2007 Season Reports: ROCHDALE HORNETS 4 LEIGH CENTURIONS 42

ROCHDALE HORNETS 4
LEIGH CENTURIONS 42
By Dave Parkinson.

Leigh Centurions moved back up to fourth as their unpredictable season took another twist at Spotland where the Centurions recovered from a slow opening and dogged hosts to eventually score eight tries.

It proved a winning return for four ex-Hornets in the Leigh ranks as Chris Hough, Sam Butterworth, Dave McConnell and debutant Chris Giles returned to Spotland to help their new employers to the spoils.

Highlights included a commanding performance from McConnell termed “instrumental” by Darren Shaw, a hat-trick of tries and a goal from Danny Halliwell and two tries and four goals from French centre Damien Couturier who was making his first appearance for a month. Skipper Aaron Heremaia also made an unexpected comeback and struck up a good understanding with on-loan halfback partner Hough who in turn helped lay on a try.

There was little evidence of the eventual glut of points on offer as Rochdale fought for every loose ball and metre forward.

Early in the game there were precious few scoring chances with Hornets Todd O’Brien being held up over the line while Sebastian Martins spilled the ball close and John Cookson was halted just short by enthusiastic tackling at the other end. When the Centurions did spread play out, former Rochdale Hornet David Alstead was then put into touch by Ex-Centurion Eric Andrews at the last minute.

Eventually a scoring opportunity presented itself when former Leigh Miners Ranger Tommy Goulden slipped a pass out and Andrew Gorski dived over in the 21st minute.

Leigh’s reply came quickly after Hough fired a peach of a ball to Tommy Grundy who surged 40 metres forward. The Centurions marched downfield and Anthony Stewart cleverly looped the ball out to Danny Halliwell who got on the outside of his marker and scored with his first touch of the ball on 24 minutes. Unfortunately Couturier was unable to convert but he did get play moving for Leigh’s second try, somehow smuggling the ball out of a tackle for Hough to split the defence, size up the opportunity, and send McConnell over for his first try since returning to the club.

Both teams traded chances with the Hornets just bossing things but it remained 8-4 until the break.

The opening five minutes of the new half belonged to Hornets as Phil Hasty (twice) and Tommy Goulden cut the defence open only to see tries go begging through good defence or uncertain handling.

With 47 minutes gone, Leroy Rivett took a scrappy pass from Aaron Heremaia. With little appearing on, Rivett dabbed the ball forward. As Rochdale defenders stood watching, the winger dived to collect and touched down for a real opportunists 7th try of the season. Couturier finally put daylight between the sides with his first goal. But Hornets went straight back on the attack.

With fifty minutes played Gary Hulse put an ambitious pass to the left only for Halliwell to snap up possession and race 70 metres for a try at the other end of the field. Couturier then joined the increasing list of try-scorers on the hour in support of Sam Butterworth who caught the defence in two minds. When McConnell fired a clever pass along the line to Dana Wilson for the big prop to score; the result was sealed.

James Taylor was the next Centurion to reach the line but harshly saw a try ruled out despite appearing to bounce the ball after touching down.

With the Hornets spirits dampened, Leigh grabbed two further tries. Firstly Halliwell completed his hat-trick after 72 minutes when Aaron Heremaia chipped over the top of the defence, Stewart regathered and Rivett flicked a brilliant pass out one-handed. Couturier added his fourth goal before adding the piece de resistance three minutes from the end. With one final attack Scott Law pushed a tired pass to the right and Couturier collected t run fifty metres for his ninth of the season. The Frenchman handed the conversion attempt to Halliwell and he goaled superbly from the touchline to complete scoring.

LEIGH:

Chris Giles, Leroy Rivett, Damien Couturier, Tommy Grundy, David Alstead; Chris Hough, Aaron Heremaia; Dana Wilson, Dave McConnell, Seb Martins, Adam Thomas, James Taylor, Anthony Stewart; Sam Butterworth, Danny Halliwell, John Cookson, Mailangi Styles.

Tries: Halliwell 3 (24, 50, 72), McConnell (29), Rivett (47), Couturier 2 (60, 77), Wilson (67).
Goals: Couturier 4/7, Halliwell 1/1.

ROCHDALE:

Brad Attwood, Eric Andrews, Mark McCully, Mark Blanchard, Chris Campbell; Phil Hasty, Gary Hulse; Rob Ball, Wayne Corcoran, Ryan Benjafield, Andrew Gorski, Scott Law, Tommy Goulden; Todd O’Brien, Byron Smith, Craig Robinson, Jode Sheriffe.

Try: Gorski (21).
Goals: McCully 0/1.

Referee: Mr G Hewer (Whitehaven)
Penalties: 12-6 (to Rochdale)
Halftime: 4-8 (to Leigh)
Attendance: 650