Leigh Centurions 22 - 14 Hull KR
By Dave Parkinson.
Against all the odds bottom of the table Leigh turned the form book on it's head and showed more spirit than their Humberside bogey team in every aspect of play.
Signs were ominous as Hull KR outmuscled the Leigh pack in the first 15 minutes with little hooker Mike Dixon at the hub of everything. Despite this early pressure, all Rovers had to show for their efforts was a try to the prolific Gary Atkins converted by Mike Fletcher.
As the game entered its second quarter, Leigh grew in confidence with debut halfback James Arkwright keeping a tight watch over PNG superstar Stanley Gene.
Anthony Murray brought the crowd to life, taking the ball from dummy half and accelerating through a hole on the blindside before finding Hadcroft in support. In a 30 metre move Alan Hadcroft drew the defence before sending Jason O'Loughlin galloping over for six points.
Paul Wingfield briefly put Leigh in front with a well struck penalty before another try from Atkins gave Rovers a narrow 10-8 advantage at the break.
Leigh made a good start to the second half, and scoring two tries in the first 8 minutes. It was a direct punishment for Wayne Jackson's lapse of discipline late in the first half that earned the Rovers player a spell in the sinbin. Those tries also established a matchwinning lead.
The Centurions attacked Rovers and on the last tackle, Murray found Phil Kendrick and the big centre was able to offload for Arkwright to skip through a static line for a clinical score. Wingfield added the extras and converted the best try of the game on 48 minutes.
On-form Alan Hadcroft carved his way down the wing in a 40 metre break and sent Kendrick clear with a well judged pass.
Nine minutes later, Leigh almost scored again when a thunderous run from Tau Liku was supported by Keiron Purtill. The referee spotted a marginal forward pass however and disallowed the try.
Mike Bibby then went over for Rovers.
Leigh tried to close the game down, twice missing that all important field-goal.
Hull KR continued to threaten but Leigh's defence held firm for the last few minutes with David Whittle and Tim Street outstanding. They were closely followed by consistent captain John Costello and the irrepressible Murray, who caused problems for Rovers all afternoon.
Friday, 8 January 2010
1998 Season Reports: SWINTON 32 LEIGH 22
Swinton Lions 32 - 22 Leigh Centurions
A superb second half fightback failed to stop Leigh sliding to defeat in the good Friday derby at Gigg Lane.
Keith Latham made several bold changes to his line up, selecting Donohue at scrum half and handing a debuts to new signing Keiron Purtill and loan pair Dave Whittle and Andy Grundy.
As the Centurions were introducing the newcomers, Swinton opened at breakneck pace. Hooker Cannon punished slack marker play to crash in after just 180 seconds. By the 14th minute a brace of tries from Paul Barrow saw Leigh trail 0-14.
Twenty minutes had elapsed before Leigh settled into a pattern. John Costello and Stuart Donlan created an opening before Alan Hadcroft showed power on the flank to cross after 22 minutes. Steve Garces almost scored a wonder try three minutes later but his chip kick rolled over the deadball line.
Just as Leigh started to make a game of it, the Lions hit back with a spell of pressure that resulted in a converted try for Casey. Four minutes from the interval a tired defence allowed Ian Watson to break through and send Gartland over for 6 points.
At 26-6 Leigh were well out of the game, but the spirit showed in the second half was tremendous as on loan forwards Grundy and Whittle combined with the irrepressible Tim Street to provide a platform for the class of Donlan to shine in the backs.
Alan Hadcroft scored first in the second half, showing determination following a strong Costello burst and a neat pass from Donlan.
Ten minutes into the new half Paul Wingfield made a long break and debutant Purtill was forced out just short. Three minutes later, Leigh made amends as Costello and O'Loughlin drew the defence for Wingfield to cross in the corner. Unfortunateley the on-loan winger had an off day with the boot, landing just one goal from five, a conversion to the 57th minute touchdown from Anthony Murray.
