St Helens 40 Leigh Centurions 10
By Dave Parkinson
Plucky Leigh Centurions made Super League champions St Helens work for every point in Sean Long’s testimonial game at Knowsely Road.
The Saints eventually scored an eight tries to two victory but Leigh can take much from the fact that after trailing 30-0 to some trademark play at halftime, they rallied to draw the second half 10-10.
The game had to be put back eight days ago due to storm damage and it was clear that the Centurions wanted to take their frustrations out on the Saints from the first whistle.
Leigh made a good start, pinning St Helens deep in their own half with an enthusiastic defensive line before putting pressure on their hosts. An early kick had Saints in all kinds of trouble as Anthony Stewart collected before linking with Damien Couturier who in turn flicked the ball out in a tackle for David Alstead to cross at the corner after just two minutes.
Leigh’s celebrations were soon cut short when the touchdown was over-ruled by a touchjudge who felt that Stewart was just in front of the kicker – a marginal decision at best. Leigh maintained pressure on the Saints line and an attacking kick from Paul Rowley and subsequent chase through from Couturier forced a drop out.
Saints weathered the early storm and replied with tries from Lee Gilmour (two), Ade Gardner and Willie Talau to take an unassailable 20-0 lead during a blistering spell that saw man of the day Sean Long link superbly with Keiron Cunningham, Jon Wilkin, Paul Wellens and Leon Pryce. Talau then turned from hero to villain, inexplicably punching Stewart in full view of referee Peter Bentham who produced a red card with little hesitation.
Despite being a man down, St Helens scored straight away when Wilkin sped through the smallest of holes from Cunningham’s distribution. At the other end Leigh responded through strong running from Adam Hughes, Mailangi Styles and Warren Stevens with only last ditch tackling preventing first Sam Butterworth, then Miles Greenwood from scoring against his former club.
Mike Bennett added a sixth try for St Helens and Leigh star Hughes was helped from the field with a serious looking leg injury.
Early in the second half Paul Wellens cut inside for a try but had to be carried off after grounding the ball. James Roby then sliced through the middle to go forty metres and a long half looked in prospect for Leigh.
That try however signalled the start of a Leigh rally. Former St Helens and Leigh favourite Tommy Martyn appeared from the bench to lift the crowd but his ambitious pass for Francis Meli was snapped up by David Alstead who left the Saints defence for dead with a thrilling 70 metre dash down the right wing. Couturier converted superbly from the sidelines.
Leigh continued to press for an opening and Greenwood almost got himself clear with a brave run. Sprightly work down the left then saw Chris Hill held short and Danny Speakman did everything possible to try and ground Rowley’s attacking kick in the corner.
Eventually the Centurions tenacity paid off. Seven minutes from the end, Rowley, Aaron Heremaia and John Braddish combined for Sam Butterworth to jink over from twenty metres and Couturier saw his goal attempt rattle off the Knowsley Road upright.
Darren Shaw said of the game::
"There was a spell in the first half when we turned the ball over a fair bit and we got punished for it, overall I think we copped a few injuries. We lost three outside backs out there today at some stage and a lot of players had to put their hand up and play out of position, which they did and you have got to admire them for it.
"In the second half we showed some really good touches, especially with the ball in hand. We started asking a few more questions of them at times and we came up with a couple of tries. I think the second half ended 10-10. We showed promise and we showed a bit of belief.
"We knew that we couldn’t sit back here. We had to go at them and we did so. It was unfortunate that we lost that early try that was disallowed. That set us back a bit, but then I think the rot started to set in we started turning the ball over and they played off the back of that.
"Obviously they have some great individuals. Leon Pryce got between us a couple of times. He’s got long arms and was able to get them free and they got a bit of momentum and scored four or five quick tries. I cannot fault the enthusiasm or commitment. It was fantastic.
"I was happy with it. I was never concerned coming here. It was always a good test and again overall I think that we showed up okay. We’ve plenty to work on but in the second half the things we are doing in training were actually starting to come out on the field. I’m sure we can build on that and once we get the week-to-week games then our execution will improve a lot more and I’m sure performances will improve.
"There were guys out there that I didn’t want to play for that long but I had too because of the injuries but they dug deep and I can’t fault them.
"There’s quite a few walking wounded, Damien Couturier had to have stitches under his chin and Aaron Heremaia has a dead leg. We’ll just take it easy on them this week. We have next weekend off so it will be a week of rehab and we’ll get ourselves ready for Skolars.
"Adam Hughes is off to hospital now so we’ll wait to hear back about the extent of his injuries so fingers crossed it will be nothing long term but we’ll wait and see. I think it was more his tibia below his knee. He’s gone for X-rays and I’m sure I’ll get a call soon on that one."
St Helens
1 Paul Wellens
2 Ade Gardner
3 Matt Gidley
4 Willie Talau
5 Francis Meli
6 Leon Pryce
7 Sean Long
8 Nick Fozzard
9 Keiron Cunningham
10 Jason Cayless
11 Lee Gilmour
12 Mike Bennett
13 Jon Wilkin
Subs (All Used)
14 James Roby
15 Tommy Martyn
16 Chris Joynt
17 Paul Newlove
James Graham
Bryn Hargreaves
Tries: Gilmour (13, 21), Gardner (17), Talau (23), Wilkin (27), Bennett (40), Wellens (43), Roby (48).
Goals: Long 4/8.
Leigh Centurions
1 Anthony Stewart
2 David Alstead
3 Damien Couturier
4 Adam Hughes
5 Leroy Rivett
6 John Braddish
7 Aaron Heremaia
8 Warren Stevens
9 Paul Rowley
10 Chris Hill
11 Mailangi Styles
12 Tommy Grundy
13 Robert Roberts
Subs (All Used)
14 Sam Butterworth
15 Miles Greenwood
16 John Cookson
17 Dana Wilson
John Clough
James Taylor
Danny Speakman
Tries: Alstead (65), Butterworth (73).
Goals: Couturier 1/2.
Referee: Mr Peter Bentham (Warrington)
Penalties: 10-7
GLDO: 1-1
Half-time: 30-0
Attendance: 5,644
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