2003 Season Reports: Play-offs: LEIGH CENTURIONS 42 HULL KINGSTON ROVERS 12

28th September
CENTURIONS MARCH INTO GRAND FINAL
LEIGH 42 HULL KR 12
By Dave Parkinson
Leigh Centurions made it to a third Grand Final in four years by virtue of a 42-12 success over Hull Kingston Rovers.

Straight from the kick-off the home side tore into the visitors. Neil Turley started the scoreboard ticking with a second minute penalty and the visitors were shell shocked as tries from Danny Halliwell and Leroy Rivett made the score 12-0 after only 16 minutes. Rovers struggled to contain a rampant outfit for whom Paul Rowley and Adam Bristow were outstanding and a further penalty from Turley made it 14-0.

Rovers then threatened to make a game of it when Paul Mansson produced a moment of brilliance from his box of tricks and scored an individual try. Lynton Stott was unable to add the extras and from the restart an uncompromising hit on substitute Aziue forced the big Papuan international to spill possession. In their next set the Centurions took charge again when Sean Richardson handed onto Turley who looked all set to score before unselfishly handing on to Pat Weisner for the stand-off to add his 10th of the season.

Two minutes later the Centurions were at their spell-binding best as Adam Bristow's cut out pass hit Halliwell and the centre broke clear before changing the direction of attack for Rivett to sprint away for his second touchdown.

Leigh continued to dominate possession, as Rovers wilted under pressure and there was little surprise when David Bradbury powered over seven mints from the interval to top an outstanding first half performance and confirm a 32-4 score line. Rovers mustered one last attack before the break when Farrell raced clear but Sean Richardson showed tremendous character to put him in touch following an exciting chase.

With nothing to lose Rovers were galvanised in the second half and mounted increasing pressure on the Leigh line. An early spell was followed by the sin binning of Rivett after the winger held a Hull player down and was shown the yellow card. Despite being a man down, Leigh had the better of play, with Rovers twice conceding penalties that Turley converted into points.

A high tackle from Rovers on Paul Norman saw the incident placed on report after 56 minutes but the half swung back in Rovers favour as Leigh conceded some rather harsh looking penalties and turned over some cheap ball. With possession heavily in their favour, the visitors finally cracked the home line when Parker scored on the right and a second try followed five minutes later when quick passing released McLarron and the winger scorched over by the flag.

Just before the finish, Leigh got their act together once more when twice in the same set, Rivett made good metres. On the second occasion he sliced through the defence, ran 40 metres before releasing the supporting Damian Munro to the posts for his 31st try of the season. Lee Sanderson completed the scoring with the kick and Leigh set up a 7th winner takes all clash with Salford.