score.

To be fair Rovers rallied and came up with their second try thanks to the never-say-die running of Danny Seal but Leigh hit back straight from the kick-off and recovered the ball.

The Centurions set about working the position and didn't have to wait long for their final try. Andy Isherwood was the scorer, twisting and accelerating away from his marker to confirm a good win.

Such was the Centurions dominance they could even afford to withdraw Bobbie Goulding for the last 15 minutes and still run out comfortable winners.

MOM - Although debutant Bobbie Goulding was handed the sponsors award, there were several names that cropped up. Dave Whittle was outstanding upfront, Paul Rowley fed off quick play-the-balls all day and both Oli Marns and Neil Turley provided the crowd with exciting moments. For the second week in succession however, John Duffy provided the perfect foil to his half-back partner.

Leigh: Turley (6G), Irwin (1T), Anderson (1T), Roper (1T 1G), Marns; Duffy, Goulding (1T); Matautia, Rowley (1T), Whittle (1T), Baldwin (1T), Isherwood (1T), Bristow; Ball, Hamilton, McCully, Knox.