Rochdale Hornets 32 Leigh Centurions 34

The Hornets
By Matt Lawton
March 9 2003

Casey Mayberry's late try for the Hornets wasn't enough for them to get anything out of a hugely entertaining thriller at Spotland in the Arriva Trains Cup.

Leigh scraped home after Paul Rowley's two try haul and Damian Munro's 65 yarder meant Leigh held the lead on several occasions but were pegged back almost constantly by a gallant Rochdale side.

Leigh looked to had clinched it when Centurions captain Adam Bristow took advantage of Ian Watson's mistake to give the visitors a commanding 22-12 lead halfway through the second half but Rochdale recovered with two quick tries to pull level.

Leigh showed excellent resistance to hold off the Hornets challenge but will really have to improve if this is going to be the pattern for this season.