Now - Leigh Centurions

PRICE
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KINGSTONE PRESS
Championship
LEIGH
CENTURIONS
v DONCASTER RLFC
sunday 24th February 2013
AT LEIGH SPORTS VILLAGE
Kick Off 3:00pm
FROM THE TOP
By CEO Trevor Barton MBE
WHO’S WHO
At Leigh Centurions
Hon. Life Presidents:
Mr. Tommy Sale MBE,
Mr. Arthur Thomas
Hon. Vice President:
Mr. Andy Burnham MP
Hon. Life Members:
Mr. Brian Bowman,
Mr. Tommy Coleman
Mr. Frank Taylor
Chairman:
Mr. Keith Freer
Directors:
Mr. Phil Coffey;
Mr. John Roddy,
Ms Miranda Barker
Company Secretary:
Mr. John Massey
Chief Executive:
Mr. Trevor Barton MBE
Head Coach:
Mr. Paul Rowley
Club Ambassador:
Mr. Alex Murphy OBE.
Business Manager:
Mr. Rob Parker.
Lottery Manager:
Ms. Christine Brown.
Lottery Co-ordinator:
Mr. Jonathan Simpkin.
Finance Manager:
Ms. Jane Smith.
Club Chaplain:
Mr. Sam Edwards
Webmaster & Ticket Sales:
Mr. Andrew Parkinson.
Honorary Programme Editor:
Mr. Alan Edge
Club Accountants:
Styles & Co.
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THE CE NTURION
Since a week last Wednesday, my life
has been dominated by the subject of
‘Dual Registrations’ – or more likely,
the inability for our Club to have them.
I brought up the subject at the R F L
Championship meeting here at the Sports
Village, and Keith Freer joined me in
challenging the RFL’s position on this matter,
before the whole meeting brought up the
Swinton position.
You will probably have seen Paul Rowley’s
view, which sums up the current ‘use’ of the
system as being “disrespectful”. We totally
agree. Having spent over 30 years in the
community game, I would take it further and
say that this is a decision based on what
some well-heeled individuals want, rather
than what our sport requires.
When our sport is dependent on the decisions
of people whose interests is as fleeting as the
money that they are prepared to spend, then
we have real problems.
For me, the sport comes first and particularly,
all clubs in a competition should play on the
same level playing field. Because we dare to
have ambition, coupled with the decision not
to be dependent upon a white knight, four of
the clubs in the Championship are denied the
opportunity to have dual registered players.
I consider this to be a restraint of trade, and
I’m pushing for
legal advice as to
whether this
decision, which is
clearly immoral, is also illegal.
The defence of “we haven’t broken any rules”
is true, but the rule is wrong in the first place.
Judging by some of the results this over
dependence on ‘duals’ and ‘transfers of
convenience’ does not seem to do you much
good on the pitch either!
Then we are offered the view that we will
have to let it bed in and that any changes will
be made in 2014. If you keep having
accidents because your car is defective, you
get it fixed right now. At least give us the
opportunity to have a couple of ‘duals’ so that
it’s a bit more even, and the RFL can save
face with a minor tweak, rather than an
embarrassing U turn.
Whilst on the question of immorality and
illegality, I am sure that a very small number
of our adult spectators have had a ‘senior
moment’, when they tried to gain entry to the
ground on a junior ticket.
The checks on tickets at the turnstiles will
continue for the immediate future and, when
we know what the size of the problem is, we
will make the appropriate policy with our
colleagues at the L.S.V. Co.
HONOURS
CLUB RECORDS
Championship Winners:
1905-06
Division One Champions:
1981-82
Division Two Champions:
1977-78, 1985-86, 1988-89
Challenge Cup Winners:
1920-21, 1970-71
Lancashire Cup Winners:
1952-53, 1955-56, 1970-71, 1981-82
BBC2 Floodlit Trophy:
1969-70, 1972-73
Promotion To Top Division achieved
(Not as Champions):
1963-64, 1975-76, 1991-92
Other Promotion season:
1997 (Division 3 to Division 2)
Northern Ford Minor Premiership Winners:
2001
Trans-Pennine Cup Winners:
2001
Arriva Trains Cup Winners:
2004
LHF National League 1 Champions:
2004
LHF National League 1 Grand Final
Winners: 2004
Northern Rail Cup Winners:
2006, 2011
Biggest 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.leighcenturions.com
FROM THE
EDITOR
Today’s Visitors
This afternoon, we
bid a warm ‘Leyther’
welcome to the
players, officials,
and supporters of
Doncaster RLFC, on
their return to the Championship.
The Dons were promoted from
Championship One as table toppers and
Champions, following their exciting Grand
Final victory over Barrow Raiders.
Doncaster have started the season in
promising style, with a close fought home
defeat, against a strong Dewsbury side,
followed by a good away victory against
their main rivals from last season –
Barrow Raiders – and a convincing home
win over another of last season’s
promoted teams, Workington Town.
