Finally it is season over for battling Centurions
A NIGHTMARE season has finally concluded for Leigh, ending in a heavy 42-10 defeat to Featherstone Rovers in the Betfred Championship Shield Final.
The Centurions were more competitive than the scoreline suggests, or indeed had any right to be considering the fact Kieron Purtill’s side contained a remarkable seven debutants.
Until special dispensation was granted by the RFL for both sides to bring in emergency loan signings, the match had been in considerable doubt – but youngsters from Wigan, St Helens and Castleford were lent to Leigh, while Leeds supplied three young forwards to Featherstone.
Matty Dawson-Jones, captain for the day, opened the scoring for the visitors, but the Centurions spent the bulk of the first half defending their own line, the Rovers attack spearheaded by a former Leigh favourite in Martyn Ridyard.
The home side were level after 15 minutes and took a two-point lead into the break after an Ian Hardman penalty.
Rovers piled on the pressure in the second half, racking up a further six tries, while Leigh could only respond with one touchdown from Jack Owens. Yellow cards for Kevin Larroyer and Jamie Acton compounded the Centurions’ struggles.
Swinton will face Workington Town in a showdown for the final spot in next season’s Championship next weekend.
The Cumbrian side lost yesterday’s League 1 promotion play-off to Bradford, but get a second chance at securing promotion against the Lions, who finished bottom of the Championship.
Chairman Andy Mazey and coach Stuart Littler were in attendance for that match and won the coin toss to decide home advantage.
The fixture will take place at Heywood Road on Sunday, October 14, a 3pm kick-off.