2008 Season Reports: HALIFAX 34 LEIGH 22

HALIFAX 34
LEIGH CENTURIONS 22
By Dave Parkinson

Leigh Centurions launched a spirited fightback from 20-0 down to claw within two points of their hosts before Leigh-born Sean Penkywicz ensured victory for Halifax in the televised game at the Shay last Thursday.

Last season the Centurions crashed 68-22 at the same venue and there were fears of a similar hiding in the opening eight minutes as Fax registered tries from Paul Smith and former Leigh fullback Miles Greenwood.

In fact, Halifax went on the attack from the very first whistle, claiming a short kick-off ad just 31 seconds later James Haley had put Smith over after good work by Shad Royston. Graham Holroyd converted and although Dave McConnell saw a try over-ruled by the video referee, Leigh were caught out on their left. Haley again raced clear only for Ian Mort to put in a valiant stop. Haley was able to offload and Ben Black kicked behind the retreating defence for Greenwood to race on and score.

The breaks were stacking up against Leigh with Royston, Greenwood and Black making good inroads while Dave Alstead was forced to concede a drop out from Holroyd’s attacking kick. When Toa Kohe-Love tackled Royston around the neck, Holroyd stepped up to stretch Halifax advantage to 14 points.

Two quick penalties put Leigh into the attacking zone but Ian Watson and Tom Woodcock failed to combine and the chance was lost. On 23 minutes it was again Royston who carved open the Leigh defence but a knock on was ruled as Penkywicz hurled a pass for Greenwood amidst calls for Halifax players being impeded.

Fax continued to dominate and a great tackle put Steve Maden into touch before Alstead, Lee Doran and McConnell all went. Smith and Penkywicz scared the Leigh defence again before Watson appeared for a timely intercept. He was close to the touchline however and Haley put him out of play. From the resulting scrum, Fax moved into range before slick play from Holroyd brought Greenwood on the loop for his second try of the game.

Trailing 20-0 the Centurions came back at Fax and scored in the last minute of the first half. Lee Marsh almost put Doran over before McConnell ran from dummy half to claim a try that was improved by Marsh.

Early in the second half Greenwood turned defence into attack but Adam Higson showed good speed to chase back and tackle the fullback. Aaron Smith then came up with a good run but a low pass from Marsh was spilled by Kohe-Love. Lovely hands saw Haley cross for the hosts fourth try after 52 minutes but Leigh began their fightback.

A move involving the midfield trio of McConnell, Watson and Marsh saw Mort cross the Halifax line but the video referee ruled the Leigh fullback was held up. An Alstead surge and Higson charge brought further pressure on the Halifax defence which was compounded by a thunderous John Cookson run.

Although Leigh didn’t add to their score from this possession, they increased intensity on Halifax and when Penkywicz fired a pass between Jon Goddard and Dave Larder the two collided and the ball popped up for Doran to stroll over. Marsh converted and the Centurions claimed back to back tries when two minutes later Kohe-Love and Mort broke the defence at speed and McConnell had enough pace to evade the cover and cross under the posts. Marsh quickly converted and it was 24-18 to Fax. Watson then got the ball to Doran but he lost possession as he tried to ground a try in the 67th minute

While mistakes were aplenty in the wet conditions, Leigh did not let their heads drop and Watson went close to scoring against his old team before Marsh barrelled over the top of Dave Wrench to ground from close range. Watson then pushed his conversion attempt wide with ten minutes remaining and this gave Halifax the boost they needed.

Three minutes later a three pass play saw Haley break and just as Higson reached him, the winger was able to kick into the centre. Smith appeared to have it covered for the Centurions but the ball squirmed from his grasp and Penkywicz touched down. Holroyd then added a further six points from a conversion and two penalties as Leigh saw Watson and Mike Morrison put on report.

Although the evergreen Holroyd was given one more opportunity in the final minute after Watson’s restart proved far too big, his kick dropped short guaranteeing a losing bonus point that kept the Centurions in fourth spot.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Lee Doran must be one of the best forwards in the National Leagues – he was everywhere – running the ball wide out, up the middle and even found himself at dummy half a few times. A real display of perpetual motion.

MOAN OF THE MATCH: Leigh’s start and dodgy left hand side. Fax made so many breaks and could have been 30 points clear in the opening twenty minutes alone! Thankfully the introduction of Anthony Stewart and Adam Higson plugged these holes and Leigh were able to hit back.

MAGIC MOMENT: McConnell’s second try. This just showed that Leigh can put some good rugby together if they get the ball out to Toa Kohe-Love. The Kiwi centre terrorised Halifax all through the second half when the ball was finally reaching him and the break he and Ian Mort conjured up was rugby poetry.

Halifax: Greenwood, Paterson, Goddard, Varkulis, Haley; Holroyd, Black; Wrench, Coyle, Larder, Flanagan, P. Smith, Royston; Penkywicz, Southern, Wilson, Watene.

Tries: Smith, Greenwood 2, Haley, Penkywicz
Goals: Holroyd 7/9.

Leigh: Mort, Alstead, Woodcock, Kohe-Love, Maden; Marsh, Watson; Morrison, McConnell, Price, Taylor, Doran, A. Smith; Higson, Stewart, Hill, Cookson.

Tries: McConnell 2, Doran, Marsh.
Goals: Marsh 3/3, Watson 0/1

Penalties: 7-11
Referee: Mr G Hewer
Attendance: 2,854