Doncaster were last in the Championship
in 2009, when they gave us all sorts of
problems, before we won 24-18 at the
Keepmoat, and were somewhat fortunate
to win, by 31-28 at home. We can expect
them to give us another stern test today.
New Sponsors
It is with great
delight, and not
a little relief that
we can report
that our thriving
competition has
attracted a new
sponsor, to take over from the
Co-operative.
Welcome to Kingstone Press Cider, who
have signed a two year deal as sponsors
of the Championships.
www.leighlife.com
By ALAN EDGE
Kingstone Press Cider is the major brand
of Aston Manor Cider, the second largest
cider maker in the UK, and will also be an
official partner of the England Rugby
League team. The partnership will see the
popular cider brand gain exposure via instadia perimeter and programme
advertising; a television broadcast
presence on Premier Sports and a high
profile on the Kingstone Press
Championships website during the most
geographically diverse Rugby League
campaign in history.
Kingstone Press will also invest a
significant budget to work with the RFL
and Championships clubs to promote their
brand, the competitions, the sport and
England Rugby League. With three new
clubs – Hemel Stags, Oxford and
University of Gloucestershire All Golds joining the professional ranks for the first
time and both Championship and
Championship One undergoing a
restructuring process for 2013, Kingstone
Cider will play an integral role in widening
the competition’s exposure in new and
existing regions.
RFL Chief Operating Officer Ralph Rimmer
said: “We are delighted to welcome
Kingstone Press Cider and Aston Manor
on board as the official title sponsor of the
2013 Championships. This exciting
competition continues to grow in stature
and with a new geographical footprint for
2013, it’s clear that it has become an even
more attractive commercial proposition.
Every year the Championships deliver
some of the most enthralling and
enjoyable action in British sport, with the
competition’s Grand Finals day a true
highlight in the Rugby League calendar,
and I am sure fans can expect even more
entertainment with the Kingstone Press
Championships.”
Aston Manor Cider Managing Director
Gordon Johncox said: “We are excited to
have joined the Rugby League family and
eager to work with the RFL as they look to
extend the appeal and audience for such a
great sport. It is testament to our faith in
the brand and what can be delivered by
working with the RFL that we have
committed a record level of investment
with this announcement.”
Welcome to Kingstone Press, and thank
you to the previous sponsors, the Cooperative, who have been excellent
sponsors since 2007.
North Leigh
Park Group
Centurions’ sponsors North Leigh
Park Group Limited would like to
welcome the latest beneficiaries of
its Match Day Experience Package.
For the rest of the
2013 Kingstone Press
Championship season
at LSV, North Leigh
Park Group Limited
will be offering local
accredited
organisations exclusive use of its
corporate box, through the new ‘One and
Nine Club’ offer, whereby 9 junior
members, when accompanied by one
adult, will collectively pay only £15 per
game.
For more information, please
contact [email protected].
THE CE NTURION
3
PAUL’S PAGE
HEAD COACH PAUL ROWLEY
GIVES US HIS PERSPECTIVE
Head Coach Paul Rowley talks to Dave Parkinson. First Dave asked Paul for his
reaction to the performance against Hunslet.
Well Paul you wanted a response from
your side; do you think you got it?
Absolutely, we were put to the sword and
asked ourselves a lot of questions. We were
pretty outstanding - albeit we went off the
rails a little bit offensively in the second half. I
thought our defence was top notch. All over
the park the word ‘desperate’ is one we've
used in the dressing room. I wanted us to be
aggressive and take the game by the scruff of
the neck.
It's a big thing to keep a side to nil in
this division isn't it?
It's very seldom done as well; we can be
proud of that.
You were able to work through a few
different combinations too?
Yeah, that was good, particularly good in the
first half. We followed the plan pretty
meticulously and we took what was on offer
as identified midweek in our preview of
Hunslet. In the second half we got a little
away from that and were more lateral. We
lost a lot of good rhythm, but we were still
able to post some good tries, some
instinctive tries. I found it quite comical how
a couple of spectators got excited when
Hunslet turned the ball over on a couple of
occasions, and we looked like we did
something mad! I think Finnigan put a kick
in and something else happened down the
other side. Just so that everyone is aware, we
were trying to take advantage of the
‘freeplay’.
It looks like a good addition that
‘freeplay’; it seems to allow players the
chance to express themselves doesn't
it?
I'm dying for us to come up with something
off the back of it; we nearly did on that right
edge. It's probably where we need to be a bit
smarter. It's a fine line between taking the
advantage you've gained and going all or
nothing. It's certainly opening up the game.
And now to Whitehaven. It's always
tough going up there, but you came
away with the win and a great result in
the end?
To get a win in Whitehaven isn't easy to
come by, as recent history has suggested.
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THE CE NTURION
Martyn Ridyard's attempt to
take advantage of a free play
almost came off
Simon Finnigan's attempt to do
likewise was a bit too ambitious
We've had some good tussles with
Whitehaven. I'm delighted with the win. It
was a real gutsy performance from the boys.
