2003 Season Reports: FRIENDLY: CASTLEFORD 36 LEIGH 12

CASTLEFORD TIGERS 36
LEIGH CENTURIONS 12
by Dave Parkinson


After keeping Wigan try-less in their opening Super League encounter it was the turn of the Warriors close geographical neighbours Leigh to enter the Jungle for this entertaining friendly. Castleford boss Graham Steadman paid the Centurions a compliment by naming a strong line-up minus the injured Mitch Healey, Francis Maloney and Wayne Bartrim.

The Centurions themselves handed Neil Turley his first senior start of the season following a comeback game against Wigan Under-21's last weekend and with regular hookers Paul Rowley and John Hamilton missing the game, 18 year old Keiron Maddocks deputised.

The Tigers made a great start when Kiwi international Michael Smith charged over after just 3 minutes for Mark Lennon to add the first of four goals. With virtually their next attack Castleford scored again through Lennon and a long night looked in prospect for the Centurions. Leigh battled hard after that initial onslaught but two tries in eight minutes from lively Wayne Godwin - the second from a sparkling Danny Orr break, saw the Tigers establish a 20-0 lead.

With possession deep in the Castleford half, Leigh grew in stature and finally put themselves on the scoreboard with Turley grounding a deceptive kick from Lee Sanderson in the 32nd minute.

Moments later Turley was at full stretch attempting to field a short kick over on the left and former Halifax, Leeds and Salford centre Damien Gibson snatched the ball from his grasp. Lennon converted and the Tigers led 26-6 at halftime.

Having finally adjusted to the pace of the game; allied with heavy rain and blustery conditions. Leigh tackled their hosts with renewed enthusiasm. While Leigh adopted a controlled approach to the second half, Castleford struggled to keep hold of the ball and despite making two or three line breaks didn't really look like scoring until Darren Rogers snapped up a gift offload from Leroy Rivett over the tryline.

In attack the Centurions built pressure with a number of attacking kicks that kept Gibson Tom Saxton and exciting Waine Pryce busy.

The efforts of the Leigh team, in particular non-stop forward Bryan Henare and the outstanding Willie Swann deserved more and finally they were rewarded. Swann shrugged off two tacklers on-route to the line from a close range scrum. Perhaps Leigh should have made more of their attacking opportunities but good home defence stopped Dale Holdstock, Damian Munro, David Bradbury and Maddox short. 30-12 looked a likely final score before Godwin linked up with Ryan Hudson for the loose-forward to race over by the posts five minutes from time to confirm a comfortable 7-try victory for the Super League play-off contenders.

Castleford Tigers:

20. Tom Saxton,
2. Waine Pryce,
1. Damien Gibson,
3. Michael Eagar,
5. Darren Rogers,
6. Danny Orr,
22. Mark Lennon,
8. Nathan Sykes,
19. Wayne Godwin,
17. Paul Jackson,
23. Michael Smith,
18. Jamie Thackray,
13. Ryan Hudson;

SUBS
24. Adam Thaler,
21. Richard Blakeway,
26. Craig Huby,
14. Andy Johnson,
10. Andy Lynch.

Tries: Michael Smith (3), Mark Lennon (5), Wayne Godwin 2 (21, 29), Damien Gibson (37), Darren Rogers (60), Ryan Hudson (75).



Goals: Lennon 4/7.



Leigh Centurions:


1. Neil Turley,
2. Leroy Rivett,
3. Damian Munro,
4. Dale Cardoza,
5. Eric Andrews,
6. Pat Weisner,
7. Lee Sanderson,
8. Rob Ball,
9. Keiron Maddocks,
10. Bryan Henare,
11. Sean Richardson,
12. Anthony Blackwood,
13. Adam Bristow;

SUBS
14. Willie Swann,
15. Dale Holdstock,
16. David Alstead,
17. David Bradbury,
18. Darren Woods.

Tries: Neil Turley (32), Willie Swann (63)
Goals: Turley 2/2.





Referee: Mr J. King.

Halftime Score: 26-6 to Castleford.

Full-time: 36-12 to Castleford.

Penalties 5-5.


Men-of-the-Match: Tigers: Wayne Godwin. Centurions: Willie Swann
Game Star: Wayne Godwin controlled the ruck area well for the Tigers and supported play all evening.
Game Breaker: Godwin's second try on 29 minutes gave Castleford a match winning 20 point advantage.

Attendance: 1,427 @ The Jungle, Castleford.