Leigh v. Huddersfield preview

By Matt Lawton
October 12 2002

NFP front runners Leigh Centurions and Huddersfield Giants will tonight step into the cauldron of a packed Halton Stadium in Widnes with the winner being promoted to the top flight of British Rugby League, Super League.

Both sides look set to field full strength sides with Leigh welcoming back powerhouse former St Helens prop Vila Matautia after he served a two match ban. Tonight's match, which will be screened live across Britain by Sky Sports, may be Matautia's final game of a controversial career which has had both it's successes and downfalls and he will be hoping for one final push for that last bit of success before he hangs up his boots.
Centurions coach Paul Terzis is confident of victory although that is expected as his job is in the firing line - he will be sacked should Leigh be defeated. He has promised there will be a few suprises in his line up.
Terzis' opposite number, arrogant Huddersfield coach Tony 'Pinocchio' Smith, is predictably confident about the chances of his side and he has reason to be as the Giants haven't lost a league game all season and ran away with the NFP Minor Premiership. However, Leigh know only too well the risks of a one-off game and the pain defeat brings in such games after heartbreaking defeats to both Dewsbury and Widnes in the latter stages of the play offs in the past two seasons.
It is sure to be a thrilling game roared on by what is sure to be a record NFP Grand Final crowd and it is hoped that there will be a large TV audience even though it clashes with the England football team's match against Slovakia. Coverage of the game starts at 6pm on Sky Sports 1.

COME ON LEYTHERS!