We had 101 excuses why we could have
been slow out of the blocks and we were a
bit heavy on the legs, but I think they really
dug in, in particular our forwards. We had a
lot of work to do on both edges. It was a real
team effort and it needed to be.
In the second half Leigh were put
under plenty of pressure and answered
most of the questions that were
asked?
I think we put ourselves under pressure to be
honest; there were quite a lot of penalties.
It's tough here, you are never going to win
the 50-50s, and you are never going to win
the rucks. There are not as many Leigh fans
here and plenty of noisy Whitehaven fans.
They were putting a lot of pressure on the
referee but we got some good rubs of the
green in the second half after a quiet word in
his ear.
I think Whitehaven did a real good job of
applying pressure on us but we answered all
their questions and again, I think that's down
to commitment and effort. There are still
some areas we need to work on. I thought
we were loose around the ruck in how we
started the game and I thought we went
away from things a little bit but we are
getting better each week, I think.
There were some real good field kicks
as well which kept them pinned back
at times?
Yeah exactly, I think we went off that on a
couple of occasions and it shows. That is
when you put yourself under pressure. When
you roll through your sets, you get back-toback sets and your completions are right, and
the lads know it. It can be a real simple game
but sometimes things become too tempting
and you go off plan a little bit. Sometimes
you have to resist temptation, stick with the
process and you get to have fun at the end.
On the plus side we deprived them of a
bonus point, under considerable pressure. We
are delighted. We took six points out of last
week and we are quite happy with that.
Are you where you wanted to be after
that disappointing start against
Featherstone?
When you look back, was this a good thing?
It gave us a reality check. We are still a new
side in terms of some of the personnel. I'm
learning about them and they are learning
about each other. Every side will get more
fluent as the year goes on. The attacking
fluency is a bit rusty at the moment amongst
every team I've seen, so you've got to be
focusing on your defence and there are some
real good aspects to our defence at the
moment. It's always work in progress. We are
far from happy with where we are at but we
are happy with the points.
www.leighcenturions.com
6
THE CE NTURION
www.leighcenturions.com
www.leighlife.com
THE CE NTURION
9
STUART LITTLER’S
HALF TERM CAMP
COMMERCIAL
NEWS
BY RYAN BRIERLEY
WITH ALAN EDGE
Ryan Brierley
ast week we held our ‘Stuart
L
Littler’s Half Term Camp’. Stu was
assisted by Ryan Brierley and the
rest of the community
foundation coaches, and the
camp was a huge success.
Not only were the kids taught rugby skills by their
idols, but for the first time ever they even had the
chance to take part in our Dance Academy Half Term
Camp, run by Chelsey, Charlotte and Corrina, who
are members of our very own ‘Red Toxic Girls’, who
dance for us on a match day.
So we had the Stuart Littler and Infusion Dance
Academy half term projects running side by side,
which was a joy to behold, as both camps were really
well attended.
The skills taught by Stuart are definitely something
the kids are going to hold onto for the rest of their
careers and make them very successful. At the end
of the week, Infusion Dance Academy put on a
talent show, to showcase the skills learned
throughout the three day camp.
Leigh Community Foundation coach Ryan Brierley
said “I was really nervous about the camp at the
start of the week, because my boss John Duffy was
away on business, and it’s the first time I’ve ever run
a half term camp, without him being there to help.
Stu really helped me out, in making the camp a huge
success and I really enjoyed myself. The kids were
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THE CE NTURION
made up being around Stuart and it’s something
they will never forget. A big mention has to go to
our Infusion Dance Academy, for the outstanding
response they got for their first ever camp. Their
performance for us at the end of the week which
was awesome; for young girls to stand up in front of
a crowd and perform either a song, dance, or act
takes some bottle. So a big well done to everyone
involved, and on behalf of Leigh Centurions we can’t
wait for the next one!!’
Leigh Centurions Club captain Stuart Littler said “The
children were engaged through all of the three days
and their skill levels and behaviour were highly
impressive. The children are a credit to their families,
schools and amateur clubs. It’s safe to say that rugby
league is thriving in the community of Leigh. I can’t
wait to watch these children develop their skills over
the coming years. Hopefully some will break into the
professional game. It was a pleasure and a privilege
to be part of the successful camp.”
Dance Academy Coach Corrina Ridge said “Taking
into consideration that the academy is only six weeks
old, the half term camp had a great reception,
attracting new faces to join in and be part of a fun
filled week.
The talent has been carried over to their weekly
training sessions, where all three teams are training
hard, putting together new routines for their
upcoming events and shows.”
www.leighcenturions.com
eigh Centurions still have a number of exciting match day
sponsorship packages available. For details of these packages
and other sponsorship and advertising opportunities, please
visit www.leighcenturions.com/corporate OR CONTACT
ROB PARKER on 07534 043975.
