Grrand Final hopes over (From Leigh Journal)

Leigh Centurions 10 Sheffield Eagles 20

2:00pm Thursday 29th September 2011 in Centurions

THE Grand Final dream ended in disappointment.

Thursday’s Co-operatiive Championship final eliminator proved to be a game too far for Leigh against a gutsy Sheffield side whose winning performance was built on powerful forward play and the strong tactical kicking of half back Simon Brown.

Leigh trailed 8-0 at half time but a 44th-minute Stuart Donlan try converted by Mick Nanyn put them right back in it.

Sheffield, who had finished two places below Leigh in the final table, then scored two killer tries in the 54th and 56th minutes.

Vinnie Finigan capitalised on a Menzie Yere offload and then Quentin Laulu-Togagae pounced.

Nanyn scored Leigh’s last try of the season eight minutes from time.

Leigh: Stuart Donlan; Steve Maden, Adam Higson, Mick Nanyn, Dean McGilvray; Martyn Ridyard, Jamie Ellis; Chris Hill, John Duffy, David Mills, Andy Thornley, Stuart Littler, James Taylor. Subs: Robbie Hunter-Paul, Steve Nash, Sam Hopkins, Tom Armstrong.