Hunslet Hawks 36 - 12 Centurions
In three previous visits to the Hawks impressive home, Leigh had won only once (a narrow 27-22 victory in 1997). In spite of making the journey with a 2 games: 2 loss' ratio, hopes were high that Leigh could defeat their Yorkshire rivals and claim their first league points of 1998.
Hunslet invested heavily in the close season, bringing experienced players such as Ikram Butt, Craig Richards and Ian Smales to South Leeds. They had made a good start to the season with 2 wins from their opening 3 games and were looking to avenge 1997 when the Centurions completed a league double over the Hawks.
Leigh coach Keith Latham changed his team, handing a debut to Widnes utility man Anthony Murray at the pivotal scrum-half role with Hilton at stand-off. Unfortunately this move failed to spark Leigh and the Centurions were soon on the backfoot when former Castleford fullback Ellis scored a try he converted after Paul Mannson's 40 metre break.
Against the run of play Leigh hit back when Portuguese-Aussie Garces scooped up a loose pass and charged 50 metres for a try. Having gone into the game without a recognised kicker, Ingram was the unfortunate individual to attempt the goal. Although well struck, he was unable to convert.
Hunslet soon regained the initiative when Smales picked his way through several feeble tackles for a converted score. Leigh were well out of the game by the 31st minute when Rob Wilson made a mockery of Leigh's defence.
This try prompted Latham to change the team. Hilton and Murray were replaced with O'Loughlin coming to the midfield and Ingram moving from wing to stand-off.
Trailing 18-4 at the break, Leigh needed the first score of the half. It was Hunslet however who started strongly and another 6 points registered on the hawk's tally when prop Richards sprinted over from 25 metres.
Leigh then hit their best spell of the game with Costello, O'Loughlin and a reintroduced Murray finding gaps in midfield. David Ingram scored his 5th try of the season after his chip to the line was fumbled by Ellis and the stand-off was first to react. Andy Fairclough, easily Leigh's best performer, bombed an excellent chance moments later. An attempted kick forward was blocked by Murray. The ball spurned into the Fairclough's hand from 40 meters, he started for the line, only for a determined chaser to haul him down. Fairclough knocked on and the movement came to nothing.
Just past the hour, captain Tim Street was sin-binned for holding down. With his temporary departure went Leigh's hopes of victory. The hawks were unable to add to their total during those ten minutes but gradually wore down a hardworking defence.
Hunslet added tries in the last ten minutes from Wilson and player-coach Plange to lead 36-8 before Leigh scored the best try of the game in the last minute, Andy Fairclough completing a 5-man passing move encompassing 50 metres. Despite a bright finish, nothing could hide the fact that this was another comprehensive defeat for the men from Hilton Park.
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