L
Main Match
Sponsor
A fantastic way to combine entertaining up to eight of your most important
clients, friends or family, and promoting your company profile. Benefits are:• Match day hospitality with 10 Tickets for the Main Stand
• 2 Course Meal
• Complimentary Match Day Programmes
• The opportunity to choose 'The Man of The Match'
• 2 Executive Car Park passes
• A commemorative gift for you
• Accreditation on the Match Day Programme cover
• Acknowledgement of your Company over the PA system throughout the day
• Post Match Presentation
The cost of this sponsorship package is £800 + VAT (£960 inc. VAT)
Entertain your business
contacts in the banqueting
suite at LSV
Match Ball
Sponsor
Programme
Sponsor
Enjoy first class hospitality for four guests and
receive fantastic advertising before taking
home a signed Match ball from the team.
Benefits are:• Match Day Hospitality with 4 Tickets for the Main
Stand
• 2 Course Meal
• Complimentary Match Day Programmes
• Accreditation on the match day programme
cover
• Acknowledgement of your Company over the PA
system throughout the day
• Match ball signed by Centurions team
• Post match presentation
The cost of this sponsorship package is £400
+ VAT (£480 inc. VAT)
Sponsor the acclaimed match day
magazine – ‘The Centurion’ – and
you can entertain four guests in
superb style, and you will receive
the following benefits:Benefits of this package are:• Match day Hospitality with 4 tickets
for the Main Stand.
• Carvery Meal with tea & coffee
• Complimentary Match Day Programmes
• A commemorative gift for you
• Accreditation on the Match Day Programme cover
• Acknowledgement of your Company over the PA system throughout
the day
• Post Match Presentation
The cost of this sponsorship package is £400 + VAT
(£480 inc. VAT)
www.leighlife.com
THE CENTURION
11
A VIEW FROM UNDER
A FLAT CAP By ALAN EDGE
Views expressed in this article are not necessarily
those of the Leigh Centurions club, or its Directors!
A Romantic Evening!
“Without Valentine's Day, February would be... well,
January.” ~Jim Gaffigan, American comedian.
So, what did you do for Valentine’s Day? A romantic evening out
with your partner at the theatre? A candle-lit dinner for two, at a
posh restaurant? An evening away at an expensive hotel? Or did
you opt for the ultimate in romance, and trek up to Whitehaven
to spend February 14th amongst the ‘Marras’?!
That was the fate inflicted
on our players, by the fixture
‘planners’, who decreed
that, for the benefit of the
Premier Sports cameras, the
Centurions would play a
Thursday game, in the
middle of Winter, up in
The Recreation Ground on an
Cumbria. Predictably it had
even wetter day.
snowed heavily on the
Wednesday, (to be fair, it snows up there in Summer too!)
followed by torrential rain, resulting in a flooded pitch. Throw in a
road-closing traffic accident on the A66, and you had all the
ingredients for a ruined evening. To their credit, our team coach
got through, and to ‘Haven’s credit, they got rid of the floods,
revealing a surface more suited to rice growing than playing
rugby. However, neither Leigh nor their hosts could do anything
about the power failure that then delayed the kick off by 45
minutes, while ‘Haven directors nipped around to B&Q to buy
sufficient candles to illuminate the pitch.
Here’s hoping that the romantics on our team, and amongst our
incredibly loyal fans, got back home in time to enjoy their
romantic evening on the 15th!
The ‘Premier’ Broadcaster
‘Premier’ – dictionary definition – ‘first in status, or
importance’.
Idaho massage therapist Brandon A. Trean once said, “The only
consistency I see within most politicians is, 'the saying of one
thing and doing of another'.”
That sentiment could be equally applied to the Championships’
‘chosen’ broadcaster, Premier Sports. Twice last season, we fell
foul of ‘the powers that be’, in matches transmitted by Premier. In
the opening televised fixture with Batley, we got the occupants of
our number 8 and 10 shirts confused, in our pre-match team
announcement. The ‘experts’ on the commentary team repeatedly
confused Ricky Bibey and Rob Parker who, as any Leyther knows,
have completely different hair styles! Then in the play-off game at
Featherstone, we opted to play in our red and white kit, rather
12
THE CE NTURION
than the black away kit, as
ruled by the RFL. (our red &
white shirts and white shorts
clashed with their white shirts
and blue shorts!) Once again,
we duly copped a fine –
presumably as the Premier
‘experts’ didn’t know who the
team was, wearing red and
The Premier Sports cameraman white!
has every right to hide after
Anyway, last Thursday, I finally
last week’s gaffes.
experienced my first ‘live’
Premier game, when ‘Haven
eventually got their candles lit and, being something of a pedant,
(dictionary definition – ‘one who pays undue attention to book
learning and formal rules’) spotted a couple of Premier’s own
howlers. The jazzily presented team captions proudly proclaimed
Whitehaven’s coach to be ‘Dave Jones’, (or Woods, as he is
usually known) whilst the rolling caption, prominently announced
the delayed kick off, of the Co-operative Championship fixture
between Whitehaven and Leigh! I wonder if the actual sponsors,
Kingstone Press, were impressed with the publicity?
