2006 Season Reports: ROCHDALE HORNETS 28 LEIGH CENTURIONS 29

Rochdale Hornets 28 Leigh Centurions 29
By Dave Parkinson

Leigh Centurions erased the memory of last weekend’s painful home defeat against Whitehaven with narrow victory at Spotland, after a late drop goal from Aaron Heremaia.

Given the circumstances, this Centurion triumph was full of character as they offset the loss of Tere Glassie, Ricky Bibey, Danny Speakman and Michael Govin to take control in the first half against a team with more than a dash of Leigh flavouring.

With Govin absent Rob Roberts answered the SOS call of his coach moving from loose forward to stand-off with great effect. Such was Roberts influence on the game that he laid on two tries and kicked three goals before further injuries saw him move back into the pack.

Leigh made a superb opening with fleet-footed Scott Grix bouncing away from two tacklers before weaving over within 95 seconds of the start for a converted try.

Rochdale Hornets then saw a Lee Patterson try disallowed five minutes later for offside and the Centurions Paul Prescott had a four pointer ruled out after 10 minutes due to a forward pass.

At this stage the Centurions were full of confidence with Heremaia revelling in the middle with Roberts. With 13 minutes gone former Leigh player Richard Varkulis broke the line and it took a brave tackle from Grix to halt the centre. Hornets scored the next try when Dave McConnell combined with Lee Doran for Chris Giles to score and another former Centurion, Mark McCully, added the first of six goals.

It was then Leigh that took control of the half with Roberts firmly stamping his authority. With 22 minutes played he ran at the defence, using good strength to hold off two defenders, before releasing a pass for the supporting Danny Halliwell to score.

Again the Hornets threatened through Varkulis on the half-hour with Grix stopping the centre with a well timed tackle. Two minutes later the Centurions scored the try of the game. Roberts collected a low kick near his line and ran 30 metres before finding the supporting Heremaia who outstripped Patterson to race the next 50 metres unchallenged.

In recent games the Centurions defence has created opportunities and it was this defence that bought the next try as Halliwell followed up his own grubber to trap Patterson in goal. He then lost possession in the tackle and Halliwell grounded the loose ball for four points.

Unfortunately, Leigh lost both Dean Gaskell and Paul Prescott to injury at the tail end of the first half and this reshuffle seemed to affect the Centurions start to the second half.

Within two minutes of the restart, Rochdale were back in the game when Patterson intercepted Heremaia’s pass and went the length of the field. Moments later Doran scored to bring the Hornets within four points of Leigh after Andrew Gorski’s run.

With all the momentum, Rochdale moved forward and when Dana Wilson was penalised for a high shot after 49 minutes, McCully took the two points on offer.

Leigh then extended their lead three minutes later when youngster Gareth Pemberton slipped a pass to Lee Greenwood and the wing ace touched down for his 22nd try of the season. Heremaia goaled from the touchline but Hornets roared back with Patterson going close from Matt Firth’s kick.

Bryn Hargreaves was a solid performer for Leigh but when he was harshly penalised for an incorrect play-the-ball, McCully kicked the penalty and it was 22-28.

Hornets sub Sam Butterworth then broke in midfield against the tiring Leigh defence and although Grix pulled another try-saving tackle from the bag he was yellow carded by referee Ronnie Laughton.

This signalled an all-out attack from the hosts but Leigh’s defence chased well with Munro being injured whilst stopping Gorski. Eventually this tackling told on Leigh when Butterworth kicked forward, collected a ricochet and touched down for McCully to draw the teams level.

Cue a nervy last 8 minutes. Butterworth missed with a field goal attempt and even the experienced Paul Anderson knocked on at dummy half. From this possession Leigh set up their winning play; Heremaia striking his third drop goal of the campaign to nose the Centurions back in front.

In the dying seconds Hornets had a final opportunity when Patterson ran down the wing but Chris Hill covered and forced him into touch with a big tackle.

MATCH STATS:
 
Rochdale Hornets

1. Chris Giles
2. Mark McCully
3. Richard Varkulis
4. Paul Anderson
5. Lee Patterson
6. Phil Hasty
7. Matt Firth
8. Ryan Benjafield
9. Dave McConnell
10. Matt Sturm
11. Andrew Gorski
12. Andy Bailey
13. Lee Doran
Subs:
14. Sam Butterworth
15. Paul Norman
16. Craig Robinson
17. Rob Ball

Tries: Chris Giles (17), Lee Patterson (42), Lee Doran (44), Sam Butterworth (72)
Goals: Mark McCully 6/6.

Leigh Centurions
1. Scott Grix
2. Dean Gaskell
3. Danny Halliwell
4. Gareth Pemberton
5. Lee Greenwood
6. Rob Roberts
7. Aaron Heremaia
8. Paul Prescott
9. Paul Rowley
10. Dana Wilson
11. James Taylor
12. Chris Hill
13. Bryn Hargreaves
Subs:
14. Gary Sykes
15. Neil Roden
16. Damien Munro
17. Warren Stevens

Tries: Scott Grix (2), Danny Halliwell (22, 38), Aaron Heremaia (32), Lee Greenwood (52)
Goals: Rob Roberts 3/4, Heremaia 1/1 + 1 DG.
Sinbinned: Scott Grix (68 Holding Down)

Referee: Ronnie Laughton
Penalty Count: 13-10
Attendance: 1,040