LEIGH CENTURIONS 32
WHITEHAVEN 8
By Dave Parkinson
Whitehaven entered an emotional cauldron hoping to be the biggest party poopers of all time. Eighty minutes later the Cumbrians left the field with their tails between their legs as Hilton Park witnessed a final league match, and a win, in its 61-year history. The victory keeps Leigh on course for a top four finish.
The Centurions were good value for this win and scored five tries to two with Mike Morrison, Lee Doran, Aaron Smith and Dave McConnell prominent in the forwards alongside halfbacks Ian Watson and Dennis Moran, who pushed and cajoled Leigh around the field.
Leigh made the better start and saw the first chance of the game go begging after 4 minutes when Moran worked an overlap but the pass went over the head of Steve Maden. Skipper Jimmy Taylor was then put on report – one of three incidents – a minute later. His clash with Gary Broadbent left the Haven fullback dazed, and although the game was stopped for a couple of moments, Broadbent battled through a further ten minutes before being withdrawn.
Watson then punted the ball downfield with Dave Alstead in hot pursuit. The winger kicked on and won the race to touchdown only for referee Robert Hicks to rule him offside. The first try finally arrived on the back of a second set of possession. After forcing a drop-out, Leigh moved within range and Moran delayed his pass long enough for Adam Higson to slice through unopposed. Ian Mort kicked the first of a perfect six goals and the Centurions led 6-0 after 17 minutes.
Whitehaven had their moments with hooker Graeme Mattinson twice held up over the line and a Leroy Joe kick forcing a great take from Alstead.
In the 28th minute Leigh countered and McConnell darted down the blindside before Alstead stormed clear in support from 40 metres, making a mockery of an attempted tackle by Ade Adebisi before scoring his 16th try of the season.
Adebisi dragged Whitehaven back into the contest with an excellent finish to a move involving Joe, Gregg McNally and Andy Gorski but Leigh had the final say in the half when a clever switch in play from Watson saw Moran go over and Mort added the extras for an 18-4 lead.
The second half started positively for Leigh with long passes from McConnell and Watson creating an opportunity for Toa Kohe-Love to step through the defence for his 10th try of the season. The Centurions looked set to post a big score but an off the ball clash was to change that.
Andy Hobson, restored to the first team after missing several weeks with a broken arm was involved in a collision with McNally after the youngster had passed the ball. With McNally prone on the floor, referee Hicks had little hesitation in producing the red card and Leigh were reduced to 12 men after 52 minutes.
This galvanised the Centurions and it was the hosts that looked more dangerous in possession with Ian Mort making inroads before his flicked pass to Alstead was adjudged forward. McConnell was also unlucky after a startling break down the middle.
The game threatened to boil over when Gorski and Alstead were put on report for separate high tackles on Morrison and Scott McAvoy.
From the McAvoy penalty, Haven drove strongly and Joe threaded a kick to the Leigh ingoal area for Tongan Saia Makisi to pounce. The attempted conversion of John Patrick barely lifted off the ground and Leigh knew that a win was secure when Maden ran into the Haven twenty and Karl Edmonson flopped on him. An assured kick from Mort gave a healthy 26-8 lead before the Watson sent Doran on a short run and the former Widnes man grounded his 10th try of the season in the 76th minute.
There was still more drama in the final minute as Makisi offloaded and Tony Stewart dropped on the loose ball. All hell broke loose from the resultant tackle with Mattinson appearing to kick Stewart before Scott Teare compounded things with a volley of punches. This sparked a confrontation and Hicks again produced the red card for both Whitehaven players.
STAR TURN: Mike Morrison enjoyed his best game of the season with his powerful drives pushing Whitehaven back and his defence also effective. Lee Doran also enjoyed another monster performance while Ian Watson, who has copped some criticism from fans in recent weeks, put in a very good performance.
MAGIC MOMENT: Lee Doran’s 76th minute try – the last league four pointer Leigh fans will see scored at Hilton Park. The atmosphere was electric and I’m sure the roof of the Tommy Sale stand was actually lifted.
MATCH MOAN: The conduct of Teare and Mattinson at the end. To first kick a player on the ground in Mattinson’s case is a cowardly act but for Teare to then weigh in like Lennox Lewis, that was just stupid.
GAME STATS:
Leigh: Mort, Alstead, Roberts, Kohe-Love, Maden; Moran, Watson; Hobson, McConnell, Cookson, Higson, Taylor, Smith.
Subs: Morrison, Stewart, Hill, Doran.
Tries: Higson (17), Alstead (28), Moran (38), Kohe-Love (44), Doran (76).
Goals: Mort 6/6
On Report: Taylor (5), Alstead (65).
Sent-off: Hobson (52)
Whitehaven: Broadbent, Calvert, Jackson, Patrick, Adebisi; Makisi, Joe; Edmonson, Mattinson, Miller, McAvoy, Hill, Barker.
Subs: McNally, Gorski, Teare, Shackley.
Tries: Adebisi (32), Makisi (67).
Goals: McNally 0/1, Patrick 0/1.
Attendance: 3,522.
Referee: Robert Hicks
Penalty Count: 12-10 to Leigh.
Half-time score: 18-4 to Leigh.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment