Whitehaven Warriors 8 Leigh Centurions 20

By Matt Lawton
July 21 2003

The injury ravaged Centurions survived a very tough and closely contested first half to comfortably win the Recreation Ground encounter in the second half with several quality tries.

Leigh made the journey down to the very bare bones of their squad due to a bout of 'flu in the squad along with several key first teamers out through injury. The injury situation was so bad that it meant youngster Anthony Blackwood had to be recalled from his loan spell with National League Two outfit Chorley Lynx to try and help relieve the injury problems.

Leigh largely dominated the first half and put plenty of pressure on the Whitehaven line, but the hosts' defensive stood firm and was impressively strong although this is traditionally to be expected from any Whitehaven outfit.

Despite the constant pressure on the 'Haven line, Leigh were behind for much of the first half because of an early Darren Holt penalty. Leigh eventually put some points on the board close to the end of the second half when the impressive Neil Turley, who was filling in at the stand off position because of Leigh's injury problems, put in a superb 'bomb' which was plucked out of the air by former Widnes Vikings star Damian Munro and dropped over the line, though Turley missed the tough conversion.

Leigh nearly scored again through Bryan Henare but despite getting over the line, he was held up in the 'Haven in-goal area. Whitehaven also could've scored but knocked on close to the Leigh line. Despite these chances, the first half stayed tight and Leigh led at the hooter by four points to two.

A tough first half was followed by a totally different second half with Leigh going over the line with a cracking try which was created by a long pass from Willie Swann, which was taken by former Dewsbury and Widnes second rower Sean Richardson who dummied a pass to fellow second rower Bryan Henare before crashing over to extend Leigh's lead.

Leigh further increased their lead with a try from a jubilant former St Helens prop forward Sonny Nickle, who powered his way over from twenty yards out for a try which was easily converted by Neil Turley. Leigh again extended their lead via Bryan Henare who eventually scored the try which he so richly deserved for an excellent performance, with the try again being converted by the impressive Turley.

There was a small brawl shortly after this try which resulted in Leigh's Paul Rowley and Whitehaven's Leroy Joe being sent to the sin bin by the referee after long consultations with his assistants.

Whitehaven scored a late try through former Oldham man Howard Hill with barely minutes remaining on the clock, but it proved to be irrelevant with Leigh succeeding where Salford failed and winning at the Recreation Ground, an historically tough place to visit for Leigh who had previously only won twice there in the past twenty years.

Title rivals Salford won against Batley Bulldogs, ironically Leigh's opponents for next week, to keep level with the Centurions at the top of the league.