2002 Season Reports: Challenge Cup: ROCHDALE 20 LEIGH 24

Leigh 24 Rochdale 20

By Dave Parkinson, Spotland
Two of the NFP's expected front runners clashed for the right to enter the fifth round of the cup and it was Leigh who proved victoerious in a rough an tough game played in non-stop rain on a deteriorating pitch.

Leigh went on attack from the first whistle and opened scoring in the fifth minute with a Neil Turley penalty after Dave Bradbury and Davidson were involved in a slight skirmish. Leigh looked in fine form early on with Simon Svabic putting official man-of-the-match Chris Morley through a yawning gap in the home side's defensive line while the strong running of fellow welsh international Gareth Price posed problems.

Rochdale on the other hand couldnt get into any rythmn although fullback Owen confidently claimed a high kick from Willie Swann but he was starting to cause havoc to the hosts. The Samoan came up with a corking tackle on Marlon Billy in the 11th minute and the former Keighley winger played no further part in the game.

With Rochdale on the rack Adam Bristow was very unlucky to be brought back for another penalty after a quick tap and the Hornets problems were compounded when David Stephenson was sinbinned by referee Mr Silverwood. Turley elected to go for goal but he put his attempt across the face of the posts.

With 16 minutes gone the game got the tonic it needed when fine play down the right wing started by Bristow was finished expertly by Liam Bretherton following a brilliantly measured kick to the in-goal by Mark McCulley. Again, Turley missed the difficult conversion but the confidence flowing in the Leigh side was clear for all to see, especially when Svabic bolted through a gap out wide only to be hauled in-touch before he could release his support.

Encouraged by this defence, it was Rochdale's turn to attack but good defence kept them at bay until the 21st minute when Pachniuk and Tawhai opened the defence for Smith and his angled run ended under the posts. Agar converted but a fine restart from Turley saw the Leigh fullback find touch on the Rochdale 20 metre line.

Quickly, Bristow peeled away from the scrum-base, astutely bringing Swann on the angle and he had too much strength from close range. Turley converted, then traded penalties with Agar after Bretherton had a try disallowed before Rochdale struck on the bell to level matters. James Bunyan crossed at the flag after good work from Tawhai and Davidson.

The opening 15 minutes of the second half were all Leigh as the Centurions made light of the conditions and the loss of Willie Swann and when the try came Leigh's way it was a fine effort.

Substitute Vila Matautia dragged three defenders into him before unleashing Turley in the twenty metre area and his angled run gave Bristow the opportunity to slide over in the corner. Turley made it 20-14 but back came Rochdale and Bunyan dropped a pass from Wood. The Hornets became increasingly desperate to register points and this was evident wehn a last tackle attack on the blind side went wrong. Simon Svabic read the play superbly to intercept and run 50 metres for a try that put 10 points between the sides.

Leigh stepped up a gear and it was only good defence from Rochdale that prevented a further score. Rochdale then struck and big centre Matt Calland twice made good inroads and had a try disallowed after the touchjudge on the opposite side of the field spotted a knock on earlier in the Hornets set.

Eventually the Hornets did cross the line when Smith cut through and turned the ball inside for Wood to score what proved to be a consolation but Leigh had done enough to clinch deserved victory.