kingstone press championship round 1 v batley ...derek beaumont and steve openshaw, along with the...

PRICE£2.50

KINGSTONE PRESS CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 1LEIGH CENTURIONS v BATLEY BULLDOGS

SUNDAY 16th FEBRUARY 2014AT LEIGH SPORTS VILLAGE • KICK OFF 3:00 PM

Main Match Sponsor

www.leighcenturions.comTHE CENTURION2

Hon Life PresidentMr Tommy Sale MBEHon Vice PresidentMr Andy Burnham MPHon Life MembersMr Brian BowmanMr Tommy ColemanMr Frank TaylorChairmanMr John RoddyBoard of ManagementMr Michael NorrisMr Derek BeaumontMr Andy MazeyMr Alan PlattMr Steve OpenshawMr Neil WilcockMs Jackie MottersheadMr Trevor Barton MBEMs Julia BradleyHead of RugbyMr Derek BeaumontFirst Team CoachMr Paul RowleyAssistant CoachesMr Neil JukesMr Simon FinniganConditionerMr Nathan PenningtonTraining AssistantMr Thomas WoodMasseurMr Rob StewartStatisticianMr Cliff Sumner

Kit menMr Frank TaylorMr Sean FairhurstMr Tommy MatherUnder 20’s CoachMr Paul AndersonUnder 20’s AssistantMr Steve MayoConditionerMr Dan OgdenPhysiotherapistsMs Emma FletcherMs Hannah LloydMr John Stopford (Under 20's)Club DoctorDr Maurice Doublet-StewartClub AmbassadorMr Alex Murphy OBECommercial ManagerMr Rob ParkerLottery ManagerMs Christine BrownLottery Co-ordinatorMr Johnathan SimpkinFinance ManagerMs Jane SmithIT & Ticket SalesMr Andrew ParkinsonClub AccountantsStyles & CoHon Programme EditorMr Alan Edge

HONOURSChampionship Winners: 1905-06Division One Champions: 1981-82Division Two Champions:1977-78, 1985-86, 1988-89Challenge Cup Winners: 1920-21, 1970-71Lancashire Cup Winners:1952-53, 1955-56, 1970-71, 1981-82BBC2 Floodlit Trophy:1969-70, 1972-73Promotion To Top Divisionachieved(Not as Champions):1963-64, 1975-76, 1991-92Other Promotion season:1997 (Division 3 to Division 2)Northern Ford Minor PremiershipWinners: 2001Trans-Pennine Cup Winners: 2001Arriva Trains Cup Winners: 2004LHF National League 1 Champions: 2004LHF National League 1 Grand FinalWinners: 2004Northern Rail Cup Winners: 2006, 2011, 2013

CLUB RECORDSBiggest Victory:92-2 vs Keighley (1986)Biggest Defeat:4-94 vs Workington Town (1995)Highest Home Attendance:31,326 vs St Helens (1953)Lowest Post War Home Attendance:451 vs Hull (1975)Most Tries in a game:Jack Wood 6 v York (1947),Neil Turley 6 v Workington Town (2001)Most Goals in a game:Mick Stacey 15 vs Doncaster (1976)Most Points in a game:Neil Turley 42 vs Chorley (2004)Most Tries in a season:Neil Turley 55 (2001)Most Goals in a season:Neil Turley 187 (2004)Most Points in a season:Neil Turley 468 (2004)Most Tries in a career:Mick Martyn 189 (1954-67)Most Goals in a career:Jimmy Ledgard 1043 (1948-58)Most Points in a career:John Woods 2492 (1976-85, 1990-92)Most Appearances:Albert Worrall – 503 (1920-38)

www.leighlife.com THE CENTURION 3

Telephone: 01942 487887

CLUB CONTACTS

Email:General Enquiries – [email protected]

Facebook:www.facebook.com/leighcenturionsfanpage

Twitter:twitter.com/LeighCenturions or tweet us @LeighCenturions

WHO’S WHOAt Leigh Centurions

FROM THE TOPBy Chairman JOHN RODDY

First of all, welcome to all ourfantastic Leigh Centurions

supporters, old and new, and notforgetting our internationalsupport.How do you capture within just a few paragraphs, our recentactivities, achievements and the small matter of the future ofrugby league? It is virtually impossible, but never the less, Ishould try.Only seven months ago, when the new Board was formed -whilst it was difficult with so much to do - we went about ourbusiness, preparing ourselves to be in the best shape we couldbuild, both on and off the field. We quietly and professionallyavoided media attention and comment and developed ourplans to prepare for what we believed would be a tough yetexciting season ahead.Whilst we kept a watchful eye on the future of licensing withinthe game, we were also very mindful of the potential of areturn to 'promotion and relegation', and therefore developedrobust plans to ensure whichever way the decision went, fromthe very first day we would be strong and capable to meet thechallenges.Squad recruitment has been first class, led by Paul Rowley,Derek Beaumont and Steve Openshaw, along with thedevelopment of our Under 20's by Paul Anderson. I am veryconfident that we have the best squad, and coaching andmanagement teams to take this club all the way during theseason.Supporting the development of the squad, we have beenworking tirelessly to improve our finances, commercialactivities, communication and community development, and Ido not believe at this stage, with the team that we have inplace, that we could have done any more to strengthen ourposition. (Take a bow - everyone, you deserve it) Special mentions and thank you must go out to: Clive Render, who is heading up our Legends Bar activities -I hope you’re enjoying the experience.Fred Parkinson - Leigh Centurion TV - great work Fred!

Gillian Gorse - who is doing the most amazing work in ourretail store; watch out shortly for the go-live date for our newonline store.Christine Brown and Johnny Simpkin in our fantasticLottery and all our agents, for their sterling work andincreased membership.Simon Toon and all his team at Leigh Sports Village - wehave certainly become 'one big team' during past six months.

During the pre-season games, it was fantastic to have TonySmith of Warrington, Shaun Wane of Wigan Warriors and Dr.Marwan Koukash of Salford Red Devils speaking in ourbanqueting suite. It was very clear, particularly with Marwan,that they recognised our capabilities and passion and I amsure that one of them saw us competing potentially with themnext year. (I will let you reach your own conclusion which one)Those pre-season games greatly encouraged the Board towork even harder to accomplish our mission this year.Finally, it is really good to see that the Leigh Centurions PastPlayers Association has reformed and, together with the club,are building the momentum to work together. I know thatmany past players are here today with the great Kieron Purtilldoing a Q&A session in the Legends Bar.'We are in this together’ - let’s hope for a fantastic andsuccessful season. If you can bring your family, friends andneighbours to enjoy the experience, all the better, for sure weneed your support and your voices.Best wishes John

Tony Smith Shaun Wane Dr Marwan Koukash

Cover Star:Alex Brown


FROM THE EDITORBy ALAN EDGE


This Week’s Visitors

This afternoon, weare delighted to

extend a warm‘Leyther’ welcome, tothe players, officialsand supporters ofclose rivals BatleyBulldogs, for theopening Kingstone

Press Championship game of theseason.We should all be in for a treat this afternoon, as gamesbetween the Centurions and Bulldogs are always tough, closeaffairs. Last season we finished just one league point ahead ofthe Bulldogs, who then extended our miserable play-off recordand terminated our season somewhat abruptly, beating us byvirtue of Ben Black’s ‘golden point’ drop goal. The fixtureplanners could not have chosen a better way to start the newseason, by setting up a re-match between two evenly-matchedsides. Both teams have undergone considerable changes, during the‘close’ season. Paul Rowley’s challenge will be to integrate histen new signings into the bulk of last season’s squad, whileJohn Kear is looking to bed in replacements for ten of the sidewho featured in the Grand Final against Sheffield.