I confidently await the RFL announcement of the fine being
imposed on Premier Sports.
Home Is Where The Heart Is
The week prior to Leigh’s tortuous journey through the
Lakes, a Sooper Dooper League game had to be called
off, because of traffic problems on the M62. A chemical
spillage had led to the motorway’s closure, causing
problems for traffic on the way to the KC Stadium for
Hull FC’s game with Bradford Bulls.
You would be forgiven for thinking that Bradford didn’t make it,
leaving the Match Commissioner with no choice other than to
postpone the game. But you’d be wrong! The Bulls did make it to
the ‘KFC’ by 8 p.m. but apparently the ‘home’ players were said
to have no chance of getting there in time for the latest possible
start time of 9:15 p.m! That’s the problem when you have a raft
of overseas’ players in your team – it’s a long journey from
Australasia on match days!
THE END OF A
PERIOD OF By
MIKE
INNOCENCE HULME
Editor: - Formerly the editor of the Leigh Journal, Mike Hulme currently holds a similar role with
the new local newspaper the Leigh Independent, copies of which can be obtained at any of the
supermarkets in town. Mike possesses a vast knowledge of Leigh Centurions and the world of
Rugby League and I am delighted to welcome him back to the pages of ‘The Centurion’.
IVEN the seemingly
G
growing number of
high profile sporting
‘drug-busts’, perhaps I
shouldn’t have been
surprised at the
findings of the recent
Australian Crime
Commission report,
which concluded
that drug use and
match-fixing were
‘widespread’ across all
Australian sports.
When those findings were broadcast and
printed around the world, the whole
unsavoury affair was succinctly
highlighted by Thomas Keneally. Never
heard of him? Keneally is not only a
Booker Prize winning author who penned
‘Shindler’s Ark’, but describes himself as
a rugby league ‘tragic’ – nailing his
colours to the Manly mast in Sydney.
Among the acres of newsprint that
And Finally
Recently, the Lancashire Referees Society decided to ‘spring clean’
their list of officials. It turned out that, of the 42 listed officials,
only 24 could still officiate – and some of the other 18 had
actually died! Well, they always say that you never notice a good
referee!
www.leighcenturions.com
Mike Hulme
Australian Sport Minister Kate
Lundy and Justice Minister Jason
Clare in sombre mood at a press
conference revealing the
widespread use of drugs in sport.
www.leighlife.com
reported the findings, Keneally noted
recently: “Aussies used to watch the
Olympics confident in the knowledge that
if our boys and girls won gold medals,
they’d bloody won it. We saw ourselves
the ‘Mr. Clean’ of international sport.”
Like many of us Keneally was unprepared
for the bombshell dropped by the
Australian Crime Commission and how it
implicated possible wrong-doings at
many of Australians leading RL clubs.
Rugby League in the UK prides itself on
the stringent drug testing programme
that it has put in place – and rightly so.
But the number of high (and in some
cases not so high) profile players caught
with their pants down indicates that the
problem is more widespread than we’d
care to admit.
Perhaps rather smugly in the past we’ve
thought that our game was immune from
the universal plague of drugs. League’s
sense of fair play is so ingrained here that
many fans convinced themselves that
even if their heroes occasionally tarnished
themselves, our sport was only minimally
affected by unsavoury practices.
To my mind the doping problem can be
blamed primarily on the intensity of the
professionalism nowadays, and the
intense demands on the human body that
go with it.
Rugby League used to be played by men
of ordinary musculature who had jobs
during the week, not by these full-time
gladiatorial athletes. The impacts we see
on the field now are ferocious, and it
often worried me, even before all this
came out, that there would be a hell of a
temptation to take shortcuts and find
Booker Prize winning author and
Manly supporter Thomas
Keneally
some sort of chemical answer to the
problem.
Match-fixing, meanwhile, can be
attributed to “exotic betting”, which is an
invitation to corruption. Any country that
permits it is going to undermine the
morality of their sport, and we’ve been
stupid enough to do it because our
governments are addicted to gambling
revenue.
And now? I’m just bewildered and
anxious, and I hope I can remain a
believer in the idea that there’s still some
connection between the contests of the
Billy Boston and Alex Murphy era and
those of today. But it’s the end of that
period of innocence. We’re leaving the
Garden of Eden for the Garden of
Chemical Cultures.
THE CENTURION
13
IN TOWN TODAY
The New Dons
DONCASTER RLFC By ALAN EDGE
oncaster’s sixty-two YEAR
history in Rugby League has
D
often appeared to be an everlasting
struggle against the odds, to keep
the RL flame burning in South
Yorkshire.
Doncaster were formed in 1951 and when you consider some of
the troubles they have encountered, the fact that they are still with
us speaks volumes for the determination of their Board and fans.
But with us they are, as they celebrate promotion to the Kingstone
Press Championship, by virtue of their stirring promotion campaign
in the 2012 Co-operative Championship One.
