Leigh Centurions v Featherstone Rovers Betfred Championship Round 15 Monday 13th June 2022
This was the third match between the top two this season, they’ve met once in the league and one in the cup and it was one win a piece going into this one, it promised to be a cracker, so would Leigh get a win and go top by a point, or would Featherstone get the 2 points and move three points clear?
It was played at Leigh Sports Village
After a minute, it was nearly the perfect start for Rovers, as they got over the line, but Leilua’s short pass was fumbled.
1st Leigh try- Inu in corner
Four minutes later, Leigh scored the 1st try of the night as they worked it from right to left and Inu scored in the corner, unsuccessful conversion by Inu.
2nd Leigh try- Isiata over from close range
After nine minutes, it was a 2nd Leigh try as Asiata got over from close range, successful conversion by Inu.
1st Rovers try- Kheirallah latched onto a kick
Just after the quarter hour, Rovers were back in the game as Rovers charged a Leigh kick down, and on the last tackle, Jacks did a beautiful chipped kick and Kheirallah got there to score, successful conversion by Kheirallah and it was game on.
3rd Leigh try- Ferguson scored
After 22 minutes, Ferguson collected high ball and fell over the line to score in corner, unsuccessful conversion by Inu.
Leigh penalty- Inu converted
Just after the half hour, Featherstone conceded a penalty while dropping out, and Leigh chose to take the 2 points on offer, Inu converted.
Leigh penalty- Inu converted
2 minutes later, Rovers conceded an identical penalty and Inu converted again.
Halftime score: Leigh Centurions 18-6 Featherstone Rovers
It was a competitive first half, but Leigh had the edge, could Rovers score 1st in the 2nd half and make it a bit edgy for Leigh?
2nd Rovers try- Jones scored
After 42 minutes, a brilliant start to the 2nd half for Rovers after a brilliant pass from Kheirallah and Jones scored to left of sticks, successful conversion by Kheirallah and again Rovers were only 6 points adfrift, could they push on?
Five minutes later, Rovers unlucky as Kheirallah’s kick to corner knocked on by Jones.
After 51 minutes, a kick on last tackle rolled into the Leigh in-goal area, and Rovers forced a drop out. Then a couple of minutes later, Leigh survived again .
Five minutes later, Asiata’s grubber on last kicked dead by Rovers, and they were forced to drop out.
4th Leigh try- Ferguson scored in corner
Just before the hour, Leigh shifted ball from left to right and Ferguson was in to score in the corner, unsuccessful conversion by Inu.
Leigh penalty- Inu converted
After 65 minutes, Leigh won a penalty and Inu converted, it was now a 2 try game for Rovers with only 15 minutes left.
5th Leigh try- Ipape broke and scored
With ten minutes remaining, Leigh wrapped up the win as Ipape broke the Rovers line and scored under the sticks, successful conversion by Inu.
Wildie sinbin for Rovers
After 73 minutes Wildie sinbinned for ROvers for interfering at the ruck.
Inu sinbin for Leigh
Inu sinbin for Leigh
With just a couple of minutes left, Inu sinbinned for Leigh for a high tackle on Briscoe
Leigh penalty- Reynolds converted
After the hooter went, Eseh did a high tackle on Ioane , got sent off and Leigh chose to take the 2, Reynolds converted.
Fulltime score: Leigh Centurions 32-12 Featherstone Rovers
This game at times was close, up until the last quarter when Leigh took the game away from Rovers, who themselves scored 2 excellent tries.
It means that the Rovers unbeaten streak in the league is over, and they drop to 2nd in the Championship just a point behind Leigh.
So it’s one win a piece in the league, with Leigh winning the 1895 Cup.
These two will probably have 2 more games against each other before the end of season, the Summer Bash at the end of July, and then probably the Grand Final .
Highlights of this game are at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdZo6xmsw9Q
There is now a week off for all Super League and Championship teams as there’s international rugby league this weekend, so next for Rovers is a home game to the only team who had stopped them winning until this one as they face Batley Bulldogs at the Millennium Stadium on Sunday 26th June 2022 with a 3pm kickoff.