Stars Mean PrizesThe more sharp-eyed of you mayhave alreadyspotted the goldstar at thebottom of thispage. This season, theBoard has decidedto offer rewards tothose subscribers of‘The Centurion’,who purchase allthirteen editions of

our Championship match day magazine in 2014. Onproduction of the thirteen numbered stars, (or copies of themagazines) to the ticket office at the end of the season, fanswill be entered into a draw for the following prizes:-• A place on the 2015 squad photo. (5 prizes)• A priority listing for tickets to the extremely popular 2014

player awards evening (5 prizes)• A framed photo of the supporter with the player of his/her

choice. (5 prizes)So, for those of you who are regular subscribers to ‘TheCenturion’, here’s your chance to be rewarded for your loyalty.(and good taste!) If you aren’t a regular subscriber, why notgive it a go for a season? You could win one of the prizes onoffer, at the same time as helping out your club, and enjoyinga cracking topical read.

Firstly, reaction to the 28-36 defeat toWigan:There were plenty of positives but also somereal fundamental errors where our systems areconcerned. We did an hour and a half on thevideo afterwards, where we reinforced our rulesand principles and going forward from herewe’ll work from this point. We are used to having two or three new bodiesjoining the club and this season we have seen aconsiderable change. It’s something new for usall and those rules and principles can take alittle time to become habits. Wigan executedvery well but I believe very few passages of playcan’t be solved.Wigan hit a real purple patch just afterhalf time didn’t they?They completed 14 sets in a row with ustouching the ball a couple of times to kick itback to them! For us the good part was whenwe eventually did get the ball ourselves, we alsohad a high completion and did 12 on thebounce.Then there was just five days to put itright before the arrival of Salford?Salford was a funny one because all the focus ofthe media was on them. They have been given ano-limit credit card and manufactured a team;it’s like X Factor! However, you can go on asmany trips or bonding sessions to exotic orrough locations but you only ever get true teambonding from the experiences you share on thetraining ground and on the battlefield. That iswhere respect is gained and people learn totrust one another. The one word surrounding our squad at themoment is potential. It’s about realising thatpotential. Games are not won on paper and Ineed to squeeze more out yet, although I wasextremely impressed with our middle unit; allour forwards were very effective against Salford.They were very solid. There were a lot of goodaspects, things we could be happy with but westill lost the game.What we try and do is create habits and goodhabits at that. You can iron out a few technicalissues, which I thought we clearly did in thetransition between the Wigan and the Salfordgames. We were a lot more fluent as a squad.Now we just need to fine tune a few things andput a bit more juice in one or two areas.What were your thoughts from theWarrington game? It was originally listedas an Under-20s fixture wasn’t it and yetthere was a good sprinkling of first teamplayers there from Warrington and astrong squad from Leigh.Yeah - when Tony Smith and myself firstdiscussed the game we were thinking along the

lines of an under-20s fixture, but prioritieschange and we ended up seeing internationalplayers against us.There were some obvious improvements again.The gradual improvement over the weeks isthere for everyone to see, especially in that firsthalf. I thought we were brilliant at times. Weplayed with a lot of shape and upped ournumbers in the areas we wanted to againstgood opposition. We were more than happywith the first half. In the second we probablymade about 25 changes. Ryan Brierley andGregg McNally came off and we changed thehookers twice. I was disappointed with howdisjointed we were in the second half. It’s tingedwith a bit of disappointment, but it’s aboutputting it together and keeping improving. It’sabout being more accountable and our job ascoaches is to keep on cranking it up and gettingmore out of them.Again that start to the second half sawthe team go behind and it looked likethey missed Gregg McNally when he hadto go off? The way we play, everyone has got a reallyimportant role to play and if we lose somebodyout of that role, then we fall short somewhere.The friendlies have given the new lads achance to get game time under theirbelts but there have also been a coupleof players from the Under-20s that havestepped up in Lewis Foster and ChrisHankinson?Lewis was outstanding for the Under 20sagainst Rochdale and I considered playing himagainst Wigan. He then had a real good debutagainst Salford and I think we can look forwardto more things from him. He’s definitely got atouch of quality and is quite confident. Hedoesn’t shy away in defence and looks a goodplayer.Chris joined the club from Salford and was greatplaying out in the centres against North WalesCrusaders. He had a sound debut againstWarrington and what this shows is that I willpick the team and players on form, whether theyare young players, new players or seasonedplayers. The lads that have come in haven’tlooked out of place and they’ve been more thancapable.Since our last chat for The Centurion, theclub has announced the loan recruitmentof Kurt Haggerty from Barrow – I makethis the third time he’s been at the clubincluding his Academy stint?Kurt left us to join St Helens and then came tous on-loan as a young lad. The club was very much in a transitional period at the time. Itwasn’t a stable place. We were training up at

Lowton High School with no lines on the fieldand two foot of grass.Kurt has an obvious quality. I think I’ve made itquite public that I’ve been searching for thatelusive ball playing second row, which is why Ibrought Simon Finnigan to the club and I felt weneeded to revisit that area with Simon hangingup his boots. Kurt has that ability. Our playerswill always tell you, I give them freedom andencourage them to play. We don’t set up forplays; we just play what’s in front. Kurt can dothat and adds another string to our bow, addingto a strong group of second rowers all pushingfor position.The trade off from that is that two of ourplayers in Craig Briscoe and Joe Bullockgo up to Barrow; that will aid theirdevelopment too won’t it?I think we are in a win-win situation. Kurt hasthe experience under his belt that we arelooking for in the immediate future. In terms ofCraig and Joe, they are both too good to play inthe 20’s league. They both need that challengeof week to week first team football at a veryhigh level. They both have areas that we havetold them that they need to work on andbecome consistent in, before they featureregularly with us. We have a call-back on bothplayers, but Kurt hasn’t got a call-back. It suits us down to a tee. We get a really goodtough environment there with Anthony Murray.It’s a good grounding and they are like ourpartner club, I don’t mean that they are belowus - I mean it’s a situation that suits us. Theyhave a smaller squad a bit like we had twelvemonths ago and two years ago.I’m looking forward to Craig and Joe being amassive part of that golden era that I envisageat this club. I’m excited by what they’ve bothgot and there’s that word ‘potential’ again,Craig in particular, a bit like Anthony Nicholsonlast year, their promotion to the first team was abit accelerated by lack of numbers. Once theyhave had a taste of it, they are eager for more.It’s only fair for them to go earning money andbuilding that experience and toughness. Forexample Joe Bullock has moved from being awinger to being a prop. I look forward to seeingthat toughness and contact improving. It’s amove to progress them, to help us in the futureand to help them.

