Dewsbury Rams 22 Leigh Centurions 44

LEIGH Centurions marched on to the last eight of the Northern Rail Cup with a 44-22 win at Dewsbury in an entertaining game last Wednesday night that was dominated by Robbie Paul and John Duffy.

A tight opening saw the Rams claim the first points when former Gateshead winger Stewart Sanderson pounced for a try from a Dave Alstead error following Pat Walker's kick to the corner in the 12th minute. Walker had earlier missed a penalty but converted the try superbly from the touchline. Prior to that, Leigh had started brightly, going close through Matty Blythe while a chip over the top from Robbie Paul had the Rams floundering as Lee Mitchell and Tyrone McCarthy chased only to see the ball trickle dead.

After conceding points the Centurions attacked again with Chris Hill being halted on the line while the effervecent John Duffy kicked behind the defence only to seeRyan Smith put the ball dead. The scoreboard eventually moved after 19 minutes when Steve Maden stepped over at the corner after Mick Nanyn's bursting run.

Four minutes later Tommy Goulden surged over the line after a good spell of pressure but Dewsbury edged in front when playmaker Walker chipped for himself, pounced on another Leigh error to claim the try before again converting from wide out.

This seemed to stir the Centurions and they retook the lead after 33 minutes. First Maden ran a great line from a tap penalty that saw him burst clear. Although he was hauled down, the tackle count continued with Leigh deep in Dewsbury territory and a David Armitstead offload found John Duffy who dived under the posts for for Nanyn to goal.

On the halftime hooter, Leigh extended their advantage when Paul then McCarthy linked with fellow dual contract man Blythe to score but Nanyn missed the goal to leave the Centurions 20-12 up.

Leigh made a rip-roaring start to the second half as Robbie Paul created back-to-back tries for Jacob Emmitt and McCarthy. The first was from a lovely flat pass that was impossible for the Rms defence to read before the halfback turned back the clock with an electrifying break and pass to McCarthy.

Trailing 32-12, the Rams Walker again turned creator. He kicked to the corner and this time Martin Woodhead got the scoring touch after a howler of an error by Maden. Dewsbury then threatened a comeback after Chris Hill was sinbinned after 62 minutes for putting pressure on Walker from a kick. First Adam Robinson lost the ball over the try line but the substitute did come up with possession a couple of minutes later following a thunderous collision with McCarthy. To the youngster's credit McCarthy rose to continue but this was a good spell for Dewsbury.

It was Walker again that fashioned a fourth try for the Rams, kicking downtown for Smith to score when it looked like Chris Spurr would get there first. Walker goaled and Hill returned from the sinbin to help Leigh to a strong finish.

A switch play under the Rams posts brought Hill a first try of the season before Armitstead crowned a good evening’s work with the final try, taking Dave McConnell’s pass to twist over, while for a second game in succession Nanyn struck after the hooter with his 6th goal to send Leigh through to the knock-out stages of the cup.

Dewsbury: James Haynes, Stewart Sanderson, Chris Spurr, Scott Turner, Martin Woodhead; Ryan Smith, Pat Walker; Keegan Hirst, Paul Hughes, James Walker, Andrew Moody, Liam Crawley, Adam Hayes. Subs: Adam Robinson, Luke Blake, Allister McMaster, Tom Wandless.

Tries: Sanderson 12, Walker 30, Woodhead 52, Smith 73.

Goals: Walker 3/5.

Leigh: Stuart Donlan, Dave Alstead, Matty Blythe, Mick Nanyn, Steve Maden; Tyrone McCarthy, Robbie Paul; Chris Hill, John Duffy, Dave Armitstead, Tommy Goulden, Lee Mitchell, James Taylor. Subs: Dave McConnell, MacGraff Leuluai, Jacob Emmitt.

Tries: Maden 19, Goulden 23, Duffy 33, Blythe 40, Emmitt 43, McCarthy 45, Hill 76, Armitstead 80.

Goals: Nanyn 6/8.

Referee: Jamie Leahy Penalties: 9-10 to Leigh Attendance: 888.