2006 Season Reports: Pre-season Friendly: Paul Rowley Testimonial: LEIGH 37 HALIFAX 6

LEIGH CENTURIONS 37
HALIFAX 6
Dave Parkinson from The Coliseum.

Two content coaches, a beaming smile, and a scorcher of a try were the main talking points of this game as Leigh and Halifax went head to head in Paul Rowley's testimonial game. The long serving rake has now amassed 165 appearances for Leigh in two spells and also played 170 times for Halifax between 1994 and 2000.

He thanked both sets of fans and paid tribute to the support staff and spirit emerging from the Centurions dressing room ahead of the season. He said "I want to thank everyone for their attendance tonight. At Leigh we have a superb coaching staff and superb team spirit. We are all hopefully looking forward to a good season."

The signs are certainly good for Leigh following this defeat of an under-strength Halifax team who despite the loss, can take a number of positives from the game.

The visitors made the better start and crossed for the opening try after 5 minutes when Simeon Hoyle went over from dummy half for newcomer Dominic Brambani to goal from wide out.

The young scrum half was pick of the 'Fax side, full of movement and determination in his first appearance since signing from Castleford. There were also spirited roles played by Joe Hirst, Dave Larder and substitute Luke Simeunovich while Scott Law also worked hard.

"There were a lot of things that went against us today and in preparation to the game" conceded Halifax coach Anthony Farrell eluding to injuries within the camp and the late withdrawal of Joel Penny, "but other than that I think it's been a good run out for the boys. Paul Rowley got what he wanted out of it and we were happy to help. There were loads of young players out there. People may look at this as a big negative but I don't. I think we've got a lot to build on. It’s a loss and we’ll move on. I now can't wait for the season to start and for us to get a few extra bodies back on board."

The Centurions replied after 11 minutes when Rowley's pass saw in-form Tommy Grundy power over. Julian O'Neill converted and it was his vision that gave Carl Forber room to move. The scrum-half broke, then passed for Adam Hughes and he scored from 20 metres swerving past Attwod.

Halifax responded brightly but their best scoring chance saw Rowley intercept after Simeunovich broke the line and his intended pass for stand-off Mark Barlow was picked off. Two tackles later a powerful surge down the right from Dean Gaskell created room, Scott Grix followed up and Grundy stretched away for his second try in a move that covered 60 metres.

O'Neill converted but limped from the field moments later. Halifax began to work their way back into contention but the home line stood firm.

It remained 18-6 at the interval and Leigh scored just four minutes in to the new half after Rowley and Grix broke from deep. The hooker linked with Forber and Hughes for Misili Manu to hare over in the corner.

Forber converted and was at the hub of things ten minutes later when Rowley scampered in for a converted try.

As Halifax camped in the Leigh quarter, the Centurions again fronted up, withstanding 4 sets of possession before a spectacular intercept from Manu saw the flier blaze the length of the field for a glorious try. Forber's boot made it 36-6 and it was fitting that Rowley completed the score two minutes from the end with a well-timed drop-goal that put a big smile on his face.

Leigh assistant coach Heath Cruckshank said, “The boys came up with a good defensive effort to keep them out 6-0 for eighty minutes. We scored some good tries and we know there are a few things we've still got to work on but for an overall view it wasn't too bad at all."

GAMESTAR: Paul Rowley – On his big night, Paul was a stand-out, never bettered out of dummy half, he showed real hunger which can only bode well for the season ahead.

GAME BREAKER: Manu’s first try in the second half. Coming so soon after the halftime break it pushed Leigh comfortably ahead and the young Halifax side were not allowed to reply.

MATCHFACTS

LEIGH:
1 Scott Grix
2 Misili Manu
3 Adam Hughes
4 Tommy Grundy
5 Dean Gaskell
6 Julian O’Neill
7 Carl Forber
8 Chris Hill
9 Paul Rowley
10 John Cookson
11 James Taylor
12 Tere Glassie
13 Rob Roberts
SUBS (ALL USED)
14 Gary Sykes
15 Liam Coleman
16 Matty Bottom
17 Gareth Pemberton

Tries: Grundy (11, 25), Hughes (18), Manu (44, 63), Rowley (55).
Goals: O’Neill 3/3, Forber 3/3.

HALIFAX:
1 Brad Attwood
2 Nick Johnson
3 Anthony Blackwood
4 Andy Kirk
5 James Haley
6 Mark Barlow
7 Dominic Brambani
8 Johnny Simpson
9 Simeon Hoyle
10 Jason Boults
11 Dave Larder
12 Joe Hirst
13 Adam Hayes
SUBS (ALL USED)
14 Lee St Hilaire
15 Luke Simeunovich
16 Ryan McDonald
17 Sam Barlow
Jode Sheriffe
Andy Hobson
Scott Law

Try: Hoyle (5).
Goal: Brambani 1/1.

Referee: Mr Karl Kirkpatrick (Warrington)
Penalties: 17-9
Half-time: 18-6
GLDO: 1-1
Attendance: 1000 (Approx)

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match:
Leigh: Paul Rowley
Halifax: Dominic Brambani

Scoring Sequence:
0-6; 6-6; 12-6; 18-6; 24-6; 30-6; 36-6; 37-6.