GOLD STARWEEK 1

Jimmy FiddlerSince our last edition of ‘The Centurion’, all atLeigh Centurions have been saddened to hearof the death, after a long illness, of another ofour Wembley heroes, prop forward JimmyFiddler.Fiddler was an ‘old fashioned’ prop forward, who wascapable of toughing it out with the best, whilstpossessing a superb ball-playing skill. He was also anaccomplished goal-kicker, who opened the scoring thatday back in 1971, with a well taken drop goal.Three years later, he was captain of the Leigh team thatwas deprived of the chance of another Wembleyappearance, in a close semi-final defeat at the handsof Featherstone.Fiddler went on to represent Balmain and NorthSydney, in Australia, had a spell with French teamLimoux, and Salford, Bramley, Leigh again, Oldham, andBradford Northern. In all, he made 380 appearances,(204 at Leigh) scoring 55 tries, 495 goals, and 31 dropgoals.The thoughts of all at Leigh Centurions, go out toJimmy’s family, at this sad time.

COACH’SCORNER

PAUL ROWLEYTALKS TO DAVEPARKINSON

www.leighlife.com THE CENTURION 9www.leighcenturions.comTHE CENTURION8

www.leighlife.com THE CENTURION 11www.leighlife.com THE CENTURION 11www.leighcenturions.comTHE CENTURION10

www.leighcenturions.comTHE CENTURION www.leighlife.com THE CENTURION 1312

LOTTERY NEWS

The Superleigh Lottery's crusade to increase membership continuesat an incredible pace, with over 100 new members signed up sinceNew Year.

We'd like to thank each and every one of our members new and old fortheir fantastic support, and we wish them all plenty of luck in the weeklydraws.

If you are thinking of becoming a member but have yet to do so, we'dlove to hear from you, and as an added incentive, anybody who signs upin the months of February and March will be entered into a special drawto win VIP access to a Leigh Centurions training session, which will includebreakfast with the players.

If you would like to join, please contact the Superleigh Lottery on01942 487892 or by e-mail on [email protected].

BATLEYBULLDOGSSQUAD - 2014

HEAD COACH - JOHNKEAR

No NAME No NAME

AYDAN FAAL Bulldogs' captainByron Smith VINNY FINNIGAN JOHN DAVIES

1 Miles Greenwood

2 Vinny Finigan

3 Alex Bretherton

4 Aydan Faal

5 Johnny Campbell

6 Ben Black

7 Scott Leatherbarrow

8 Byron Smith

9 Anthony Nicholson

10 Alex Rowe

11 John Davies

12 Sam Scott

13 Mark Applegarth

14 Alistair Leak

15 Jay Leary

16 Brad Brennan

17 Lee Paterson

18 Luke Blake

19 Joe Chandler

20 Adam Gledhill

21 Anthony Mullally

22 Jacob Fairbank

23 Josh Johnson

24 Peter Aspinall

25 Nathan Mason

26 Ben Blackmore

27 Jake Connor

www.leighcenturions.comTHE CENTURION14 www.leighlife.com THE CENTURION 15

Head Coach JOHN KEAR


IN TOWN TODAYBATLEY BULLDOGSBy ALAN EDGE

Last season proved to be anotherexcellent one for Batley

Bulldogs, who finished fifth in theKingstone Press Championship, justone point behind the Centurions.A fantastic play-off run saw them demolish Workington by 68-28,before epic ‘golden point’ victories at Leigh, (15-14) andFeatherstone, (21-20) earned them a Grand Final place againstSheffield Eagles. For much of that game, it looked as though theBulldogs were going to achieve the ultimate victory, until asecond half surge by the Eagles saw them triumph by 19-12.This season, Batley have dispensed with the services of FIFTEENmembers of last season’s squad, with only nine of the squad whowon at Leigh still around. Inevitably, their performances had

attracted the attention of other clubs, some of whom were ableto entice players away, with the offer of better contracts, or moresuccess. Jason Walton and Greg Johnson have departed toSuper League, and Salford Red Devils. We wish them well, withtheir careers there. Top scorer Gareth Moore has joinedFeatherstone Rovers, along with big forwards Keegan Hirst,Liam Walmsley and talisman hooker George Flanagan.Fellow hooker Paul Mennell and wing Gareth Potts havesigned for rivals Halifax, while long-serving centre Danny Maun,half back Tom Hemingway, and forward Ash Lindsay haveopted for Hunslet, Dewsbury, and Keighley respectively. DannyWhitmore has dropped down to Championship One, withOldham, and Craig Potter has done likewise with York. RyanEsders and Adam Scott are, at the time of writing, withoutclubs for 2014.

The Chief ‘Dog Handler’BatleyStatistics –2013Leading Appearances:33 – Walton; 31 – Hirst, Rowe; 30 – Black, Smith, Bretherton,Flanagan, Davies; 28 – Greenwood, Johnson.Leading Tries:19 – Greenwood; 18 – Johnson; 13 – Flanagan; 10 – Walton, Moore. 9 – Potts,Campbell, Black.Leading Goals:98 – Hemingway; 57 – Moore.Highest Home Attendance:2,067 v Huddersfield Giants;(Challenge Cup) 1,074 v Dewsbury Rams.(Championship)Lowest Home Attendance:484 v Gateshead Thunder;(Challenge Cup) 528 v Barrow Raiders(Championship)Average Home Attendance(All matches) – 771.

The appointment of JohnKear, to the role of HeadCoach at Batley, in 2011was seen as a major coupfor the Bulldogs. Andrightly so, when you lookback at his coachingcareer.John’s first foray intocoaching, was as conditionerat Castleford, where he hadbeen scoreboard operator as aschoolboy, before playing forhis home-town club! His firstHead Coach job was atBramley in 1992, and he thenprogressed into Super League,with Paris St. Germain in 1995.

Kear returned to England in1997, as Head Coach of Sheffield Eagles,taking them to a Premiership semi-final inhis first season. Even better was to comethe following year, with the astonishingChallenge Cup Final victory over red-hotfavourites Wigan. In 1999, Sheffieldentered the ill-fated merger withHuddersfield and, although Kear retainedhis job as Head Coach of the merged team,he soon moved on as Assistant Coach, atWigan, under Stuart Raper.

In 2005, he joined Hull FC,taking them to anotherfamous outsiders’ victory overLeeds Rhinos, in theChallenge Cup Final. Thefollowing year, Kear wassacked by the Humbersideclub, and took over atWakefield Trinity Wildcats.Although he won no trophiesat Wakefield, Kear will alwaysbe fondly remembered byWildcats’ followers forrepeatedly defying the club’sposition as favourites to finishbottom of Super League.Indeed, in 2007 he guidedthem to eighth position, andtwo years later, into the play-offs, via fifth spot.

In 2010, Wakefield prevented him fromjoining Catalans, and the following year hedeparted for Batley.

Kear was appointed Head Coach of France,for one game (a victory) in 1997, and in 2000he coached England to four victories in sixgames. How many recent England coachescan boast a 67% success rate, I wonder?!

Kear is also a widely respected mediapundit.

John Kear - with hair -as a Castleford player.

Vinny Finigan – Irish international wingFinigan (24) started his career at Bradford,where he demonstrated his scoring abilitywith four tries from five appearances,including two on debut against Salford, in2010. Lack of opportunities in 2011 ledFinigan to move to Sheffield, where his paceand determination quickly endeared him tothe Eagles’ fans and he bagged a further 18tries in 29 appearances. Again, limitedopportunities have led to a move to Batley,where he should prove to be an excellentreplacement for Greg Johnson.

