2007 Season Reports: LEIGH 38 SHEFFIELD 22

Leigh Centurions 38

Sheffield Eagles 22
Dave Parkinson at Hilton Park.

For a while, in the emotional cauldron of Hilton Park, Sheffield Eagles threatened to be the biggest party-poopers of all time as Centurions hooker Paul Rowley brought the curtain down on an eventful playing career.

After the game Rowley admitted the occasion had got to him.
“I’ve had a few sleepless nights this week thinking about the game.” He said.
“I’m glad that the boys rallied to get the win. We’ve now won three in a row and the win was the most important thing today.”

Football manager Darren Shaw said, “We got the result, which was probably good. The performance left a lot to be desired. We somehow got back into the game with two quick tries before half-time. We started the game strongly I thought but when we failed to come up with anything we started pushing the pass and next minute we were behind on the scoreboard. I think the biggest positive was that we did send him (Paul) off on a winning note. Everyone is very happy with that. We got the points but have loads of work to do about the performance.”

Despite Leigh opening the score after just four minutes through centre Damien Couturier, Sheffield hit right back with expansive play down the left after Brendan Lindsay and Richard Newlove gave a running chance to Greg Hurst. The Eagles winger then chipped infield and Newlove won the race to touch down with Johnny Woodcock adding the goal. Minutes later Newlove was helped from the field with an injury.

The Centurions went back on attack but Rob Roberts saw his pass intercepted by James Ford and last season’s top try scorer for Sheffield opened his account in emphatic style, romping 85 metres for the score.

The pendulum swung further in favour of the visitors after 27 minutes when Craig Cook dummied his way over and when Woodcock sliced through in midfield it took a good tackle from Miles Greenwood to stop his opposite number. Unfortunately, Greenwood blotted his copybook with interference and referee Jamie Leahy was left with no other option than to show the yellow card. Dominic Brambani tagged on a penalty and Sheffield led by 16-4.

Leigh’s fortunes then took an upturn when Chris Hill reached out to ground the ball after good work from Mailangi Styles. From the Centurions next possession, Hill picked up a leg injury and was carried from the field after a four minute stoppage.

With seconds remaining in the half Aaron Heremaia struck a 40-20 and the scrum-half was at the centre of things again with the last pass that saw Adam Hughes go in for his third try of the season. Couturier converted and the game was locked 16-16 at the break.

Early in the second half Sheffield repelled an attack and their line remained intact until the 47th minute when Sam Butterworth and outstanding Roberts combined before Martin Ainscough burned off the chase from 30 metres to go under the posts.

Seven minutes later Heremaia scored the try of the game. Taking possession twenty metres out, he bounced off two defenders before surging forward and two more steps took him past an attempted cover tackle and beyond Woodcock’s grasp.

After 62 minutes, Woodcock scored at the other end after an almighty mix-up between Greenwood and David Alstead saw the ball fall to Ford and the fullback was up in support. At 28-22 the game was evenly poised before James Taylor was seemingly knocked unconscious after 65 minutes. Following a lengthy stoppage that saw the second-row carried off, the Centurions kept their nerve to claim two tries whilst Eagles debutant Brad Hepi spilled the ball close to the line at the other end.

First Danny Halliwell forced his way over in the right corner before Rowley brought the house down with the final pass that saw Heremaia score his second after both Hurst and Hepi were sin-binned near the end.

Eagles skipper Jack Howieson felt his side gave a good account of themselves.

“The emotion around the game didn’t really affect us and we played well in the first half. Unfortunately mistakes told in the end.”

Gamestar: Despite throwing an intercept in the first half, Rob Roberts again stood tall with a big effort in attack and defence.

Gamebreaker: As strange as it sounds – the injury to James Taylor. Leigh were able to compose themselves and two late tries sealed victory.

Leigh:
1. Miles Greenwood
2. Leroy Rivett
3. Damien Couturier
4. Danny Halliwell
5. David Alstead
6. Martin Ainscough
7. Aaron Heremaia
8. Warren Stevens
9. Paul Rowley
10. Dana Wilson
11. James Taylor
12. Tommy Grundy
13. Rob Roberts
SUBS (ALL USED)
14. Sam Butterworth
15. Adam Hughes
16. Mailangi Styles
17. Chris Hill

Tries: Couturier (4), Hill (37), Hughes (40), Ainscough (47), Heremaia (54, 80), Halliwell (70).
Goals: Couturier 5/7.
Sin-bin: Greenwood (29 – Interference)

Sheffield:
1. Johnny Woodcock
2. James Ford
3. Brad Hepi
4. Richard Newlove
5. Greg Hurst
6. Brendon Lindsay
7. Dominic Brambani
8. Jack Howieson
9. Craig Cook
10. Ryan Hepworth
11. Tommy Trayler
12. Ged Corcoran
13. Grant Edwards
SUBS (ALL USED)
14. John Crawford
15. Jon Aston
16. Adam Hayes
17. Mitch Stringer

Tries: Newlove (12), Ford (17), Cook (27), Woodcock (62)
Goals: Woodcock 1/3, Brambani 2/2.
Sin-bin: Hurst (77 – Dissent), Hepi (79 – Use of forearm)

Referee: Mr Jamie Leahy
Penalties: 15-7
Attendance: 1,810
Half-time Score: 16-16.

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men-of-the-Match
Leigh: Rob Roberts, Sheffield: Craig Cook.

Scoring Sequence:
4-0; 4-6; 4-10; 4-14; 4-16; 10-16; 16-16; 22-16; 28-16; 28-22; 32-22; 38-22.