2006 Season Reports: HULL KR 30 LEIGH CENTURIONS 6

Hull Kingston Rovers 30
Leigh Centurions 6
By Dave Parkinson.

A bumper crowd approaching 4,700 witnessed the emergence of Hull KR as genuine title challengers following a comfortable 6-try win over jaded Leigh Centurions.

The Centurions made the trip to East Yorkshire on the back of a superb 53-4 win over Widnes but their chances were hit within the first minute after Tommy Grundy was forced off with a shoulder injury. Already carrying injuries to both halfbacks and Dean Gaskell, Leigh’s resources were to be tested to the max at the end of the first quarter.

Rovers piled forward and had the first real scoring opportunity after 3 minutes when Tommy Gallagher chased through his own kick but the ball went dead. Leigh countered and had a try chalked off two minutes later when Aaron Heremaia found Greenwood but he was adjudged to have stepped in touch.

Rovers wasted gilt edged chances for Leroy Rivett and Jon Goddard in the first ten minutes and when Damien Couturier ducked under a tackle on half way only to be brought down close in by a brave tackle from Dean Gaskell, Leigh’s defence was clearly shaken.

The first try came after 12 minutes and it was no surprise when the break came down Rovers left as James Webster cleverly opened the defence for Michael Smith. He found Rivett in support and Goddard was on hand to complete a good handling move. Couturier converted but was off target after Rovers increased their lead in the 18th minute through Rivett.

In the build-up to that try Centurions James Taylor, until then a real tackling machine in the midfield, was knocked out following an accidental clash with Rivett. A lengthy stoppage followed with Taylor being carried from the field.

Leigh were reliant on the strong running of Misili Manu to clear their lines but Rovers grabbed a crucial third try after 23 minutes. French international Couturier showed great awareness to poke the ball in behind the defence, collect and hand on to Jon Steel for a converted try.

The Centurions had their moments when Tere Glassie’s powerful surge should have brought more but Heremaia could not hang on. Gaskells running from dummy half also disrupted Rovers pattern and Dana Wilson was just held up.

Rovers, with a strong wind advantage and eager forwards roared up-field and Webster booted a drop goal to open a 17-0 advantage. Leigh’s only other opportunity for points came after 35 minutes when Heremaia kicked into the corner but Ben Cockayne collected and returned the ball strongly.

Smith then created havoc down Rovers left and only a misplaced pass prevented Goddard from claiming another try before half-time.

Leigh threatened early in the second half and grabbed reward when Julian O’Neill sent ever-improving Chris Hill in for a converted try after only a minute. Cockayne then saw a try disallowed for a forward pass and Leigh ran strongly through Manu before Danny Halliwell was helped from the field with a bad cut. Within a minute the Centurions suffered a fourth blow when Paul Rowley was also forced into the bloodbin.

Despite this, Leigh moved forward with purpose on the back of strong drives from Richard Moore and Warren Stevens and Rovers defence was called into action. The Centurions forced a drop out, but the well placed restart from impressive Scott Murrell bounced into touch and the opportunity was lost.

Again Rovers were allowed space and Cockayne knocked on after good work by Webster and Goddard. A crunching Makali Aizue tackle forced an error from Moore and the pressure finally paid off when Murrell dummied his way over the line.

On the hour Ben Fisher dropped a certain try following Iain Morrison’s piercing run and Leigh rarely saw possession again after a timely attempted intercept from Lee Greenwood denied the rampant Robins another score.

Three consecutive sets on the Leigh line took their toll and Fisher darted through for Rovers 5th try after 69 minutes. Aizue scattered Leigh’s defence from the restart, running 50 metres with only Gaskell standing in his way. The full back stood his ground but was powerless to stop a second drop goal from Webster.

Murrell then booted a big 40-20 and former Swinton loose forward Phil Joseph was allowed to score the softest of tries against a tired team.

Leigh finally regained possession with three and a half minutes remaining but Rovers held them out to complete their comprehensive win.

Leigh MOM: Dean Gaskell

Hull KR
1 Ben Cockayne
2 Leroy Rivett
3 Damien Couturier
4 Jon Goddard
5 Jon Steel
6 Scott Murrell
7 James Webster
8 Francis Stephenson
9 Ben Fisher
10 David Tangata-Toa
11 Iain Morrison
12 Michael Smith
13 Tommy Gallagher
SUBS
14 Makali Aizue
15 Gareth Price
16 Jason Netherton
17 Phil Joseph

Tries: Goddard (12), Rivett (18), Steel (23), Murrell (56), Fisher (69), Joseph (75)
Goals: Couturier 2/6, Webster 2 Dg

Leigh:
1 Dean Gaskell
2 Misili Manu
3 Adam Hughes
4 Danny Halliwell
5 Lee Greenwood
6 Julian O’Neill
7 Aaron Heremaia
8 Ricky Bibey
9 Paul Rowley
10 Warren Stevens
11 James Taylor
12 Tere Glassie
13 Tommy Grundy
SUBS
14 Carl Forber
15 Chris Hill
16 Dana Wilson
17 Richard Moore

Try: Hill (41)
Goals: O’Neill 1/1

Attendance: 4,637
Referee: Ian Smith (Oldham)
Penalties: 10-4
Halftime: 17-0

Progressive Score:
6-0; 10-0; 16-0; 17-0; 17-6; 21-6; 25-6; 26-6; 30-6