Scott Leatherbarrow – the 23 year-oldscrum half has joined from Keighley, wherehe scored 4 tries and 55 goals, in his 24starts. Leatherbarrow’s career started on theright side of the Pennines at Wigan St.Patricks, where he gained England honours atUnder 15 and 16 level. Leatherbarrow wasquickly snapped up by Wigan Warriors, whosent him out to South Wales Scorpions ondual registration in 2012. Frustration at thelack of opportunities at Wigan, led to lastseason’s move to Keighley. Leatherbarrow’space and creativity, allied to his kickingprowess, should see him slot into the rolevacated by Gareth Moore.

Lee Paterson – At 32, Paterson is the oneexception to the low age-profile of JohnKear’s signings. However, three-quarterPaterson has proved to be a prolific scorer inhis seven years at Halifax, as we at Leighhave found on more than one occasion.Paterson will be expected to share the goal-kicking duties with Leatherbarrow.

Anthony Nicholson – The 23 year-old hasbeen brought in from Leigh, to cover thedepartures of Mennell and Flanagan. ‘Ant’spent four years at Leigh, making 45 firstteam appearances, and registering 8 tries.During that four years, he waited patiently fora regular first team spot, but being the under-study to Bob Beswick and Sean Penkywicz,

must have resigned Nicholson to lookelsewhere to seek the first team rugby hedeserves. The former Leigh Miners-Ranger isnoted for his fitness, work rate and speed offthe mark, and will need to be carefullywatched today.

Brad Brennan – At just 20, Brennan is asuperbly built prop, who is noted for hisstrength and mobility. The former Warringtonjunior made 36 appearances for Barrow,scoring three tries – two of them againstLeigh, with whom he was linked, in the‘close’ season.

Adam Gledhill – The 21 year-oldprop/second row was under John Kear withWakefield Academy, before moving on toGold Coast Titans Under 20’s. On his recentreturn to the UK, Gledhill was pursued by anumber of Super League clubs, but opted torenew his relationship with coach Kear.Gledhill is reported to have ‘explosive’ go-forward, as well as being a good kicker.

Joe Chandler – Utility forward Chandler(25) has been around the Championshipsince his departure from the Leeds Academy,in 2010, when he made 28 appearances forOldham, (8 tries) and then played 25 gamesfor Halifax, (10 tries) before moving toDewsbury (5 appearances) late in 2012. Last

season he was a regular at Keighley, scoringthree tries in 25 games.

Sam Scott – Second-row Scott started hiscareer at Sheffield, where he made 32appearances in 2011/2012. Last season hewas a regular in the relegated York team,amassing four tries from 22 appearances.

Luke Blake – Hooker Blake (24) has beenbrought back from a year in the amateurgame, after clocking up more than fiftyappearances with Dewsbury. In 2009, heplayed twice in Super League for Kear’sWakefield side.

Who’s New at The Mount Pleasant Stadium?

Scott Leatherbarrow in action for formerclub Keighley

Hooker Anthony Nicholson needs nointroduction to Leigh fans.

Brad Brennan in Barrow colours

A first glance at the Batley squad, (onpage 15) reveals a large group oftwenty seven players. However, oncloser examination, seven of thoseplayers are dual-registered fromHuddersfield Giants. Whilst John Kearused his ‘duals’ very astutely lastseason, he will be at the mercy of‘parent’ club Huddersfield Giants overhis use of the following young SuperLeague players:

Anthony Mullally – Prop Mullally (22)has ten Super League appearances underhis belt with the Giants, added to thirteenlast term with the Bulldogs, for whom hescored four tries, en route to a Grand Finalappearance. The 6’ 5” giant representedIreland in the 2013 RL World Cup.

Jacob Fairbank – Fairbank is anotheryoung prop (23) who has Super Leagueexperience at Huddersfield, London, andBradford, prior to making eightappearances for the Bulldogs, last season.

Josh Johnson – Coach Kear clearly wantsto have sufficient players available in the‘grunt’ position this season, judging by yetanother dual registration prop fromHuddersfield. Although only 19, Johnsonhad two Super league appearances to hiscredit, last season.

Peter Aspinall – Second row Aspinall isalso 19 and has debuted for the Giants,following graduation from the club’sacademy ranks. He was capped by Englandunder 18’s.

Ben Blackmore – The 20 year-old wingermade his Giants’ debut in 2011and scoredtwo tries against Castleford the followingseason. Last season he played as a ‘dual’for both Doncaster and Batley.

Jake Connor – Centre Jake played twoSuper League games last year, scoring in hisdebut against Bradford, then againstWarrington.


A VIEW FROM UNDER A FLAT CAPBy ALAN EDGEViews expressed in this article are not necessarily those of the Leigh Centurions club, or its Directors!

PRE-SEASON ACTION PHOTOSAction from the pre-season

home games against WiganWarriors, Salford Red Devils,and Warrington Wolves. Photos courtesy of RLPix.com

A brilliant break and offload by Anthony Batesets up Liam Kay's try against Salford.

New loan signing Kurt Haggerty offloads inthe tackle against Warrington.

Good Deal, Bad Deal?“When we all met in Manchester, after RLWC, to celebrategreat success, my belief was we were only beginning thenext part of our RL journey. The last thing I believed wasthat we had peaked.” That was the disbelieving message from Premier Sports’ CEO RichardWebb, to his production team, after SKY snaffled the RL broadcastingrights for Championship rugby.

The new SKY deal (see page 24 for more details) seems to be anexcellent one for rugby league in this country, although it hasprovoked a few interesting reactions.

• The mystery over which night Premier Sports was due to betelevising Championship games has been solved – they won’t be!Following the SKY announcement, Premier decided to take hometheir bat and ball and not grace our grounds again. In many ways,that’s a pity, as Premier had a highly successful World Cup.However, their plea that they were losing money televising matchescut no ice with Championship clubs, who were receiving noremuneration, or compensation, from the deal.

• The five year deal appears to offer a financial increase of 57% onthe current deal with SKY. That’s a pretty impressive hike.

• Only one club voted against the deal. That was Salford, whereMarwan Koukash voiced his concerns and acted accordingly.

• Wigan chairman Ian Lenagan has since made very public hisconcerns, that the clubs acted in haste, too soon into the currentcontract, (which still has three years to run) without going out tocompetitive tender, especially with new guys BT possibly ready toenter the fray. All valid points, but rather strange to be raising themafter he had voted IN FAVOUR of accepting the deal! Hisexplanation? “I voted Wigan in favour of accepting the dealbecause it was clear that financially-challenged clubs wouldsupport it.”

• Those “financially-challenged” clubs may just have been swayed bythe promise of an immediate, up-front payment of £300k from SKY.

‘Champion’ Aussies“All our best heroes are losers,” according to Australianradio presenter, Richard Glover.Recent press reports involving top NRL players tend to support Mr.Glover’s view. Aussies probably can’t wait for the new season to start,so that newspaper headlines will be about on-field activities, ratherthan off-field misdemeanours.During the recent World cup, we had the story of Billy Slater’s latenight scuffle in Manchester, the tale of prop Josh Papilii being held upat gun-point, at a cash machine, (“I was in the wrong place at thewrong time!”) and an un-named drunken Aussie player leaving hisbath running, and flooding the hotel rooms below, whilst narrowly

escaping drowning!TEN Aussie club players have appeared in court on charges ofviolence, with one jailed, and another two narrowly escaping prison,

on ‘good behaviour’ bonds. Not thatbad conduct is restricted to the players– NRL referee Gavin Morris is underinvestigation for punching touch judgeTerry Pascoe at a New Year’s Eve party!Now that conjures up a delightfulimage – can you just picture PhilBentham brawling with touch judges ina SL game, while the players attemptto separate them?