Doncaster’s Stadia
1951/2 York Road Greyhound Stadium – on their formation.
Nicknamed ‘The Dons’. A crowd of 7,600 watched their opening
game with Wakefield.
1953
Bentley Road Stadium. This ground was to become their
spiritual home, and was later re-named Tatters Field, after Chairman
Len Tattersfield. There followed over thirty years of miserable results,
with Doncaster usually propping up the league, and prompting the
infamous 1980 Yorkshire TV documentary – ‘Another Bloody
Sunday’! In 1984, under coach John Sheridan, the club won 30 of its
44 fixtures, but Doncaster were still inaugural members of the first
Division Three in Rugby League. However better things were, albeit
briefly, on the horizon, as Doncaster clinched promotion to the First
Division (equivalent to today’s Super League) for the 1995 season. A
series of spectacular victories, including an opening fixture at St
Helens, saw Doncaster top the table, but success came at a bitter
cost, as it soon became obvious that the club had over-stretched itself
financially to the tune of reported debts of £1.4 million. Whilst that
deficit may appear commonplace in today’s Super League, it
represented a huge disaster, twenty years ago. The club was forced
into liquidation. To their eternal credit, the club and its supporters
managed to avoid a proposed merger with South Yorkshire
neighbours Sheffield Eagles, and retain their identity. The last game
was played at Tattersfield in April 1995.
1996
Belle Vue Stadium. Doncaster briefly moved in with
footballing neighbours Doncaster Rovers, until a new home could be
adapted, at Meadow Court Greyhound Stadium. Doncaster followed
the Australian trend of adopting the nickname of fearsome beasts
and became known as Doncaster Dragons.
1998
The Dragons returned to Belle Vue Stadium, but were still
to finish last the following year. However, playing standards took a
turn for the better under coach St. John Ellis, and the stadium soon
became known as ‘The House Of Pain’ as visiting teams found the
going increasingly tough. However, once again, financial outgoings
exceeded income and John Wright rescued the club from the spectre
of liquidation.
2005
Keepmoat Stadium. Doncaster adopted the nickname
‘Lakers’ as they moved with their footballing cousins, into the
superbly appointed new stadium. This has to be, without a doubt, one
14
THE CE NTURION
of the most superb stadia in Rugby League, which has already played
host to a number of top games. Although financial worries once
again emerged in 2007,events on the pitch have begun to look up, as
Doncaster, now back as ‘The Dons’ again, have twice won promotion
to the Championship, courtesy of Grand Final victories over Oldham,
in 2008, and Barrow in 2012. In 2008, Doncaster also reached the
final of the Northern Rail Cup and, although convincingly beaten by
Salford, this still represented a major achievement for a
Championship One side.
Bobby Goulding
One To Watch –
Paul Cooke
With every respect to the rest of the ‘Dons’ squad, their
highest profile signing of recent years, has to be the
mercurial half back or loose forward, Paul Cooke.
Much of the focus on Cooke, in recent years, followed his
acrimonious departure from Hull FC, in 2007. Maybe Cooke’s
walk out wouldn’t have been quite so bad, had he not opted to
join his boyhood heroes from Hull’s bitter cross city rivals at Hull
KR. During the furore that followed his move, it seemed to have
been forgotten that Cooke had devoted eight years of his career
to Hull, amassing over 200 appearances, and scoring almost 800
points, in the process.
In November 2007, Paul was suspended by the RFL after being
found guilty of illegally approaching the Rovers, while still under
contract to Hull FC – despite there being an element of doubt
over whether he had ever signed a contract at the KC Stadium.
Following his ban, Cooke went on to play for the Robins on over
60 occasions, before moving on to Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, and
then opting to join Doncaster in early 2012, with fans and
sponsors contributing to his salary..
Prior to joining the ‘Dons’, Cooke had endured a self-imposed
fifteen month exile from the Game, following a harrowing period
in his personal life. Paul readily attributes the recent turn-around
in his fortunes, to former GB legend Ellery Hanley, who he met
after suffering drinking problems and looking after his terminallyill mother. Cooke says, “When I was at Hull KR, Ellery made me sit
down and reflect on my life and what I was doing with it. Now
it’s something I feel really passionate about ... the legacy you
leave, especially after mum’s illness. There are situations I’ve got
myself into that I wish I hadn’t done. Now I’d love to get involved
with influencing young rugby league players’ decisions, because I
made enough bad ones. Even if it’s just one person or one player
I can help then it’s an opportunity I’d be stupid not to take.”
Last year, Paul completed the staggering task of running SEVEN
marathons in SEVEN days, in aid of Dove House Hospice, in
memory of his late mother. Fittingly he won the Championship
One Player of the Year award last season, and the ‘Northern Star’
award, for his dedication and contributions to the local
community.
It’s great to have Paul Cooke back in the Game, and gracing the
Kingstone Press Championship.
www.leighcenturions.com
Brooke Broughton
By and large, Doncaster have kept faith with
the squad that served them so well in last
year’s promotion season. Long serving
stalwarts Dean Colton and Craig Lawton
have retired, and Tom Hodson, as we found
to our cost three weeks ago, has moved to
Featherstone.
