2003 Season Reports: CHORLEY 31 LEIGH 22

6th April

Chorley stun Leigh

CHORLEY LYNX 31 LEIGH CENTURIONS 22
By Dave Parkinson

Chorley confirmed their growing status with a sparkling display against a poor Leigh side this afternoon. After coming within 7 minutes of an upset victory at The Willows last weekend, the Centurions, already qualified for the next round of the Arriva Trains Cup, turned in their worst performance of the season.

The Lynx quickly got in the Centurion faces and an early penalty from Mark McCully gave the home side an advantage. Leigh lacked ideas in attack while defence at times appeared far more hesitant than in recent games. Chorley took advantage when a smart break up the middle of the field was carried forward by Mike Briggs and finished off by Martin Gambles - the first of a hat-trick by the former Wigan and Gateshead halfback. Again McCully was accurate with the boot before Leigh replied through an unconverted try by Adam Bristow. Chorley continued to have the better of things but McCully missed with a penalty and the sides went in at the interval.

Early in the second half Neil Turley scored a fine converted try and the Centurions looked set to kick on but a wild pass inside their own 30' was intercepted and Gambles scurried away for his second try. Lee Sanderson again thought he'd rescued the game when a fine stepping run finished approach play by Paul Rowley but soft defence was to be the Centurions downfall. Former Widnes hooker Mike Briggs grabbed a decisive try that was followed five minutes later by Mark McCully as the visitors defensive line again hesitated after knocking on a kick through.

Four minutes later and trailing 22-16, Dale Cardoza lashed out at former Leigh player Safraz Patel after offloading the ball. Patel fell to the ground and following a short consultation with the touchjudge, Cardoza was sent off. Chorley immediately made use of the extra man. Rowley and Bristow missed tackles on McCully and he was then allowed to offload for the supporting Gambles to grab his hat-trick try.

Trailing 28-16, the Centurions rallied slightly and Patrick Weisner touched down Sanderson's grubber kick for Turley to convert superbly from the touchline. Leigh couldn't push on however with a John Braddish drop goal virtually guaranteeing victory for the Lynx.

A further penalty from home man-of-the-match McCully in injury time completed the score and a disappointing day for the Centurions.

In the wake of the defeat, Paul Terzis admitted that Chorley were the better side. "We are very disappointed with that performance. Chorley showed more passion than us and their planning worked to perfection. We were well below par and have to acknowledge that as coaching staff and players we let the supporters and ourselves down today."

Man-of-the-Match - So few Leigh players found any form today, however club captain David Bradbury gave the Centurions best go-forward. Honorary mention must also be made of Paul Norman who gave a good account of himself in his first game for 12 months.

Tries: Bristow, Turley, Sanderson, Weisner.
Goals: Turley 3/4.

Team: Turley, Andrews, Munro, Cardoza, Watts; Wesiner, Sanderson; Norman, Rowley, Henare, Richardson, Bristow, Swann; Nickle, Hadcroft, Rivett, Bradbury.