So far, so good for Centurions (From Leigh Journal)

So far, so good for Centurions

1:54pm Thursday 11th March 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
•  

LEIGH take on Keighley on Sunday for the first time in five years.

Despite the Cougars entering administration in the close season, then being docked nine points before losing to Widnes and Toulouse in recent weeks, Centurions are taking nothing for granted.

"They are at home - that's a big thing," Centurions coach Ian Millward said.

"I'm looking forward to getting back into league action.

“We are starting to come together as a team and play the game the way I want us to play the game.

“Last week was a big week for us as we made it through to the next rounds of the Northern Rail Cup and Challenge Cup. We now need to get an away win in the league and build from there.

"The league and the Northern Rail competitions are our bread and butter. I like the direction we are heading in.

“It would be good to pick up six points from our next two games."

Ricky Bibey came through his third debut for Centurions unscathed and the Leigh boss was happy with his progress.

"Ricky will definitely figure in the 17 on Sunday," said Millward.

John Duffy, who sat out Centurions’ 52-4 win against amateurs Wath Brow, returns and will start according to the Leigh coach. "I signed Robbie and Duffy in the close season to lead us at 7 and 9 and over the last two weeks Robbie has really grown into his role and you can see the improvement in him every week, while Duffy is getting better playing longer minutes and regularly," he said.

One player who may be struggling with an ankle problem is Mike Morrison.

Against Wath Brow, Millward felt his Centurions were ‘professional’ while the game gave him chance to ‘try a few things’ - that included the use of Martyn Ridyard in his preferred half back role and Ridyard took his chance, directly creating three tries while having a hand in five more.

It gives Millward a pleasing selection headache between Ridyard and Hartley and the Australian said: “There is nothing between them, Ridyard and Hartley are neck and neck, one of them will play stand off this coming Sunday. It was really important that Martyn was given an opportunity and I'm happy with the way he progressed."

The fourth round draw for the Challenge Cup was made in Warrington on Monday with the Centurions rewarded for their victory over Wath Brow with a trip to France to face Limoux on the weekend of April 17/18.

"That's fine," an unphazed Millward said.

"If we win that, then draw another non-Super League team in the next round, then you are in a quarter-final and with the luck of the draw, we could even find ourselves in a semi-final. It's an interesting draw."