As Leigh threatened their greatest comeback in history, Swinton extended their lead when a simple tackle was missed and former Rochdale standoff Gartland scored his second try on 65 minutes.
Leigh kept plugging away and were rewarded 10 minutes from time when Murray and Donohue combined on the last tackle to put Dave Hill in at the left corner.
Unfortunately it was too little, too late.
A superb second half fightback failed to stop Leigh sliding to defeat in the good Friday derby at Gigg Lane.
Keith Latham made several bold changes to his line up, selecting Donohue at scrum half and handing a debuts to new signing Keiron Purtill and loan pair Dave Whittle and Andy Grundy.
As the Centurions were introducing the newcomers, Swinton opened at breakneck pace. Hooker Cannon punished slack marker play to crash in after just 180 seconds. By the 14th minute a brace of tries from Paul Barrow saw Leigh trail 0-14.
Twenty minutes had elapsed before Leigh settled into a pattern. John Costello and Stuart Donlan created an opening before Alan Hadcroft showed power on the flank to cross after 22 minutes. Steve Garces almost scored a wonder try three minutes later but his chip kick rolled over the deadball line.
Just as Leigh started to make a game of it, the Lions hit back with a spell of pressure that resulted in a converted try for Casey. Four minutes from the interval a tired defence allowed Ian Watson to break through and send Gartland over for 6 points.
At 26-6 Leigh were well out of the game, but the spirit showed in the second half was tremendous as on loan forwards Grundy and Whittle combined with the irrepressible Tim Street to provide a platform for the class of Donlan to shine in the backs.
Alan Hadcroft scored first in the second half, showing determination following a strong Costello burst and a neat pass from Donlan.
Ten minutes into the new half Paul Wingfield made a long break and debutant Purtill was forced out just short. Three minutes later, Leigh made amends as Costello and O'Loughlin drew the defence for Wingfield to cross in the corner. Unfortunateley the on-loan winger had an off day with the boot, landing just one goal from five, a conversion to the 57th minute touchdown from Anthony Murray.
As Leigh threatened their greatest comeback in history, Swinton extended their lead when a simple tackle was missed and former Rochdale standoff Gartland scored his second try on 65 minutes.
Leigh kept plugging away and were rewarded 10 minutes from time when Murray and Donohue combined on the last tackle to put Dave Hill in at the left corner.
Unfortunately it was too little, too late.
2009 Season Reports: DONCASTER 18 LEIGH CENTURIONS 24
DONCASTER 18 LEIGH CENTURIONS 24
DAVE PARKINSON at the Keepmoat Stadium.
Leigh Centurions claimed their second win of the Co-operative Championship season with a narrow victory at Doncasters impressive Keepmoat Stadium.
Winning coach Neil Kelly said that his side “needed to stop shooting itself in the foot” after they built a 24-6 lead only to be left clinging on at full-time.
He added, “We played well for fifty to sixty minutes with the ball and on defence but the age old problem with Leigh is that we shoot ourselves in the foot by giving away so many penalties.”
There was little between the two teams in the first half when for the first ten minutes Leigh remained error free without troubling the Doncaster try-line. This period was dominated by an old fashioned armwrestle between the two front rows. Andy Hobson and Dave McConnell shone for the Centurions while Craig Cook and former Wakefield Academy product Mark Castle were among the top performers for the Dons.
It was the hosts that threatened first when former Hull KR threequarter Andreas Bauer threaded a kick that forced an error and then clearance from Dave Alstead. Lee Marsh, in for his first game of the season then sparked a move at the other end when his wide pass put Stuart Donlan, then Alstead away only for an excellent tackle to force the winger out of play.
Neither side seemed able to capitalise until the 22nd minute when Ian Watson struck a 40-20. Straight from possession, Marsh collected a pass from his bootlaces and Mort was on hand to go over from his astute offload. The fullback struck the conversion and then added a superb finish after Danny Meekin and the impressive Kurt Haggerty forged an opening and Mort sped through in support. 12-0 was soon 12-6when following a short spell of pressure, Doncaster got over by the posts through Matt Carbutt for Kyle Briggs to convert.