Eagles grounded“All men are created equal – some work harder in pre-season.” – Emitt Smith, former NFL running back.I imagine that most Championship players envy their SL counterpartsin close season. I do not refer to SL pre-season being a soft touch –it’s more a question of where that training takes place. WhereasChampionship players are taken to such exotic locations as Formbybeach, or Rivington, their SL peers are jetted off to Florida, or SouthAfrica, to enjoy ‘warm weather’ training – which must stand them inideal stead for the February start to SL!One exception to the ‘stay at home’ Championship clubs though, was2013 Champions Sheffield Eagles, who decided on a jaunt to theSouth of France, aiming to take in a game against Elite League leadersLimoux. Unfortunately, their plans were thwarted by an air trafficcontroller’s strike. It’s the second year running that Eagles’ Frenchtraining plans have been scuppered – last season’s game at Limouxhad to be called off because of a waterlogged pitch!Perhaps Formby and Rivington do have a lot going for them!

Experience v Inexperience“Rookies talk rubbish,” says Indonesian author Toba Beta, inhis best-selling tome, ‘My Father Was An Astronaut’. Being a ‘Flat Capper’, I am of course no user of Twitter, and wouldn’tknow a ‘hashtag’ from a ‘handle’. However, I can read about Twitter,and came across this exchange, between two owners of SooperDooper League clubs.Salford’s Marwan Koukash, who is new to our Game, tweeted,(twittered?) “One person I should really thank is my wife@MandyKoukash (strange Christian name that - @Mandy?) forallowing me to spend her house keeping money on recruiting morequality players.” A reply wasn’t long in coming, from a man who is vastly more familiarwith the ways of Rugby League, (and maybe marriage) Hull KR’s longsuffering Neil Hudgell – “You mean you’ve actually told her?! You arefar braver than me!”

Gavin Morris demonstrates his famous left hook.

A scorching break by BobBeswick in the Wigan game

Ryan Brierley scored in each of the homegames. here's his try against Wigan.


LEIGH CENTURIONS SQUAD 2014


PRE-SEASON ACTIONMore action from the

pre-season games at LSV. for further action shots, visitthe website www.rlpix.comand follow the links to theCenturions games.

Ryan Brierley on the way to a spectacularteam try against Warrington.

Adam Higson was also amongst the tries.This is his effort against Wigan.

Matt Sarsfieldattempts to roundSalford's Andrew Dixon.

Tom Spencer feels the crunch againstWarrington.

MORE COMMERCIAL NEWSTODAY’S MAIN MATCH SPONSOR

For the opening match of the 2014 KingstoneChampionship campaign, we are delighted to welcome,as our main match sponsor, long-standing localCenturions’ partner, AB Sundecks.AB Sundecks was established in 2001 when Managing Director,Derek Beaumont, was introduced to a brand new concept indecking. At that time wooden decking was gaining momentum as acost effective way of enhancing gardens and holiday homes acrossthe country. Whilst this was going on Derek was busy trying toconvince his business partner that PVC was the future in decking!By developing a product that could be manipulated, designed andproduced in a variety of ways to suit every type of client or projectand install a maintenance free alternative to wood, AB Sundecksbegan to revolutionise the decking world and subsequently becamea limited company in 2007.AB Sundecks have come a very long way over the years.Commitment to the product in the early days, reinvesting profit,listening to its customers and working hand in hand night and daywith leading manufacturers AB Sundecks are able to produce afinished product more distinct than any other in its market and canprove that AB Sundecks are producing the superior deckingsolution. All of our decks come with a 10 year guarantee and the only waywe can fully protect this is by building our decks on a maintenance-free galvanised steel frame.You will never find wood anywhere on an AB Sundeck. It is a well-known fact that timber rots, so a steel sub-frame is the only way toensure that your deck exceeds its 10 years and complies with firesafety regulations. This also ensures that any deck may be moved,re-sited or extended with minimal disruption or risk of damage.

Get the most out of your leisure time by investing in an ABSundeck. With an AB Sundeck you are guaranteed a personalservice every step of the way from design through to completionand beyond.Our range of products includes:• Garden decking• Steps• Disabled Ramp Access• Balustrades• Fencing• A complete range of accessories

Benefits of our products are:• Wide range of maintenance free deck board options• Variety of handrails and balustrades in complementing effects

and colour match options• No splitting, cracking, warping or rotting• No painting, staining or oiling• Resists weather damage, mildew and moss• Environmentally considerate• Personal design service availableFor more information on AB Sundecks, please visit ourwebsite, on www.absundecks.co.uk or call us on 01204 709029


Abraham Lincoln once said, “Thebest way to predict your future is

to create it,” and I believe that’s justwhat the RFL has done, with its newstructure for the game in thiscountry. By adopting a revolutionary new format for the First Utility SuperLeague and the Kingstone Press Championships, and pathwaysbetween the leagues, allied to a new television deal with SKY, theRFL has now paved the way for clubs in the UK to see a future.Hopefully, the new competitive format will create an upsurge inthe interest of supporters and potential sponsors, in our Game,which had, in my view, been steadily stagnating. Only the top halfdozen Super League teams appeared to have anything to play for,with the rest of Super League, and the Championships merelygoing through the motions. The future was there for all to see – afantastic sport seemingly dying a slow death.

THE NEW STRUCTUREApparently the Superleague clubs only votedin the new structure bythe slimmest ofmargins, by 7 votes to 6, with Catalans abstaining.However, I get the feeling that most clubs did support thenew structure, but the ‘antis’ were looking for gettingmore control of the Sport’s governance.Not all details of the new structure have been made public,especially in relation to the Championship clubs but, judging fromthe reaction of some of those clubs, when the deal was explainedto them last week, I think it’s fair to say they support the newstructure. Featherstone CEO Craig Poskitt commented, “All atFeatherstone are excited by recent developments and incentivisedby the new structures being put in place.” Leigh director DerekBeaumont was equally enthusiastic, stating that “I would like tocongratulate Nigel Wood and his team for all their hard work tobring this format to life. They have given the game a heartbeat andan opportunity to all to become masters of their own destinies. Itwas talk of the new structure that re-engaged me personally withrugby league as there was the vision of a clear pathway to achieveover time in a controlled measured manner as any business wouldexpect to grow. I sincerely hope that the innovative structure re-engages many more business men, sponsors and spectators intheir droves to put the great game of rugby league up at the top ofthe sporting tree.”So, here is what we do know about the new structure:-• At the end of 2014 season, two clubs will be relegated from

Super League, creating a twelve team league for 2015. Thosetwo teams will be the ones ending the season in 13th and14th places in the league table.

• Five teams will be relegated from the Championship, and one

promoted from Championship One at the end of 2014,creating a twelve team league for 2015.

• In 2015, after 23 rounds of fixtures in Super League and theChampionship, (including a ‘Magic Weekend’ fixture) the twoleagues of twelve, will be divided into three leagues of eight,based on league placings.

