1998 Season Reports: Another Win: LEIGH 19 WIDNES 14

Centurions 19 - 14 Widnes Vikings


There have been some classic Leigh/Widnes games over the years. The 1992-93 clash at Widnes was memorable for a superb Leigh fightback. Trailing 22-10 with ten minutes left, Leigh looked dead against the Wembley bound Chemics. An unlikely victory followed in injury time thanks to an Andy Collier touchdown and Troy Clarke conversion.

This 1998 clash saw Leigh and Widnes struggling at the foot of the first division table. The centurions, seeking their first league points of the campaign named two ex-vikings in their lineup. Murray started from loose-forward and Phil Kendrick in the problem stand-off berth.
Widnes hit early problems, when star centre Jamie Bloem was helped from the field after just 3 minutes. His withdrawal affected the vikings pattern and Leigh dominated the opening exchanges. Several chances fell Leigh's way, Murray knocked on with the line at his mercy after a poor pass from Hadcroft and Kendrick also went close.

After 13 minutes, Leigh finally pressed home their advantage when David Ingram scored from a Chris Wilkinson grubber kick. Wingfield converted. This try stunned Widnes into action and a rare foray into Leigh's half was rewarded when fine passing allowed enough room for Cross to score in the corner.

Paul Wingfield gave the centurions the lead with a 26th minute penalty, and increased the lead to 10-6 following Gartland's sin-binning after 28 minutes.

The vikings hung on and repelled Leigh's attacks with some determined defence before Wingfield slotted his fourth goal over with a 39th minute penalty. First half action closed with Street and opposite prop Makin sin-binned for fighting. Leigh took a 12-6 lead to the break.

Widnes made a better start to the second half with Howells 45th minute penalty bringing them within four points. Two minutes later, the vikings took the lead when slack defending allowed the impressive Howell to slip through from 20 metres for a converted score.

Although they trailed on the scoreboard, Leigh still looked in control and it was only a matter of time before the centurions regained the lead.
Chris Wilkinson put a grubber kick through to the posts that rebounded off a defender for Murray to scoop the ball up and swerve past the full back for a converted try on 66 minutes.
Skipper Wilkinson increased the Centurions lead with a field goal three minutes later. Leigh hung on for the remaining eleven minutes with a combination of luck and dogged defence.
Widnes had a chance to snatch victory in the final minute when Ashton lunged for the line. A great tackle from Wilkinson was enough to dislodge the ball and Ashton knocked on. Had Widnes scored, it would have been an injustice to Leigh who worked very hard on all aspects of the game and outplayed the visitors for long spells.