PAUL Rowley praised Centurions’ ‘entertaining’ style of rugby after their Grand Final win.

The coach was proud after his side’s triumph over Featherstone Rovers at Headingley Carnegie.

“I am proud,” said Rowley. “I’m proud of the players, I’m proud of the club, I’m proud of the fans.

“It meant so much to the town and I thought the players ultimately got what they deserved for being in such good form all year.

“It’s about how they have responded and memories like this with such people are unique; they are rare. It’s wonderful.

“We play rugby; everyone knows how we play. We have our brand, we have our philosophy at the club and it’s difficult to defend against when you’ve got players like Martyn Ridyard and Ryan Brierley orchestrating from the halfbacks and the soldiers all around them.

“It makes for entertaining rugby and it’s pretty effective. The fans like it; we like it, we enjoy ourselves but it’s hard to play. It needs a lot of endeavour and a lot of skill and they had it.”

Ridyard was voted Tom Bergin Trophy winner for his man-of-thematch performance.

Rowley added: “Martyn has been on an upwards journey for the past four or five years. I tell Riddy every year in pre-season training that he is Super League quality and I think you see that.

“Martyn is like me; he’s a Leigh boy and he’s part of a young group.”

Rovers fought back from 20-6 down at half time to trail 20-12 midway through the second half.

And Ridyard reflected on what the win meant to him as a local player.

“It means everything,” he said.

“Like Paul Rowley said we are both local lads and it has been a few years building, my game as well personally, and that’s credit to the coaching staff and the club. To get up there and finally win a Grand Final for my hometown; well that is brilliant.

“We sat down at the beginning of the season and started to look ahead. Not too far; but we knew what was at stake for the top two this year and the Grand Final.

“We’ve got a young group and we want to try and get up into Super League.”