It's an old saying but, a week is a long time in sport. Just seven days ago Featherstone inflicted defeat on Salford City Reds, yet the same teamed proved no match for Leigh Centurions.
Damian Munro and Pat Weisner were the toast of Hilton Park following the emphatic 50-12 win. Munro, the former Widnes and Halifax three-quarter who finished last season on-loan at Featherstone, registered an impressive hat-trick while Weisner deservedly took the official Man-of-the-Match award with a busy display at stand-off that also saw him strike 7 goals from 10 attempts.
In truth the game was as good as over in the first half hour as Leigh set off a break-neck speed. The Centurions scored their first after just two minutes through Phil Kendrick and Sean Richardson who cleverly dummied two players to score in the corner, soon followed him. Leigh's onslaught down Rovers left flank paid dividends again when Kendrick pierced the defence and after 12 minutes Rovers trailed 14-0.
Three minutes later and a fourth try followed, this time quick hands from Dale Cardoza released Alan Hadcroft and he in turn fed the ball to Adam Bristow for another four pointer. Featherstone tried desperately to slow Leigh down and the referee finally lost patience with the visitors, awarding Leigh a penalty that Pat Weisner planted between the uprights after 25 minutes. Still the Centurions weren't done and right on the half hour smart three-quarter play led to Kendrick setting up the supporting Munro for his first try.
Trailing 26-0 at halftime, Featherstone needed to reply early on but their frustration only gifted an intercept and Munro sped over for his second. Things got even better for Leigh with two tries in four minutes either side of the hour. Paul Rowley, once again a stand-out performer, did his chances of keeping the number 9 shirt no harm with a 58th minute try, Weisner being the architect. Another fine move close to the line worked a treat for Munro's hat-trick on 62 minutes and the Centurions led 44-0. Supporters in the slightly disappointing 2,073 crowd must have been pinching themselves - the first three quarters of this game had been a dream!
Unfortunately the hosts blotted their copybook with two lapses in defence that saw Steve Dooler and Andy Rice cross for Carl Briggs improved scores either side of a try in the corner from Leroy Rivett.
Leigh: Alstead, Munro, Cardoza, Kendrick, Hadcroft; Weisner, Duffy; Nickle, Rowley, Norman, Richardson, Henare, Bristow; Holdstock, Swann, Rivett, Bradbury.
Tries: Munro 3 (30, 46, 62 mins), Kendrick 2 (2, 12 mins), Richardson (8 mins), Bristow (15 mins), Rowley (58 mins), Rivett (70 mins).
Goals: Weisner 7/10.
Rovers: Graham, Stokes, Langley, Brown, Flynn; O'Meara, Briggs; Tonks, Chapman, Dickens, Dooler, Rice, Seal; Darley, Bailey, Jowitt, Molyneux.
Tries: Dooler (64 mins), Rice (77 mins)
Goals: Briggs 2/2.
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