• The top eight teams will take part in the usual play-off system.The middle eight will then play each other once, with the topthree gaining automatic promotion to Super League for 2016.The fourth and fifth teams will then play-off for the right to gointo Super League in 2016.

• Presumably, the bottom tier of eight clubs will then be joinedby the four unsuccessful middle tier clubs, to form the 2016lower group of twelve.

• It is envisaged that Championship One will consist of fourteenteams, in 2015. (the eight remaining after 2014, plus fiverelegated from the Championship, plus one new team)

THE NEW TV DEALIn his track Purple Haze, Jimi Hendrix sang the line,“Excuse me while I kiss the sky,” and RFL CEO Nigel Woodmust have felt like doing just that, when he secured thenew Sky TV deal for 2017-21.The deal has been criticised, most notably by Salford supremoMarwan Koukash, and Wigan owner Ian Lenagan – on thegrounds that we still have three years of the current deal to go andthe contract wasn’t put out to competitive tender – but all theother clubs have welcomed it with open arms. Judging by theterms that have been made public by the media, it’s not difficult tounderstand why it’s been welcomed so enthusiastically.• The deal is for £200m for 2017/21, compared with the current

five year deal of £127m – an increase of 57%.• Super League clubs will receive an annual £1.825m, compared

with about £1.2m currently. The new payment will,coincidentally, cover the current salary cap maximum.

• The SL clubs will receive an immediate up-front payment of£300k – a godsend to those in financial difficulties.

• The two relegated SL clubs in 2014, will receive ‘parachute’payments of about £787k.

• The top two Championship clubs in 2014 (presumably basedon league placings) will receive £500k and £450k.

• The teams finishing third and fourth in the Championship willeach get £200k, fifth and sixth £175k and the rest £150k.Championship clubs currently receive £90k.

• The Championship One clubs will each receive £75k.2014 has been described as a season of transition, butwhen you see what’s at stake, it should be a cracker!

THE FUTURE IS BRIGHTBy ALAN EDGE

LEIGH CENTURIONSCOMMUNITYFOUNDATIONBy TREVOR BARTON

The victorious Wigan & Leigh College team. Photo courtesy of King Pix.

The Pathway progresses well. It ispleasing to report that the Wigan &

Leigh College at the LSV are going tothe finals of North West rugby cupafter thrashing rivals RunshawCollege, last year’s league leaders. The game ended 32-0 to us and this came on the back of a thrillingquarter final victory over Wigan Warriors Education Academy with alate drop goal.The team will now face Hopwood Hall in the final on Wednesday 26thFebruary, at the Thatto Heath Crusaders’ ground. The squad istraining hard for the final, and has benefitted this season fromtraining sessions held by our own John Duffy and Leigh Centurions’captain Stuart Littler.Gareth Hayes, Sport tutor and rugby coach at the College, said:“We’re so proud of the team for getting to the final. The lads haveworked incredibly hard this season, and the team is going fromstrength to strength. It is especially pleasing to beat two teams thatare in leagues above us. Our Rugby Development Programme enables all our students whostudy sport to take part in the team, regardless of level of study, andthat gives us a strong level of talent to choose from. We’re hoping to build on our current momentum in the coming yearsand progress towards the higher leagues.”Three of our apprentices played in the last game and it is the abilityfor our apprentices to play quality rugby that makes the pathwayspecial.This September will see the current apprentices go onto a level threeB Tech having qualified for RFL level 2 coaching badge and being firstaid, safeguarding and defibrillator trained.

There will be an open evening for our new apprentice posts, whichstart in August, for those interested and their parents on the 3rdMarch at the LSV. Boys and girls, who have finished Year 11 and wishto apply, need a good attitude with a passion for playing or coachingRL, and a good work ethic.There will be a three day half term camp for children at theLSV starting on 17th February - £7 per day or £20 for allthree. Contact LSV on 01942 487894.


LISA NEWS From LYNDA PIKE

LISA is sorry for any inconvenience caused by thelate cancellation of the coach to Halifax.Circumstances of the pitch condition, following continuoustorrential rain, were beyond our control and we could onlycancel the coach after a pitch inspection on Friday afternoon.

Barrow TravelThe next trip is to Barrow, for a round two Championshipfixture on 23 February. Prices will be £10.00 for LISAmembers and £11.50 for non-members. The coach will leaveLSV at 10:00 a.m., St Mary's Way at 10.05 a.m. and Atherton10.15 a.m.

Places can be booked from the retail outlet on Leigh Market.

LISA Needs You!LISA are looking for people who can get to home games earlyand set up a table in the Legends bar, to give out leafletsand membership application forms to try and get moremembers. Anyone interested contact me [email protected] Also you can join via the website www.leigh-isa.org.ukThanks, Lynda

Junior Centurionswith SHARON DILLONJunior Centurions 2014The Junior Centurions are bigger and better for 2014!We have a new welcome pack, for every member,which can be collected at any time from mainreception. Those that aren’t collected will be postedout. We now have 200 members, and aim to increase thatnumber as the season progresses.

February BirthdaysTerri Whalley will be thirteen on 15 February. Thomas Rangeley was eleven on 3 FebruaryLeah Simpkin will be nine on 23 February. Jack Costello was eight on 2 FebruarySam Cozens will be ten on 29 February. (I bet Sam looks forward to leap years for a’ real’birthday!)Sam Monaghan will be eleven on 27 February. Millie Baldwin will be nine on 23 FebruaryJosh Monaghan will be eleven on 28 February and Max Brown was seven on 12 February.

Car StickersCar stickers, priced at £2 are available from the clubretail outlet at Leigh market Hall.

Junior LinksThere are links to the Junior Centurions page onwww.leighcenturions.co.uk and onwww.leighlife.com for any news or information.Follow @jnrcenturions on Twitter for the latest updates in the J.C's club.

Every Game MattersIT’S a common theme trawled out ahead of newcampaigns, that this season is going to be the“biggest, best and most exciting ever”. But for theKingstone Press Championships this year, that mightjust be true.

Principally because there is somuch at stake for clubs ahead ofthe sport’s sweeping restructuringfrom 2015 onwards. When thegame moves to two top divisionsof twelve that split into eightmidway through the campaign -with a further division of fourteenclubs below - it will embrace abold new era.

To get there we need a season of transition – but rather thanbe a year to forget, 2014 could be one that shapes the long-term future of clubs at this level.To make it into the second coveted league of twelve, youhave to finish in the top nine of the Championship this year,after it was confirmed last week that five clubs will berelegated. As such, several clubs will be thinking top ninerather than top eight, which is what the Championship play-offs will remain this season.It also means that one win – or even a bonus point – could

be the difference between relegation, or still being in with achance to win this year’s Grand Final. A scary prospect forcoaches – but one that should excite supporters.On top of that, we have the recent announcement of prizemoney in the Championship this season. The top two clubs in this year’s Championship will receive£500k and £450k respectively, with the payout droppingdramatically to £200k for the third and fourth-placed sides,£175k for fifth and sixth and £150k for the rest. That’s apretty huge drop between the top two and the rest, whichshould ensure a thrilling race at the top as well as thebottom.Moving into Championship One, there is just as muchon the line.That is because the winners of this year’s Grand Final – whichwill take place after a top five play-off – will receive the finalplace in the second tier for the 2015 season. That means thatthis year’s Grand Final will have more at stake than for manyyears – elevation means the prospect of taking on SuperLeague clubs in 2015, as opposed to remaining in the bottomdivision.In short, a phrase that the RFL was striving to achieve withtheir restructuring should be relevant a season early – “everygame will matter in 2014.”And that has to be an exciting prospect for everyone involvedin the Sport.