Doncaster have ‘partnered’ with Super
League club Wakefield Trinity Wildcats and,
at the time of writing, had just two young
Wildcats on ‘Dual Contract’, although it
remains to be seen whether we will be
facing some more experienced ‘duals’
today. Bobbie Goulding is the son of a
famous father, who graced Leigh’s colours.
Goulding junior is also a half back, who was
forced to leave Warrington Wolves, (bucking
the trend and opting for Wakefield, rather
than Swinton!) when the Super League
clubs ditched their under 20’s teams. It must
have been a wrench for Goulding to leave,
as he had spent five years with the Wolves,
where he developed an excellent kicking
game and represented England Academy in
2010 and 2011. Utility back Liam Kay is
the second ‘dual’ player to move over to
Doncaster. Kay started his career at Leeds,
before moving to Wakefield, via Bradford
Bulls. Kay is seen as an organiser in attack,
and Wildcats’ coach Richard Agar is hoping
that a spell in the Championship will
prepare both him and Goulding for first
team action, in 2013.
The Dons have strengthened their forwards,
with three new signings. Prop Brett Waller
is a giant of a man, standing 6ft 5in and
weighing in at over 17 ½ stones! We came
across him in 2011 at York City Knights,
where he earned the affectionate nickname
of ‘The Wrecking Ball’, as a result of his
defence scattering runs. The ex-Skirlaugh
man was top try scorer at Gateshead
Thunder last season, before being re-
acquainted with the Championship, by
Dons’ coach Tony Miller. With Waller, size
isn’t everything, as he has a good offload,
can tackle and regularly managed 80
minutes at Gateshead. Former ’Don’ Matt
Carbutt returns to the Keepmoat, where he
spent two seasons in 2010/11, before
moving to Queensland for a successful stint
with Tweed Heads Seagulls. Prop Carbutt
took over the captaincy in his last spell,
following the banning of utility player
Shaun Leaf, for placing bets on games
involving his club. Leaf also returns to the
fold, after serving his 18 month ban.
Doncaster acquired a third prop, in Brooke
Broughton, from Warrington Wolves.
Broughton, who is the brother of Salford
speedster Jodie, enjoyed a loan spell at the
Keepmoat in 2009 and, after loans at
Dewsbury and York, jumped at the chance
to re-join the ‘Dons’. Like Kay, and Carbutt,
Broughton was a product of the prodigious
academy set up at Leeds Rhinos. Whilst he
doesn’t possess the electrifying pace of his
elder brother, Brooke has the reputation of
being a strong running impact player with
the ability to break the line.
James Clare is at the Keepmoat on a
season-long loan from Castleford Tigers. The
ex-Lock Lane wing has already made three
Super League appearances for Cas’, where
he registered his first try in a big victory
over Huddersfield Giants. Another familiar
face in the ‘Dons’ three quarter line,
belongs to experienced wing Dennis
Tuffour, who we encountered regularly in
spells with Hunslet Hawks and York City
Knights. English/Ghanaian Tuffour is a
natural sportsman, having won national
awards in pool, as well as being offered
trials at Tottenham Hotspur! Thankfully, he
settled for the ‘Greatest Game’ and also
enjoyed spells at Hull FC, where he signed
at academy level from Harlequins RL, and
London Skolars.
Craig Fawcett
DONCASTER
Statistics 2012
Tries: (169) – 36 – Waterman; 19 – Fawcett; 14 –
Hodson; 9 – Sanderson, Butterfield; 8 – Hughes; 7 –
Kesik, Spurr.
(Waterman’s tally included 6 against Sharlston, 5 and 4 against
Gateshead. Hodson also scored 5 against London Skolars.)
Goals: (121) – 58 – Cooke; 27 – Hodson; 18 – Hodgson; 14 – Waterman.
Average Attendance: (All competitions) - 697
Highest Attendance: 997 v Barrow Raiders (Championship 1)
Lowest Attendance: 418 v York City Knights (Northern Rail Cup)
Paul Cooke
www.leighlife.com
THE CENTURION
15
LOTTERY NEWS
Once again this year we are having the Easter
Egg Collection. Parky Pig will be visiting local
charities and the Royal Manchester Childrens
Hospital.
If you would like to Donate an Egg please
take it to one of our collection points.
Superleigh
Lottery
Company
Members
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
CORLETT ELECTRICAL
JR TAXIS
JR MINI BUSES
JR AIRPORT EXPRESS
MMI ENGINEERING
TAYLOR DRILLING
SERVICES
DK MOTOR ACCESSORIES
MUNCHIES
HATTONS SOLICITORS
ROYAL OAK
LANCASTRIAN LEISURE
ASK PLATT OFFICE SUPPLIES
THE CENTURION PUB
INTEGRATED CONTROL
SOLUTIONS
PENNINE UTILITIES
DARREN LEWIS PLUMBING
RED LION ATHERTON
S & J AUTOS
THE ALE HOUSE
MATCH ACTION
v HUNSLET
Thanks to Maurice Jones, who had just thawed out from the Swinton game, for providing
these images of the Hunslet game, and getting frozen and drenched in the process!
