2007 Season Reports: Play-off defeat: WHITEHAVEN 19 LEIGH 6

WHITEHAVEN 19 LEIGH CENTURIONS 6
By Dave Parkinson

The curtain finally came down on the Centurions 2007 campaign as Whitehaven knocked Leigh out of the play-offs following a real arm-wrestle at the Recreation Ground.

Early exchanges saw both teams try and get their respective kicking games going and it was Haven that had early success when one grubber kick from Carl Rudd was touched down behind the line by Chris Hough.

From the drop-out Whitehaven moved close to the line and a long pass from Graeme Mattinson fed the predatory Craig Calvert at the corner. Rudd missed the conversion and Leigh saw a chance go begging at the other end of the field when Aaron Heremaia looped a disappointing pass wide that fell behind Anthony Stewart.

With Leigh on the back foot, Miles Greenwood prevented a certain four points with a timely intercept and it was the Centurions time to mount pressure. Dave Alstead made a couple of forceful runs while the boots of Hough and Heremaia kept Whitehaven penned back along with enthusiastic tackling from Dave McConnell, Matt Astley, Adam Rudd, Chris Hill and James Taylor.

When Heremaia saw the ball ripped from his grasp, Leigh mounted their try-scoring attack, building patiently before McConnell lofted a kick. Alstead contested possession with Steve Maden and the ball broke for Hough to follow up.

After consultation with the video referee, the try was awarded and Heremaia slotted over the conversion to ensure a 6-4 lead.

That advantage lasted just five minutes. Hill was penalised for an incorrect play-the-ball and Richard Fletcher tore downfield. Leigh again defended their line manfully until Carl Sice teased a penalty from referee Ian Smith. Rudd levelled matters but Leigh moved up quickly to deny their hosts progress in their next set. By the time Haven reached the end of the set Rudd was given little time to get his kick away.

The kick was innocuous at best but Greenwood failed to take the ball in arms. Instead it was played off feet and the hapless winger could only look on as Sice picked the pieces up, drew Chris Giles and Rudd ran 35 metres unopposed to the line.

Leroy Rivett gamely countered for Leigh with a half break and Whitehaven were again forced to kick long. As time ticked down on the half Alstead was on the end of a high tackle by Rudd and as the red mist descended, Alstead kicked out. Whitehaven received the penalty and seconds from the hooter veteran centre David Seeds touched down to give the hosts an eight point lead.

Sound ball control and patience was the order of the day but Leigh immediately put themselves under pressure with suspect handling. They failed to complete their first three sets of the second half this set the tone, allowing the Cumbrian hosts field position.

In fact, Whitehaven were virtually camped in the Leigh quarter save for a superb 40-20 from Hough. Once again the Centurions failed to take advantage and then spent most of the next ten minutes defending their line. Finally Haven forced an opening when a sweetly worked run-around between Rudd and Fletcher saw the scrum half dart to the corner after 52 minutes.

Rivett was placed on report for a clash with Calvert and Whitehaven continued to control the tempo before a relieving run from Danny Halliwell gave Leigh respite.

Confidence then rose in the Leigh ranks with Hough at the centre of their better moves. The on-loan stand-off broke fifty metres but when McConnell was nearly decapitated by Steve Trindall this new found vigour seemed to ebb away, especially after Giles spilled a pass from Stewart with the line beckoning.

Whitehaven pushed for further points, crucially adding one more to their tally – a 72nd minute drop goal from Rudd.

The visitors play became increasingly desperate at a time when composure was needed and the final chance slipped away from Leigh after 74 minutes when Heremaia chipped forward but the ball fell between Rivett and Halliwell and tamely bounced over the touchline. It meant that Whitehaven were able to close the game in ascendancy and Leigh could only rue their missed chances, lack of poise and mistakes.

Match Stats:

Leigh: Chris Giles, Leroy Rivett, Dave Alstead, Anthony Stewart, Miles Greenwood; Chris Hough, Aaron Heremaia; Matt Astley, Dave McConnell, Dana Wilson, Adam Rudd, Mailangi Styles, James Taylor; Danny Halliwell, Darryl Kay, Chris Hill, Sebastian Martins.

Try: Hough (27)
Goals: Heremaia 1/1
On Report – Rivett (52 – off the ball clash)

Whitehaven: Gary Broadbent, Craig Calvert, David Seeds, Rob Jackson, Steve Maden; Leroy Joe, Carl Rudd; Steve Trindall, Graeme Mattinson, David Fatialofa, Spencer Miller, Richard Fletcher, Scott McAvoy; Carl Sice, Howard Hill, Marc Jackson, Simon Baldwin.

Tries: Calvert (6), Rudd (34, 52), Seeds (40).
Goals: Rudd 1/5 & Dg.
On Report: Trindall (68 – high tackle)

Referee: Ian Smith (Oldham).
Penalties: 7-6.
Attendance: 1,761.