Dewsbury Rams v. Leigh Centurions preview

By Matt Lawton
June 15 2003

Leigh travel to the Heavy Woollen region of West Yorkshire to take on a struggling Dewsbury Rams side who despite their lowly position, still positive a considerable threat to visitors to the Ram Stadium.

There is plenty of history between the sides after several momentus tussles over the years, none more so than the thrilling NFP Grand Final of the year 2000 when the Centurions came back from 12-0 down to draw level at 12-12 following two tries from young hooker Micky Higham which put him firmly on the bigger stage and ultimately earnt him a move to Super League, where he is now starring for champions St. Helens.

However, a last gasp drop goal from Rams half back Richard Agar claimed victory for the West Yorkshire outfit, despite their supporters being considerably outnumbered by the travelling army of 6,000 Leythers in the crowd of 8,500 at Gigg Lane in Bury, then home to Swinton Lions. This game just heightened the rivalry between the sides and was ironically the first time that Dewsbury had defeated Leigh that season, after a league game at Hilton Park and a game in the play-offs at Ram Stadium both ended in Leigh victories.

Although Dewsbury won that particular Grand Final, it is Leigh who are now in far better health, both on and off the field. While Leigh keep the largest support in the division, both Dewsbury's attendances and finances have plummeted after they were denied entry to Super League following their Grand Final defeat. In fact, Dewsbury are only in this division due to a victory over Workington Town in a "Grand Final" between the sides to decide who would take up the tenth and final place in the new National League One.

This has certainly been clearly illustrated as the Rams have been the whipping boys of the division, with defeat following defeat on more than a few occasions and coach Andy Fisher will certainly have his players fired up to turn their form around and do as their fellow strugglers Oldham did and defeat the Centurions on home turf.

Leigh will be without hooker John Hamilton, who was released to join promotion rivals Rochdale Hornets earlier this week, and also Lance Todd Trophy winning winger Leroy Rivett, who suffered a badly twisted knee in last weekend's Arriva Trains Cup victory over Whitehaven Warriors. Also missing will be centre Dale Cardoza who will be missing the second game of his three match suspension following an incident in the defeat against Oldham which led to him appearing before a disciplinary tribunal last week who found him guilty and suspended him for three games, also fining the former Warrington and Doncaster star £150.

Young scrum half Lee Sanderson is on stand-by to replace John Duffy, should the former Salford scrum half not prove his fitness in time for the Ram Stadium encounter.