MORT JETS IN FOR JOY
Super Dan gives Centurions lift-off
DANIEL MORTIMER showed why Leigh flew him halfway round the world mid-season to get the Centurions’ Qualifiers off to a winning start.
The experienced Aussie half-back was seen as a key addition by the club as they attempt to preserve their top-flight status – and scored one try and made two others in an accomplished performance.
With full-back Gregg McNally touching down twice and evergreen skipper Micky Higham typically influential from hooker, Leigh had too much for their gutsy part-time rivals.
Coach Neil Jukes was full of praise for Mortimer’s performance.
Jukes said: “He has that bit of toughness about him – when he comes off the field he looks like he’s had a scrap with about five people, he’s all over the place.
“But he’s a good competitor, his short kicking game was good and he ran well.
“On that left, he executed what we asked in the main, him and Josh Drinkwater were good and when you’re halves are decent, you’ve got a chance.” The Centurions established control with two tries in the opening six minutes, with Mortimer supporting an Atelea Vea break to score, before kicking for McNally’s first.
But Rovers regrouped well to trail by just 6-16 at the break, Darrell Griffin touching down for the home side before McNally sent Mitch Brown over.
But their revival didn’t last long as further tries, after the interval, from Liam Hood, Matty Dawson, Drinkwater and McNally made it comfortable for Centurions – although Misi Taulapapa did respond for Rovers.
Featherstone boss John Duffy said: “In patches we looked real good, but we’ve got some work to do.
“We gave ourselves too much to do at the start of both halves.”
Elsewhere, Catalans saw off visiting London Broncos, with the French side winning a hard-fought game 20-18.