Victory song heard for first time after Leigh win at 17th attempt
Leigh won their first Super League game of the season, at the 17th attempt, to finally give interim coach Kurt Haggerty something to smile about
“I always thought we would get a first win,” Haggerty said, as 12 points in a three-minute spell late on sealed the club’s long-overdue success against lacklustre neighbours Salford at Leigh Sports Village.
“I didn’t know where it was going to come or at what point, but I knew we would win a game. So, I am happy and really pleased for the lads. They have worked really hard through all the adversity.
“In the second half we have been known for falling away from games, but we have been getting better and better. In the first half there was a chance we could have got a few more points on the board, but to come in at half-time being in the lead was a good feeling for the lads.
“I believe in the players and believe in everything we have been doing. The hard work was rewarded today.”
Leigh captain Liam Hood and former Salford prop Adam Sidlow scored decisive late tries, and Craig Mullen added both conversions to finish with 16 points from eight successful kicks, five of them penalties.
Non-playing squad member Tom Spencer led the victory song and Haggerty admitted: “He was the only one who knows the words because we haven’t won for that long. The new boys don’t even know what it sounds like.”
Leigh remain bottom of the table and are still odds-on favourites for relegation.
“We just go forward to the next game and will try to win again,” said Haggerty, whose side face champions St Helens on Thursday.
Ken Sio scored a brace of tries for Salford after winger Rhys Williams and Harvey Livett crossed over, and Krisnan Inu added the extras.
Richard Marshall, the Salford coach, said: “We must congratulate Leigh on their efforts. They played well and deserved to win. It was a tough ask. There was a decent crowd and they got behind their team. They were going to win a game, and unfortunately it was against us.
“I am bitterly disappointed, not just because it’s Leigh but about the way we played and how we managed the game.”
Leigh