Leigh Centurions v. Swinton Lions preview

The Lions
By Matt Lawton
March 22 2003

Leigh Centurions take on National League Two side Swinton Lions in the Arriva Trains Cup at Hilton Park tomorrow amd will be hoping for a smoother ride than their previous encounter with the Lions earlier this season.

A victory for Leigh will clinch their passage in to the next round of the Arriva Trains Cup although it isn't as clear cut as you would think. Although Leigh are hugely expected to win, they can't underestimate a Swinton side who scored the first, and last, try in their Challenge Cup Quarter Final against Wigan last week.

When the sides last met, Leigh were rescued by Leroy Rivett who clinced a close 24-18 victory over the Challenge Cup Quarter Finalists at their tiny Moor Lane ground.

Centurions coach Paul Terzis is convinced that tomorrow's encounter is huge as Leigh look to continue their passage in to the knock out stages of the competition.

Terzis has several injury worries with props Dave Bradbury and Sonny Nickle both set to miss out through injury which may open the door for long-serving crowd favourite Paul Norman to return to the side after being on the sidelines through injury for almost a year.

Terzis was also hit earlier this week with the news that influential hooker John Hamilton will be out of action for several weeks after suffering a hairline fracture in his hands. Leigh are also sweating on the fitness of wingers Leroy Rivett and Alan Hadcroft.

The Centurions are wary of the threat that the Lions pose after the Manchester side made shock progress in the Challenge Cup, defeating Leigh's conquerers Featherstone in a run which ended in a quarter final defeat against holders Wigan Warriors.

COME ON LEYTHERS!!