Centurions v. Bulldogs preview

By Matt Lawton
October 5 2002

Batley Bulldogs travel across the Pennines for tomorrow's NFP Major Semi Final full of confidence following their thrilling victory over Oldham last week which put them just one win away from a fairytale Grand Final.

Leigh will look to reach their second Grand Final in three years but Batley will be full of confidence after they reached the Major Semi following away victories against Doncaster and Featherstone and last week's gruelling home victory against Oldham despite finishing only seventh in the NFP table.
The Centurions are hopeful that star half backs Bobbie Goulding and John Duffy will take their places in the starting thirteen after they were both injured in the 36-10 defeat away to Huddersfield a fortnight ago. They will no doubt be boosted by the return of ever consistent captain Adam Bristow after the Australian loose forward served a suspension following his sending off against Dewsbury Rams and also huge Samoan prop Vila Matautia after the former St. Helens 'hard served a suspension of his own to add his strength and immense power to an already Super League-standard pack of forwards.
Leigh will look to use their fearsome pack and inventive half backs to free the likes of Olli Marns and Neil Turley to exploit the gaps carved open to give Leigh another crack at old foes Huddersfield in a possible Grand Final next week.
Centurions coach Paul Terzis feels that Leigh are certain to win but he is sure to feel that way as he will be out of a job if Leigh are defeated by Batley or indeed if we are defeated by Huddersfield in the Grand Final.
Batley coach Paul Storey believes there is "more pressure" on Leigh and I feel he is correct as Leigh were expected to be among from the front runners right from the start after last year's heartbreaking failure whereas nobody expected Batley to challenge for the Grand Final.
A large crowd is expected at Hilton Park to roar the Centurions on to victory following the terrific support that followed the team over the Pennines for the defeat to Huddersfield which meant the Giants qualified for the Grand Final.