Match Reports about Leigh Centurions since 1998

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Wednesday 6 January 2010

2008 Season Reports: Pre-season Friendly: WARRINGTON 18 LEIGH 38

WARRINGTON WOLVES 18 LEIGH CENTURIONS 38

Dave Parkinson from The Halliwell Jones Stadium, Boxing Day 2007.

One time Warrington player Dave Alstead scored a hat-trick as the Centurions opened their 2008 pre-season schedule with a comfortable victory in an entertaining festive game at the Halliwell Jones.

Leigh football manager Darren Shaw said, “There were some encouraging signs there, especially with the ball in the first half. We had a fair rate of possession and I thought we played some good stuff off the back of it. For me though, the most positive thing was in the second half when I thought they had plenty of possession and we scrambled really well defensively and we held them out right until they scored that late try.”

The Wolves mix of youngsters, returning squad players, and first team regulars such as Lee Briers, Paul Rauhihi, Mark Gleeson, Rob Parker and Ben Westwood took the lead after seven minutes. Briers kickstarted the move in midfield before Ben Harrison found Andrew Bracek and the centre picked his way through the line to score.

Leigh were quickly back within striking distance when 2007 NL 1 Player-of the-Year Dennis Moran kicked into the corner and Steve Maden dived in. New face Aaron Smith was next to cross and by the 23rd minute when Moran’s magic saw former Widnes team-mate Lee Doran go in from a delayed pass. Adam Rudd then saw a further Leigh try over-ruled.

Lee Mitchell spilled a money ball from Briers for Warrington after half an hour and six minutes later after Andy Hobson was held close to the line, Doran picked his way through for a second score from Dave McConnell’s pass. Ian Watson added his third goal and despite elusive running from Chris Bridge and a determined surge from Matt Blythe, Warrington trailed 22-6 at the interval.

Early in the second half Leigh debutant Dean Hatton was placed on report for a high tackle on Westwood. This set the position for some good ball movement and Warrington thought they’d scored when Simon Grix feigned his way to the line only for referee Phil Bentham to disallow the score.

Quick thinking from the 20 metre tap saw Moran kick the ball out of play and from the possession, Leigh swept upfield, Watson kicking on for Alstead to bravely dive in at the corner.

Briers grabbed a second Wolves score after 50 minutes, stepping through a static defence and Bracek seemed to take the initiative minutes later with fine work down the right.

The Centurions all but killed the game after 57 minutes when an intelligent kick from McConnell found Alstead tearing down his wing for a second.

Warrington mounted pressure on the Leigh line but their defence held firm and the Wolves poor afternoon was summed up when Smith gifted Briers an intercept but the scrum-half was chased down by Ian Mort and Hatton and a flowing passing move resulted in Westwood knocking on in the corner.

Smith, Hill and Rudd then worked the blindside superbly for Alstead to claim his hat-trick - a classic wingman’s effort from forty metres. Hobson was then placed on report for an alleged high-tackle on Grix and finally Westwood worked the position for Chris Riley to score and Briers add a third goal.

Warrington coach Paul Cullen was a disappointed man at full time.

“Leigh out-enthused us and that’s disappointing.” He said.

“You may point to the fact that there were a few youngsters playing and a few players out of position but we had enough experience out there to do the job. Our standards of handling and passing were poor and when you concede a penalty in the opening set of the game, then fail to complete your first set, well we got what we deserved from the game. We then almost scored too easily but that was as good as it got for some players. I don’t think any Warrington player can be happy with that performance.”

GAMEBREAKER: Dave Alstead’s second try after 57 minutes. At 32-12 there was only ever one winner.

GAMESTAR: Mark Roberts, Dave Alstead, Ian Watson and Lee Doran all made good claims for the rating but Dennis Moran edged it with a sparkling performance.

MATCHFACTS

WOLVES
1. Chris Bridge
2. Chris Riley
3. Andy Bracek
4. Ben Westwood
5. Matty Blythe
6. Simon Grix
7. Lee Briers
8. Paul Rauhihi
9. Mark Gleeson
10. Steve Pickersgill
11. Rob Parker
12. Lee Mitchell
13. Ben Harrison
Substitutes:
14. Steven Roper
15. John Walker
16. Mike Cooper
17. Adam Neal

Tries: Bracek (7), Briers (50), Riley (79).
Goals: Briers 3/3.

CENTURIONS
1. Chris Giles
2. Steve Maden
3. Mark Roberts
4. Adam Rudd
5. Dave Alstead
6. Dennis Moran
7. Ian Watson
8. Andy Hobson
9. Aaron Smith
10. Chris Hill
11. Mike Wainwright
12. Lee Doran
13. James Taylor
Substitutes:
14. Martin Keavney
15. Dave McConnell
16. Dale Cunniffe
17. Gareth Price
Darryl Kay
Dean Hatton
Ian Mort

Tries: Maden (9), Smith (14), Doran 2 (23, 36), Alstead 3 (43, 57, 76).
Goals: Watson 4/6, Moran 1/1.
On Report: Hatton (43) suspected high tackle, Hobson (78) suspected high tackle.

Referee: Phil Bentham
Penalties: 12-8
Half-time: 6-22
Attendance: 4,022

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match:
Wolves: Chris Bridge. Centurions: Dennis Moran.

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