Leigh 35 Batley 28

By Matt Lawton
October 6 2002

A resilient performance from Leigh Centurions meant that they defeated 'dogged' Batley Bulldogs and reached their second Grand Final in three years in a thrilling game in front of a bumper crowd at Hilton Park.

Leigh produced all their guile and strength to see off a spirited Bulldogs side to reach next week's Grand Final to be held at the Halton Stadium in Widnes.
Leigh took the lead in the first couple of minutes when Dale Cardoza capitalised on a Batley knock on from a Bobbie Goulding kick to go over the whitewash and give Leigh an early lead before another try gave Leigh a ten point lead.
Batley then came back into the game and, with a little help from referee Steve Ganson pulled the lead back after Dave Whittle was inexplicably sin binned by the St. Helens official.
The match was in doubt right to the final whistle but a late penalty from Neil Turley meant there was no way back for Batley and the Leigh hordes went wild.