2004 Season Reports: LEIGH 66 SWINTON 6

LEIGH CENTURIONS 66
SWINTON LIONS 6
Dave Parkinson at The Coliseum

“Paul Rowley was outstanding - John Duffy and Ian Knott too.”

That brief appraisal from Leigh coach Darren Abram summed up the reason why the Centurions ran up another impressive victory in the Arriva Trains Cup. Swinton Lions became the latest team to come away with little to show for their efforts against a more organised and professional Leigh. The Centurions scored 12 tries in all with Duffy and Knott both claiming hat-tricks.

Abram was quick to praise his players after the game.

“Paul Rowley breaks people up from dummy-half all over the place, John Duffy supports well and Ian Knott is coming into his own now, gaining confidence and showing why we signed him.”

Abram was once again pleased with his attack, despite admitting his team made a few mistakes. “We rattled up the points again and only let six in which is the pleasing result. Teams have got to look up and defend all over the field against us and that’s what I want.”

Opposing coach Paul Kidd praised the Centurions but suggested his Swinton side still have a lot of work to do before their next game with Whitehaven.

“There are eight players out of our seventeen who can come out of this with any credit. I’m not prepared to name the eight until I’ve had a look at the video, but they will find out on Tuesday. You can’t possibly expect to compete with a great team like Leigh who are clear favourites to go into Super League with eight from seventeen that want it.”

Rowley started the rout with a typical scoot from acting halfback in the 6th minute after Dave Alstead was held short. Neil Turley added the first of nine successful conversions in the testing conditions to set Leigh on their way.

A Duffy short pass to Dan Potter brought about a second score for the Centurions moments after Knott had been held over the line, and by the 20th minute Leigh were well out of sight when Chris Percival intercepted and ran 85 metres for a thrilling try.

With the Lions fading fast, Leigh took full advantage to post two more tries in the next eight minutes. Firstly Duffy scored from Rowley’s lightening break, then slight of hand from the stand-off sent Potter through and his inside pass put Knott over.

Between 29 and 35 minutes Swinton kept Leigh at bay with Danny Heaton showing some impressive work both with and without the ball. Wayne English also broke the line only to be halted by a good tackle.

Four minutes from the interval however, Knott pounced on a Swinton error and Turley converted to stretch the home lead to 34 points.

The second half started poorly for the Lions with Leigh posting two further scores in the first six minutes. Duffy scored the first on 43 minutes in support of Knott and Rowley before turning provider for Knott’s hat-trick moments later.

Craig Wingfield and Phil Cushion went close for Swinton but enthusiastic home defence kept them out before Chris Percival brought up the half-century for Leigh. On 55 minutes Duffy showed good strength, crossing amid heavy traffic for his hat-trick score.

Swinton opened their account on the hour with a fine try from Heaton but it proved scant consolation as two opportunist tries in the final ten minutes from Damian Munro; one created by a superb 25 metre cut out pass from Tommy Martyn, then converted superbly from the touchline during a heavy hail shower by Turley; stretched the Leigh victory margin to 60 points.

GAMEBREAKER: Chris Percival’s 20th minute interception that made the score 16-0 in Leigh’s favour. There was no way back for Swinton.

GAMESTAR: Paul Rowley – Dominant performance around the ruck by the former England international.

CENTURIONS
1 Dave Alstead
2 Neil Turley
3 Danny Halliwell
4 Chris Percival
5 Damian Munro
6 John Duffy
7 Tommy Martyn
8 Simon Knox
9 Paul Rowley
10 Heath Cruckshank
11 Dave Larder
12 Dan Potter
13 Ian Knott
Subs (all used)
14 Mick Coates
15 Paul Norman
16 Dave McConnell
17 Mike Callan

Tries: Rowley (6), Potter (14), Percival (20, 51), Duffy (25, 43, 55), Knott (28, 36, 46), Munro (71, 75).
Goals: Turley 9/12
Sinbinned –
Sent-off –

LIONS
1 Wayne English
2 Dave Llewellyn
3 Mark Bolton
4 Chris Maye
5 Chris Irwin
6 Ian Hodson
7 Warren Ayres
8 Tau Liku
9 Rob Barraclough
10 Rob Whittaker
11 Phil Cushion
12 Danny Heaton
13 Kris Smith
Subs (all used)
14 Neil Hayden
15 Peter Cannon
16 Chris Brett
17 Craig Wingfield

Tries: Heaton (59)
Goals: Wingfield 1/1.
Sinbinned –
Sent-off –

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Leigh: Paul Rowley
Swinton: Danny Heaton

Penalty count: 12-9
Half-time: 34-0
Referee: Mr G Hewer
Attendance: 1,475
Scoring Sequence: 6-0, 10-0, 16-0, 22-0, 28-0, 34-0 (HT) 40-0, 46-0, 50-0, 56-0, 56-6, 62-6, 66-6