Widnes Vikings 34 Leigh Centurions 20
By Dave Parkinson
Widnes Vikings won a ten try thriller at the Halton Stadium thanks to on-loan Leigh lad Andy Bracek. The former Leigh Miners player who signed for Widnes from Warrington got through a tackle three minutes from time to sew up a tense and exciting game after an under strength Centurions had given much fancied Widnes a severe fright.
With Damien Couturier, Robert Roberts, Adam Hughes, Dana Wilson and James Taylor all unavailable, Rob Smyth was set to make his second debut for the club but an injury in the final warm up saw his place go to Academy prospect Adam Rudd.
Another youngster on debut was former Vikings stand-off Martin Ainscough who impressed in a friendly against Blackpool last month.
It was Ainscough who drew first blood for Leigh after just four minutes when he beat all comers to a finely judged kick forward. Aaron Heremaia tagged on the extras and was on target again four minutes later when former Salford hooker John Clough showed fine awareness and no little strength to push his way over the line from close range.
At 12-0 the Vikings were rattled and Leigh looked comfortable until Dennis Moran spiralled a kick skyward. Rudd and Mick Nanyn contested the ball for Bob Beswick to feed Gavin Dodd at the corner for an unconverted try after 18 minutes.
Leigh recovered their composure and still looked set to close out the half with Heremaia bossing things in the middle ably supported by Clough and the hard working Tim Jonkers.
Anthony Stewart intercepted a wayward pass and raced 70 metres before being hauled down by former Leigh favourite Scott Grix, then Miles Greenwood lost possession when reaching for the try line.
Widnes sparkled into life after 32 minutes when Dennis Moran surged through from an offload before chipping over the head of Leroy Rivett. He then dived theatrically when the Leigh winger stood his ground. Chasing back, Heremaia dived on the loose ball before a cynical challenge came in from Vikings captain Mark Smith.
After a three minute stoppage, Heremaia was carried from the field and Smith placed on report. While the Centurions were readjusting, Widnes grabbed a second try. It came from deep as Grix linked with Damien Blanch who roared down the touchline before kicking for open space and Dodd collected for his second. Nanyn’s conversion made it 12-10 to Leigh and the Centurions were relieved to hear the half time siren minutes later.
Leigh regrouped and began the second half well, forcing a mistake from Widnes. Clinically, the Centurions turned this into points as John Hill, Sam Butterworth and Danny Speakman all combined for Leroy Rivett to go in at the corner. Ainscough missed the difficult conversion attempt and Widnes came right back into the contest when a variety of offloads created space and Toa Kohe-Love burst over from close range for Nanyn to level matters.
The Vikings then added a controversial try after 57 minutes. On the last tackle a hopeful punt in the air was spilled by Dave Alstead and appeared to be fumbled by Andy Kain before the scrum-half touched down. Surprisingly Stephen Clarke, the Australain match official waved play-on and allowed the try to stand.
Leigh were reeling at the decision and Tommy Grundy was soon placed on report for an aggressive tackle. Smith took full advantage with a try from dummy half moments later as he skipped and weaved past three defenders to the line. Nanyn made it 28-16 with the boot but this brought a spirited response from the visitors.
Eleven minutes from the end, Leigh forced good field position and quick hands gave Rudd the opportunity to dive in at the corner. By this time Heremaia had returned but he was unable to convert from the touchline. At 28-20, the game was still in the balance before that try from Bracek and Nanyn’s fifth conversion made it 34-20.
Leigh had one final chance of points when Heremaia handed off two tacklers and sped into the hole. Greenwood supported but a flying tackle saved a try and the ball was spilled on the next tackle before the final whistle sounded.
Unfortunately, the Centurions missed out on a deserved bonus point but football manager Darren Shaw remained positive.
He said, “I was real happy with it. Obviously there was a lot of effort and a lot of character shown. We showed some real good touches early in the game. There are far more positives than negatives.”
WIDNES:
Scott Grix, Damien Blanch, Toa Kohe-Love, Mick Nanyn, Gavin Dodd; Dennis Moran, Andy Kain; Mick Cassidy, Mark Smith, Andy Bracek, Paul Noone, Oliver Wilkes, Bob Beswick; Ian Webster, Lee Doran, Jordan James, Ben Harrison.
Tries: Dodd (18, 36), Kohe-Love (54), Kain (57), Smith (62), Bracek (77)
Goals: Nanyn 5/6.
On Report – Mark Smith
LEIGH:
Miles Greenwood, Adam Rudd, Anthony Stewart, Dave Alstead, Leroy Rivett; Martin Ainscough, Aaron Heremaia; Warren Stevens, John Clough, John Hill, Mailangi Styles, Tommy Grundy, Tim Jonkers; Sam Butterworth, Danny Speakman, John Cookson, Chris Hill.
Tries: Ainscough (4), Clough (8), Rivett (43), Rudd (69).
Goals: Heremaia 2/3, Ainscough 0/1.
On Report – Tommy Grundy
Attendance: 4,133
Referee: Mr S Clarke (Australia)
Penalties: 14-9
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