CHAMPIONSHIP TALK By GARETH WALKER

of Rugby Leaguer & League Express


LEIGHCENTURIONSSQUAD & SPONSORS - 2014 1 Gregg McNally

Marstrut

5 Alex BrownCorlett Electrical

9 Bob BeswickAsk Platt Office Supplies

13 Sam BarlowThe Shield Group

17 Matt GardnerLiniar

4 Tom ArmstrongJunior Centurions

8 Tom SpencerL.I.S.A.

12 Tommy GouldenCDA Business services

16 Martin AspinwallC & S Tyres UK

3 Stuart LittlerMarstrut

7 Ryan BrierleyO�Neills

11 Matthew SarsfieldPam Ties

15 Liam KayAB Sundecks

2 STEVE MADENJMS INTERIORS

6 Martyn RidyardIntegrated ControlSolutions LTD

10 Oliver WilkesProf. BarrIE Dale & MRS AUDREY DALE

14 Sean PenkywiczHFL

22 Adam HigsonImpact Insurance

26 Ryan DuffyDR. DOUBLET-STEWART

KURT HAGGERTYK. DARLINGTON & SON

20 Andy ThornleyTOMMY SALE MBE

25 Michael OstickLiniar

29 Jake EmmittEVANS HALSHAW

19 Mick GovinAB Sundecks

24 Craig BriscoeKREMPFAST/BRIAN HILL FAMILY

28 Joe BullockProf. BarrIE Dale & MRS AUDREY DALE

18 Jamie ActonC S Civils andGroundworks

23 Jonathan PownallGrada UK

27 Anthony BateTaylor Drilling


TODAY’S MASCOTS

Today’s mascot isRocky Beaumont,who is four yearsold and attendsFirst Steps Nursery,in Pennington.Rocky’s favouriteplayer is SeanPenkywicz.

We hope Rocky hasa fabulous day asofficial mascot.

For each home game, the clubwill be inviting a junior teamfrom local clubs, to act as teammascots. Today it is the turn ofLeigh Miners Rangers Under 8’s.

The team of school year threes trainat 6 p.m. on Wednesday evenings inBedford Sports Hall, and at 9.30a.m. on Saturday at Sutton Park.(facing Bedford High) The club wouldwelcome any newcomers along tosample the fun, structured sessionsthat are carried out by qualified,‘safe-guard’ certified RFL coaches.

For information about any of LeighMR’s teams, in school years one toeleven, please visit their website atwww.leighminersrangers.net

We hope that all members ofLeigh MR Under 8’s enjoy theirday today.

Official Match Day Mascot

TEAM MASCOTS


Specialists in Mechanical, Electrical and Public Health.ical and Public HealtElectrSpecialis

ical and Public Healtts in MecSpecialis

ical and Public Healthanical, ts in Mec

h.ical and Public Healthanical,


LOVE RUGBYLEAGUE

The prevailing narrative of rugbyleague is one of things gradually

getting worse and worse. Inevitably, the ineptitude of the RFL will lead to less and lesssponsorship revenue, less and less media coverage, the lowering ofstandards on the pitch, and finally to the death of rugby league. The narrative has become so prevalent that even what at first glanceappear to be wholly positive news stories can be turned intoopportunities for bewailing the future of our game.For example, last month it was announced that the RFL hadsucceeded in extending Sky Sports coverage of Super League until2021, while also increasing the amount Sky would pay each year.Wigan chairman Ian Lenagan, however, described this as a “dreadfulcommercial decision”.This isn’t to say that everything about the deal is fantastic. Lenagancould be right when he wonders whether the RFL could haveincreased the amount paid by negotiating closer to the end of thepresent deal, or by involving other broadcasters such as BT Sports. Hecould have added that the dealing exclusively with Sky causedPremier Sports to pull out of this season’s Championship.Yet balance is important. It’s frightening that we’ve got to the stagewhen rugby league can boast a new and improved broadcasting deal,but some people can’t see a single positive.You have to feel a little sorry for the RFL, even if none of us agreewith what they do all the time. They get criticised for failing to havenew sponsorships when the old ones expire; they get criticised forfailing to keep World Cup games on Sky Sports. Then they succeed inwinning a new deal to keep Super League on Sky for more money,and it’s taken as further evidence of their incompetence.Being positive all the time is no better (or worse) than being negative

all the time. But for balance, here’s St Helens chairman EamonnMcManus in last Monday’s League Express: “I’ve been involved forfifteen years and I’ve never been more confident about the future ofour game. I think we could have got to where we are quicker andmore effectively, because it certainly doesn’t make sponsornegotiations easier, that is for sure. But now we’re entering into atime where a virtuous circle is being created: new sponsors come in,better players get produced and crowds invariably increase. Everyoneis entitled to their opinion, but I just look at the facts, and all the factsappear to be positive.”Is there any evidence for McManus’ vision of a “virtuous circle”?There is some. Super League finally has a title sponsor, First Utility,and an associate sponsor, Specsavers (possibly as a direct result of theWorld Cup). Kingstone Press have extended their sponsorship of theChampionships to encompass the National Conference League. Skyhas agreed to cover Super League and Championship until 2021; theBBC will cover internationals until the 2017 World Cup, and haveincreased Super League coverage on 5Live Sports Extra. The Englandteam looks much stronger than at the last World Cup, while WorldCup crowds surpassed all expectations.That said, top players like Sam Tomkins and Sam Burgess are movingto the NRL or rugby union. Last season attendances in Super Leaguewere down on average by 958, and in the Championship by 165.Not everything then is brilliant. But McManus can see what otherscan’t or won’t see: that there are positives, and the potential for acycle of improvement based on those positives. Not everything in thegarden is rosy, but there are some in rugby league who need to learnthat this doesn’t mean everything in the garden is rotten.

[email protected]: @Tony_Williams88

Editor: - Tony Williams is a leading journalist on the excellent ‘Love Rugby League’ website.

Saints' Eamon McManus - positive about the future.

By TONYWILLIAMS

FACTS & STATSAs the season ‘proper’ only gets underway today, wethought we would take the opportunity to summarisethe pre-season games. There were five games, includingtwo under 20 fixtures, all of which resulted in defeatsfor the Centurions. As can be seen from the score lines,all the games were competitive and should have beenideal preparation for the coming season.

