Dewsbury Rams 50 - 0 Centurions
On their only previous visit to New Crown Flatt in 1994 a superb defensive performance saw Leigh to a 16-6 victory. 1998 saw a different Leigh side crash to a massive 0-50 defeat, providing further evidence that the bookmakers had been right in their pre-season estimates.
Both teams made a promising opening with Dewsbury just shading it with a Barry Eaton penalty in the tenth minute. It took the rams 19 minutes to breach a well organised defence as Dewsbury worked an overlap for centre Williams to cross in the right corner. Eaton added the conversion.
The Centurions almost registered their first points on 22 minutes but Chris Wilkinson failed with his field goal attempt. Leigh had other chances three minutes later, but a last ditch tackle denied Geritas and Wilkinson's inviting grubber kick to the corner went dead despite a valiant dive from new signing Wingfield.
It was now Dewsbury's turn as a 40 metre bust from big winger Bailey was halted close to the line. A quick play-the-ball led to a converted score from impressive full back Matthew Bramald.
Leigh prop Pucill was dismissed for a high tackle on Bailey in the 34th minute, following a warning moments earlier for a challenge on the same player. Somehow, Leigh held firm and trailed 0-14 at half-time.
The Centurions uphill battle was confirmed just four minutes into the new half when second row forward Williams blazed through paper thin defence for a 50 metre try.
Twelve minutes later Bramald added his second try for 26-0 to the rams. Leigh rallied briefly and thought they had scored when Wingfield burrowed over by the posts. The referee spotted a knock on and disallowed the score.
This was only a minor interuption as the Rams swept forward to score five tries in the last 18 minutes including Bramald's hat-trick after a slick reverse pass from Barry Eaton. Dewsbury completed the rout six minutes from time when centre Williams went under the posts and Eaton added his 9th goal from 10 attempts.
The only plus points for Leigh were Tim Street's masterly display and debutants Kendrick and Wingfield. Leigh's challenge faded after Pucills dismissal and the Centurions paid a heavy price for their indiscipline, after a solid start.
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