Leigh Centurions 62 Swinton Lions 6

Swinton
By Matt Lawton
March 23 2003

A record-equalling haul of 38 points from full back Neil Turley helped Leigh romp to victory over National League Two outfit Swinton Lions in the Arriva Trains Cup.

Leigh were widely expected to comfortably win but the manner in which they disposed of Challenge Cup heroes Swinton Lions was quite admirable.

The Centurions' defence has certainly been cause for concern in recent weeks but it showed considerable improvement today in restricting Swinton, who are one of the favourites to challenge for the National League Two championship this coming season, to only six points. This will prove to be particularly satisfying for the Leigh supporters, fresh in the knowledge that local rivals Wigan conceded twice as many points when they faced the Lions in the Challenge Cup Quarter Final last week.

However, it didn't seem as though it would be such a simple victory for Leigh Centurions early on in the game as they failed to take control of the game against a resilient and enthusiastic Swinton side.

Leigh finally troubled the scorers after ten minutes when Neil Turley raced past the Swinton cover for his first of five tries, although he failed with a tough conversion from the touchline.

Turley then went over for his second and converted the try before Swinton pulled back six points through former Halifax Blue Sox centre Phil Hassan.

Centurions captain Adam Bristow then extended Leigh's lead when he went under the sticks after a superb passing move when the ball went through eight pairs of hands in one tackle before finding it's way to Bristow.

Leigh then grabbed another try for give Leigh a 20-6 half time lead.

The second half followed much the same pattern with Leigh struggling to grab the initiative early on before opening the floodgates.

Man of the Match Neil Turley scored four more tries and seven goals to give him a personal haul of 38 points, which equalled the club record for points in a match which was set by Leigh legend John Woods eleven years ago against Ryedale York.

Leigh got tries through Damian Munro, who continued his hot scoring streak, Paul Rowley, another from Bristow and a try from barnstorming second row forward Sean Richardson to give Leigh an impressive 62-6 victory.

Leigh will be looking to take this good form and improved defence in to next week's huge test away against relegated local rivals Salford City Reds although it is a virtually meaningless game as both sides have qualified for the next round of the Arriva Trains Cup competition.