Just before the break, Leigh grabbed their third try when Watson found Haggerty and his strength took him through an attempted tackle and over the line.
Within two minutes of the start of the second half, the Centurions added their fourth try when Chris Hill did all the running and Andy Hobson touched down. Mort added his fourth goal and Doncaster went on the attack with six minutes of continuous pressure. Wayne Riett, Castle and Briggs all went close but the defence held firm. Leigh thought they had grabbed another try when Alstead got in at the corner following a 30 metre surge from a Marsh pass. The final ball was deemed forward and the visitors were reduced to twelve men a minute later when Mike Morrison was sinbinned for a high tackle.
Doncaster spied their chance to attack and after a couple of destructive runs from the likes of Al Rounding and Nathan Freer, Craig Cook was alert at dummy half to nip through for the score. Briggs converted and the game was really put in the melting pot after 67 minutes when Andreas Bauer stole a ball from his opposite number Mort and ran 40 metres to score. Briggs again goaled and the Centurions had defend for another period before eventually claiming the win.
Dons coach Tony Miller said: “It was a winnable game for us but individual errors prevented us from claiming the three points. We have a few players back in contention now and this will only see us get stronger.”
GAMEBREAKER: The try just after halftime which left the brave Dons with too much to do
GAMESTAR: Anthony Rourke had an excellent game before leaving the field injured, special mentions for Kurt Haggerty and Dons halfback Paul Handforth who never stopped scheming.
DONCASTER
3 Andreas Bauer
26 Gaz Carey
19 Ryan Steen
34 Luke May
5 Wayne Riette
6 Kyle Briggs
7 Paul Handforth
28 Jamie Bovill
9 Craig Cook
15 Mark Castle
11 Peter Green
17 Ross Divorty
13 Josh Weeden
SUBS (ALL USED)
22 Andy Speak
29 Matt Carbutt
16 Nathan Freer
27 Al Rounding
Tries: Carbutt (29), Cook (56), Bauer (67)
Goals: Briggs 3/3
Field Goal:
On Report:
Sin bin: (TIME) – offence
Dismissals:
CENTURIONS
14 Ian Mort
2 Dave Alstead
1 Stuart Donlan
15 Adam Higson
3 Steve Maden
17 Lee Marsh
7 Ian Watson
8 Andy Hobson
9 Dave McConnell
10 Mike Morrison
29 Lee Wingfield
12 James Taylor
27 Anthony Rourke
Subs (All used)
4 Tony Stewart
40 Kurt Haggerty
28 Danny Meekin
10 Mike Morrison
Tries: Mort (23, 25), Haggerty (39), Hobson (42)
Goals: Mort 4/4
Field goal:
On Report:
Sin bin: Morrison (55) – High Tackle
Dismissal:
Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Doncaster: Mark Castle
Leigh: Anthony Rourke
Penalty count: 12-3
Half-time: 18-6
Referee: Mr R Laughton
Attendance: 827
SCORING SEQUENCE:
0-6, 0-12, 6-12, 6-18, 6-24, 12-24, 18-24.
DAVE PARKINSON at the Keepmoat Stadium.
Leigh Centurions claimed their second win of the Co-operative Championship season with a narrow victory at Doncasters impressive Keepmoat Stadium.
Winning coach Neil Kelly said that his side “needed to stop shooting itself in the foot” after they built a 24-6 lead only to be left clinging on at full-time.
He added, “We played well for fifty to sixty minutes with the ball and on defence but the age old problem with Leigh is that we shoot ourselves in the foot by giving away so many penalties.”
There was little between the two teams in the first half when for the first ten minutes Leigh remained error free without troubling the Doncaster try-line. This period was dominated by an old fashioned armwrestle between the two front rows. Andy Hobson and Dave McConnell shone for the Centurions while Craig Cook and former Wakefield Academy product Mark Castle were among the top performers for the Dons.
