Centurions 11 - 66 Sheffield Eagles
Challenge Cup Round 4
Sheffield Eagles maintained their 100% record against Leigh in this competition with a resounding 12-try victory over the plucky centurions.
This tie was a very difficult task for the centurions and was made impossible when Leigh lost both props during a five minute spell in the second half.
Pucill was despatched to the sin-bin for holding down on 55 minutes. Street followed on the hour, sent-off for a 10th time in his career for alleged use of an elbow in a tackle. Leigh trailed 11-42 at this stage and although they tried valiantly, all Sheffield had to do was spread the ball wide to increase their lead.
Four further Sheffield tries in the final quarter gave the scoreboard a one-sided look. Defeat brought Leigh their 5th cup defeat in nine years against their South Yorkshire bogey team.
The Eagles started well, taking 4 minutes to register their first try. Powerful winger Crowther supported a long break from Keith Senior for an Aston converted score. John Gunning missed Leighs first opportunity for points, striking his penalty attempt wide. Aston showed how it was done with a 10th minute penalty.
Sheffield extended their lead after quarter of an hour when livewire kiwi Dave Watson crossed from a suspicious looking ball. Leigh hit back on 18 minutes when the prolific Ingram crossed following a dropped ball from the otherwise impressive Sovatabua. Gunning and Hilton created space in the 20-metre area before Ingram added the final touch.
Gunning reduced Eagles lead to just 5 points with a field goal before Crowther added his second, rounding O'Loughlin from 25 metres.
The Centurions continued to battle away and almost claimed a try when a Garces chip and chase just went dead. From the resultant tap, Eagles caught Leigh cold and Crowther completed his hat-trick with a spectacular 80-metre run. Sheffield extended their lead to 28-7 at the break after a late try from Paul Carr ruined an excellent 10 minutes for the Centurions.
With Keith Latham's words ringing in their ears, Leigh started the second half a different team. Within 120 seconds of resumption Andy Fairclough crossed for a super try in the corner after Scott Hilton's quick switch in play.
The Super league team did not take long to reassert themselves, increasing their lead with tries from Senior (2) and Crowther. Pucill's sinbinning and Street's departure caused collapse.
Prop Dale Laughton was a major beneficiary, revelling in midfield space and scoring two tries to take the Eagles past sixty points.
Leigh were again well served by Costello and Nixon, forming an effective and hard working back row. In the backs Andy Fairclough was outstanding; at times driving in like a rampaging bull. Hilton showed guile behind a beaten pack and his performance promised much for the future.
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