2002 Season Reports: SWINTON 6 LEIGH 40

26/5/02 – Swinton 6 Leigh 40

By Dave Parkinson. (This match took place at Hilton Park even though it was designated as a Swinton home game.)


Torrential rain made conditions difficult at Hilton Park, where for probably the first time in their history Leigh were the away side. This didn't seem to bother the Centurions however and they eventually put 40 points on the scoreboard against their hosts.

Swinton made a bright start to the game and when Leigh were penalised within their 20 metre zone, Mick Nanyn put the first score on the board. Leigh replied quickly and two tries from Willie Swann, both converted by Neil Turley saw Leigh race into a 12-2 lead. The returning Dave Whittle, making his first appearance following a loan spell at St Helens, was next to slice through the defence but Neil Turley then saw his pass knocked on by the supporting Swann. Leigh once again made their superior power count in the 23rd minute when Roper crossed wide out. Swinton upped their efforts on defence, restricting the Centurions to a 16-2 interval lead despite losing a man to sin-bin.

It took Leigh just four minutes to open their second half account when Andrew Isherwood put Dave Bradbury through a huge gap. Full-back Turley converted and was involved in the build-up to the Centurions next try, dancing his way into space before Isherwood raced forty metres. Leigh were then awarded a penalty for holding down and a couple of plays later Gareth Price sold a dummy and went over for a converted try that moved the score onto 28-2.

Following that try 15 minutes into the second half, Swann made way for John Duffy. Duffy took a little time to settle but applied himself to the task. An angled kick over the head of full-back Adam Hughes caused problems and Turley ran on only for the ball to skim away from him. Committed to scoring the try, Turley could do little to stop his momentum and clattered into both Hughes and an advertising board.

Turley tried to get up and after being helped from the field by the Leigh bench staff he was taken to hospital in an ambulance. Leigh put the loss of their full-back aside and some quality handling in wet conditions saw Price add his second try. Swinton then pulled a consolation score back when impressive hooker Rob Barraclough scored from a play-the-ball close to the line. The last word belonged to the Centurions as they added a 7th try in injury time. Isherwood was the scorer, charging 30 metres after taking a lofted pass from Phil Kendrick. Simon Svabic added his second goal to complete a 40-6 victory.


SWINTON: Hughes, Dickinson, Nanyn (1/2G), Thorpe, Roach, Gallagher, Dean, Shea, Barraclough (T), Hansen, Holdstock, Wingfield, Cannon.

Subs: Hudson, Chambers, Cushion, Pratt.


LEIGH: Turley (4G), Irwin, Kendrick, Roper (T), McCully, Svabic (2G), Swann (2T), Matautia, Hamilton, Whittle, Price (2T). Isherwood (T), Bristow.

Subs: Ball, Duffy, Rowley, Bradbury (T).