It was the hosts that threatened first when former Hull KR threequarter Andreas Bauer threaded a kick that forced an error and then clearance from Dave Alstead. Lee Marsh, in for his first game of the season then sparked a move at the other end when his wide pass put Stuart Donlan, then Alstead away only for an excellent tackle to force the winger out of play.
Neither side seemed able to capitalise until the 22nd minute when Ian Watson struck a 40-20. Straight from possession, Marsh collected a pass from his bootlaces and Mort was on hand to go over from his astute offload. The fullback struck the conversion and then added a superb finish after Danny Meekin and the impressive Kurt Haggerty forged an opening and Mort sped through in support. 12-0 was soon 12-6when following a short spell of pressure, Doncaster got over by the posts through Matt Carbutt for Kyle Briggs to convert.
Just before the break, Leigh grabbed their third try when Watson found Haggerty and his strength took him through an attempted tackle and over the line.
Within two minutes of the start of the second half, the Centurions added their fourth try when Chris Hill did all the running and Andy Hobson touched down. Mort added his fourth goal and Doncaster went on the attack with six minutes of continuous pressure. Wayne Riett, Castle and Briggs all went close but the defence held firm. Leigh thought they had grabbed another try when Alstead got in at the corner following a 30 metre surge from a Marsh pass. The final ball was deemed forward and the visitors were reduced to twelve men a minute later when Mike Morrison was sinbinned for a high tackle.
Doncaster spied their chance to attack and after a couple of destructive runs from the likes of Al Rounding and Nathan Freer, Craig Cook was alert at dummy half to nip through for the score. Briggs converted and the game was really put in the melting pot after 67 minutes when Andreas Bauer stole a ball from his opposite number Mort and ran 40 metres to score. Briggs again goaled and the Centurions had defend for another period before eventually claiming the win.
Dons coach Tony Miller said: “It was a winnable game for us but individual errors prevented us from claiming the three points. We have a few players back in contention now and this will only see us get stronger.”
GAMEBREAKER: The try just after halftime which left the brave Dons with too much to do
GAMESTAR: Anthony Rourke had an excellent game before leaving the field injured, special mentions for Kurt Haggerty and Dons halfback Paul Handforth who never stopped scheming.
DONCASTER
3 Andreas Bauer
26 Gaz Carey
19 Ryan Steen
34 Luke May
5 Wayne Riette
6 Kyle Briggs
7 Paul Handforth
28 Jamie Bovill
9 Craig Cook
15 Mark Castle
11 Peter Green
17 Ross Divorty
13 Josh Weeden
SUBS (ALL USED)
22 Andy Speak
29 Matt Carbutt
16 Nathan Freer
27 Al Rounding
Tries: Carbutt (29), Cook (56), Bauer (67)
Goals: Briggs 3/3
Field Goal:
On Report:
Sin bin: (TIME) – offence
Dismissals:
CENTURIONS
14 Ian Mort
2 Dave Alstead
1 Stuart Donlan
15 Adam Higson
3 Steve Maden
17 Lee Marsh
7 Ian Watson
8 Andy Hobson
9 Dave McConnell
10 Mike Morrison
29 Lee Wingfield
12 James Taylor
27 Anthony Rourke
Subs (All used)
4 Tony Stewart
40 Kurt Haggerty
28 Danny Meekin
10 Mike Morrison
Tries: Mort (23, 25), Haggerty (39), Hobson (42)
Goals: Mort 4/4
Field goal:
On Report:
Sin bin: Morrison (55) – High Tackle
Dismissal:
Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Doncaster: Mark Castle
Leigh: Anthony Rourke
Penalty count: 12-3
Half-time: 18-6
Referee: Mr R Laughton
Attendance: 827
SCORING SEQUENCE:
0-6, 0-12, 6-12, 6-18, 6-24, 12-24, 18-24.
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