LEIGH 52
WHITEHAVEN 24
Dave Parkinson reports on action from the Buddies Cup.
A one-sided second half consolidated second spot for the Centurions as Leigh turned an 18-24 deficit into a thumping 52-24 victory.
In total Leigh scored 9 tries, four of them by substitute forward Andy Isherwood who had a massive impact when introduced, repeatedly tearing holes in the visitors defence.
The game started well for the Centurions and a routine win looked on the cards after Mark McCulley and Phil Kendrick scored early tries, then the wheels fell off. Mark Wallace scored from a scrum and Whitehaven were soon on level terms when opposite winger Leigh Smith powered past Chris Irwin.
At this stage Leigh were going through the horrors, mistakes piled up and young second row forward Ryan Campbell took advantage to score a third try for Haven.
Hilton Park fell into stunned silence when good play down the left saw Smith touchdown for his second try. Steve Kirkbride added his 4th conversion and Whitehaven led 24-12.
Leigh weren’t playing well at all, yet hauled themselves back into the game before halftime when the ball was turned back inside for Adam Bristow to score. The boot of Neil Turley moved the score onto 18-24 and Leigh headed for the interval trailing by 6 points.
Isherwood took to the field late in the first half and announced his introduction with the opening score of the second period, shrugging a mistimed tackler aside before improving the angle for Turley to tie the scores up. Two Turley penalties after 54 and 58 minutes put Leigh back infront before the defence melted away for Isherwood to grab his second.
Whitehaven were flagging when Jon Roper hit a well timed pass at pace in the 65th minute to make the score 38-24 but Leigh turned up the heat with three more tries before the end.
By this time Oli Marns had entered the fray and the new loan signing from Halifax looked eager to impress. When Turley broke from deep, Marns was in support with nothing but open field in front of him but unfortunately, he spilled the inside pass from the Centurions full-back.
Isherwood completed his hat-trick in the 73rd minute and Neil Turley finished good approach work from John Duffy before a rampaging 50 metre stoppage time effort brought Isherwood a fourth try and rapturous applause from the crowd. Turley added his 8th goal for a personal tally of 20 points and Leigh scored 50 points or more in a game for the 7th time this season.
MOM – Andy Isherwood gave the Centurions good forward direction after his introduction, Dave Whittle strived hard all afternoon yet John Duffy was at the hub of the Centurions best moves in midfield.
Team: Turley (T 8G), Irwin, Kendrick (T), Roper (T), McCully (T); Svabic, Duffy; Knox, Rowley, Whittle, Baldwin, Bristow (T), Highton; Anderson, Ball, Marns, Isherwood (4T).
Haven Try Scorers: R Campbell, L Smith 2, Wallace.
Goals: Kirkbride 4
Attendance: 1,801 @ Hilton Park.
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