FIRST TEAMLeigh Centurions 28 Wigan Warriors 36 Centurions: Greg McNally, Adam Higson, Stuart Littler, TomArmstrong, Alex Brown, Liam Kay, Ryan Brierley, Oliver Wilkes,Bob Beswick, Ryan Duffy, Matt Sarsfield, Tommy Goulden, SamBarlow. Replacements - Martin Aspinwall, Tom Spencer, AndyThornley, Steve Maden, Matt Gardner, Martin Ridyard, JakeEmmit, Jamie Acton. Tries: Brown; (2) Kay; Higson; Brierley. Goals: Ridyard (4)Referee: Jamie Bloem; Attendance: 2,988

Leigh Centurions 16 Salford Red Devils 26 Centurions: Greg McNally, Adam Higson, Stuart Littler, TomArmstrong, Alex Brown, Marten Ridyard, Ryan Brierley, OliverWilkes, Liam Kay, Tom Spencer, Matt Sarsfield, Tommy Goulden,Sam Barlow. Replacements - Andy Thornley, Anthony Bate,Matt Gardner, Jake Emmit, Jamie Acton, Lewis Foster. Tries: Kay; Ridyard; Brierley. Goals: Ridyard (2)Referee: Warren Turley. Attendance: 1,887

Leigh Centurions 20 Warrington Wolves 34Centurions: Greg McNally; Adam Higson, Stuart Littler, TomArmstrong, Alex Brown; Martyn Ridyard, Ryan Brierley; TomSpencer, Bob Beswick, Ryan Duffy, Matt Sarsfield, Andy Thornley,Sam Barlow. Replacements - Lewis Foster, Chris Hankinson,Jamie Acton, Jake Emmitt, Liam Kay, Kurt Haggerty, Mat Gardner,Anthony Bate, Martin Aspinwall, Steve Maden, Mick Govin.Tries: Higson (2); Brierley; Duffy. Goals: Ridyard (2)Referee: C Kendall. Attendance: 2,139.

UNDER 20’sLeigh based company Marstrut were pleased to help outthe Under 20's for next season by sponsoring their prematch ‘hoodies.’ Leigh director Andy Mazey presented the tops to players MattyPendlebury and Josh Ward, before the Warrington game. CoachPaul Anderson and his talented squad are extremely grateful forthe generous sponsorship, by Marstrut.

Leigh Centurions U20s 24 Rochdale Hornets 28at Leigh EastCenturions Under 20’s: Mike Scrivens, Cameron Pitman, SamPeet, Sam Baggaley, Tyler Spence; Michael Dengate, Josh Ward;Craig Briscoe, Lewis Foster, Joe Bullock, Leon Tatlock, ChrisHankinson, Anthony Bate. Replacements- Josh Adudwumma, Adam Simm, Brad Ashurst,Elliot Liku, Frankie Halton, Eze Harper.Tries: Pitman; Peet; Foster; Ashurst. Goals: Ward (4).

Leigh Centurions Under 20’s 12 North Wales Crusaders 24 at Leigh EastCenturions Under 20’s: Mike Scrivens, Steve Maden, ChrisHankinson, Sam Peet, Cameron Pitman, Matthew Pendlebury,Josh Ward, Ryan Duffy, Michael Dengate, Joe Bullock, CraigBriscoe, Andy Thornley, Martin Aspinwall. Replacements - Anthony Bate, Sam Baggeley, Luke Warburton,Frankie Halton, Brad Ashurst, Leon Tatlock, Eze Harper.Tries: Ward, Duffy. Goals: Ward (2).

By ALAN EDGE

Below Left: Ryan Duffy sizes up Logan Tomkins in the Wigangame.Below: Director Andy Mazey presents Matty Pendleburyand Josh Ward with the new hoodies.

Wigan's Ian Lenagan - not happy with the new SKY deal.


Date Opposition CompFebruarySun 16th BATLEY BULLDOGS CHAMPSun 23rd Barrow Raiders CHAMPMarchSun 2nd WHITEHAVEN CHAMPSun 9th Keighley Cougars CHAMPSun 16th Challenge Cup 3 TCC3 Sun 23rd NORTH WALES CRUSADERS CHAMPSun 30th ROCHDALE HORNETS CHAMPAprilSun 6th Challenge Cup 4 TCC4Sun 13th Halifax CHAMPFri 18th SWINTON LIONS CHAMPSun 27th Challenge Cup 5 TCC5MaySun 4th Featherstone Rovers CHAMPSun 11th Dewsbury Rams CHAMPSun 18th DONCASTER CHAMPSun 25th Sheffield Eagles CHAMPJuneSat 1st Workington Town CHAMPSun 8th HALIFAX CHAMPSun 15th BARROW RAIDERS CHAMPSun 22nd Whitehaven CHAMPSun 29th DEWSBURY RAMS CHAMPJulySun 6th SHEFFIELD EAGLES CHAMPSun 13th Doncaster CHAMPSun 20th KEIGHLEY COUGARS CHAMPSun 27th Rochdale Hornets CHAMPAugustSun 3rd Batley Bulldogs CHAMPSun 10th FEATHERSTONE ROVERS CHAMPSun 17th Swinton Lions CHAMPSun 24thSun 31st WORKINGTON TOWN CHAMPSeptemberSun 7th North Wales Crusaders CHAMP

CHAMP = Kingstone Press ChampionshipTCC = Tetleys Challenge Cup

LEIGH CENTURIONSFIXTURES - 2014

SUNDAY 2nd MARCH 2014Kingstone Press

Championship - Round 3

CENTURIONSv

WHITEHAVENKick-Off 3:00 p.m.SEASON TICKETS APPLY

NEXT UP AT LSV

SUNDAY 16th march 2014

TETLEYSCHALLENGE CUP

ROUND 3Details for this possiblehome fixture will be

published in the press andon the club website

All to pay

SUNDAY 23rd MArch 2014Kingstone Press

Championship - Round 5

CENTURIONSv

NORTH WALESCRUSADERS Kick-Off 3:00 p.m.SEASON TICKETS APPLY

Programme designed and printed by Graphic Press 0151 236 8022

LEIGH CENTURIONSSQUAD - 2014 HEAD COACH -

PAUL ROWLEY

No PLAYER SPONSOR

1 Gregg McNally Marstrut

2 Steve Maden JMS Interiors

3 Stuart Littler Marstrut

4 Tom Armstrong Junior Centurions

5 Alex Brown Corlett Electrical

6 Martyn Ridyard Integrated Control Solutions LTD

7 Ryan Brierley O�Neills

8 Tom Spencer L.I.S.A.

9 Bob Beswick Ask Platt Office Supplies

10 Oliver Wilkes Prof. BarrIE Dale & MRS AUDREY DALE

11 Matthew Sarsfield Pam Ties

12 Tommy Goulden CDA Business services

13 Sam Barlow The Shield Group

14 Sean Penkywicz HFL

15 Liam Kay AB Sundecks

16 Martin Aspinwall C & S Tyres UK

17 Matt Gardner Liniar

18 Jamie Acton C S Civils and Groundworks

19 Mick Govin AB Sundecks

20 Andy Thornley TOMMY SALE MBE

21

22 Adam Higson Impact Insurance

23 Jonathan Pownall Grada UK

24 Craig Briscoe KREMPFAST/BRIAN HILL FAMILY

25 Michael Ostick Liniar

26 Ryan Duffy DR. DOUBLET-STEWART

27 Anthony Bate Taylor Drilling

28 Joe Bullock Prof. BarrIE Dale & MRS AUDREY DALE

29 Jake Emmitt EVANS HALSHAW

KURT HAGGERTY K. DARLINGTON & SON

RefereeMr. M. Thomason

Touch JudgesMr. P. Marklove & Mr. T. Owen

OFFICIALS

kingstone press championship round 1 v batley ...derek beaumont and steve openshaw, along with the...

Documents