Leigh Centurions put their fans through the wringer

THERE are many ways to win a game; some easier on the nerves than others, writes Trevor Baxter.

Leigh’s second successive home victory fell into the ‘let’s put our fans through the wringer’ category.

Trailing 20-6 with 14 minutes remaining, Neil Jukes’ side suddenly remembered how to score tries.

Three times they breached the Broncos’ defence with Rangi Chase’s touchdown nine minutes from time ultimately making the difference.

It might have been too close for comfort but travelling to Bradford on Sunday will feel better off the back of a win rather than unexpected defeat. It also focused minds on rugby issues rather than Ryan Brierley’s future.

“I am really pleased with the attitude through that adversity,” said Jukes at the end of an unwanted nail biter. “Plenty of people came up with good efforts.”

On a game of 31 penalties Jukes added:”I said to the lads at half time, I am not going to the ref at full-time to complain about it win, lose or draw.

“We have got to deal with it, we have got to get better though it was frustrating.”

Brierley duly made his first Championship appearance of the campaign at Leigh Sports Village after his previous week’s absence against Oldham. And his combination with Chase made it three different half back combinations to start the season.

Clearly there’s some bedding in all-round still needed as Broncos threatened to pull-off a famous win, helped by the disjointedness caused by the penalty count, first half sin binnings for Leigh’s Dayne Weston and Jake Emmitt plus captain Micky Higham’s early injury.

The Londoners scored the first three tries through Alex Foster, James Cunningham and Rhys Williams with Wes Naiqama, crucially, converting only one.

Equally important was Sam Hopkins’ latest touch down to add to his hat-trick against Oldham just before the break.

However, it didn’t prove the catalyst Leigh hoped. And there was more concern when Bradford born Ben Hellewell crashed over on the hour for a try goaled by Naiqama to put Broncos 20-6 in front.

Leigh hadn’t suffered a home league defeat since 2013 but that proud record looked in tatters. Cue an unlikely comeback.

Jamie Acton - with help from Chase and Gareth Hock - went over in the 66th minute. Emmitt crashed over two minutes later before a thrilling, adventurous, trademark Leigh try from Chase sealed the deal.

Lee Smith, taking on goal kicking duties from the absent and injured Martyn Ridyard, completed a four from four haul and Centurions scraped home, denied a top four spot now only on points difference.

“I felt we probably didn’t deserve to lose the game, we probably deserved to get something out of it,” said Broncos boss Andrew Henderson. “Whether it was at least a point – I thought we deserved that.”

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MATCH STATS:

Leigh: Smith; Higson, Worthington, Whiting, Pownall; Chase, Brierley; Moimoi, Higham, Weston, Hansen, Maitua, Hock. Subs: Foster, Hopkins, Acton, Emmitt.

Tries: Hopkins (39), Acton (66), Emmitt (68), Chase (71).

Goals: Lee Smith (4/4).

Broncos: Walker; Williams, Hellewell, Naiqama, Macani; Keyes, Leatherbarrow; Slyney, Cunningham, Ioane, Foster, Garside, Bussey Subs: Ackers, Harrison, Thackray, Battye.

Tries: Foster (17), Cunningham (26), Williams (36), Hellewell (60).

Goals: Naiqama (2/4).

Referee: George Stokes.

Attendance: 3291.

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