Hunslet's Paul Hughes flinches at the
approaching impact from Tom Spencer
Sean Penkwicz opens the scoring
AGENTS WANTED
We are looking for Lottery Agents in
the Leigh, Atherton and Lowton Areas.
We have ready made rounds available.
Good Commision paid.
Agents who bring in over £30.00 per
week receive a free season ticket.
The irresistible force about to meet the
immovable object - Steve Maden and
Richard Moore on a collision course.
16
THE CE NTURION
www.leighcenturions.com
www.leighlife.com
Gregg McNally
attempts to keep
up with Ryan
Brierley.
THE CENTURION
17
LEIGH
CENTURIONS
DONCASTER
RLFC
SQUAD - 2013 Head COACH - PAUL ROWLEY
SQUAD - 2013 Head COACH - TONY MILLER
No
NAME
Shirt Sponsor
Player Sponsor
1
Greg McNally
Marstrut
DAVID ECKERSLEY
2
Steve Maden
Padken Steel Erectors
JMS INTERIORS
3
Stuart Littler
Professional Witnesses
CORLETT ELECTRICAL
4
Matt Gardner
Williams & Co Personal Injury Solicitors
DR DOUBLET-STEWART
No
NAME
1
Michael Butterfield
2
Stewart Sanderson
3
Chris Spurr
4
Lee Waterman
5
Dennis Tuffour
5
Jon Pownall
Grada UK
LC COMMUNICATIONS
6
Paul Cooke
6
Martyn Ridyard
Integrated Control
Solutions
Integrated Control
Solutions
7
Craig Fawcett
8
Mark Castle
9
Kyle Kesik
BRETT ‘Wrecking BAll’
WALLER
7
Ryan Brierley
Leigh Sports Village Co
LISA & HA ENGLAND
ENGINEERS LTD
8
Sam Hopkins
Styles & Co
AB SUNDECKS
10
Brooke Broughton
Craig Robinson
9
Bob Beswick
Taylor Drilling Services
ASK PLATT OFFICE SUPPLIES
11
10
Rob Parker
Hamilton Fabrications
Ltd
TUFFNELLS
12
Carl Hughes
13
Mark Emmett
11
Simon Finnigan
Ask Platt Office Supplies
CDA BUSINESS SERVICES
14
Liam Cunningham
12
Tommy Goulden
CDA Business Services
INTRA HEALTH - LSV
15
Michael Kelly
13
Martin Aspinwall
Widdows Mason Solicitors
LISA
16
Nathan Powley
14
Sean Penkywicz
Leigh Market Traders
Association
HAMILTON FABRICATIONS
LTD
17
Grant Edwards
15
Andy Thornley
Ale House Leisure Ltd
18
Mark Carbutt
16
Craig Briscoe
L.I.S.A.
19
Francis Welsh
20
Shaun Leaf
21
Brett Waller
22
James Clare
IN MEMORY OF TERRY
WILCOCK
17
Tommy Coyle
Greenheart Regional
Park Project
EDMUNDSON ELECTRICAL
18
Anthony Nicholson
AVAILABLE
AVAILABLE
BROOKE BROUGHTON IN
ACTION FOR WARRINGTON
Kyle Kesik scoring against
Dewsbury this season
Leading scorer
Lee Waterman
23
19
Michael Ostick
AVAILABLE
AVAILABLE
20
James Taylor
AVAILABLE
KATIE WILLIAMS
21
Ryan Duffy
AVAILABLE
AVAILABLE
22
Adam Higson
AVAILABLE
AVAILABLE
23
Chris Rowe
AVAILABLE
LISA
34
Tom Spencer
24
Danny Cowling
25
26
Bobbie Goulding
27
28
JOHN O’DONNELL
18
THE CE NTURION
Liam Kay
Kyle Trout
Referee: Mr. G. Stokes
Touch Judges:
Mr. S. Ansell & Mr. M. Mannifield.
www.leighcenturions.com
Former Leigh prop
Mark Castle
www.leighlife.com
THE CENTURION
19
CHAMPIONSHIP
TALK By GARETH WALKER
Home advantage?
his year’s Northern Rail Cup final
T
and Kingstone Press
Championships Grand Finals day
will be held at Halifax and Leigh
respectively – is that giving the two
clubs a potentially unfair
advantage?
As with most burning issues at this level at present, it has split
the competition. Predictably, Leigh’s Paul Rowley has defended
the decision, saying that any advantage for the Centurions would
be minimal at a modern stadium with a wide, flat pitch.
The Shay - a new home for the Northern Rail Cup Final.
Leigh Sports Village - hosting the 2013 Kingstone
Championships Finals.
Halifax coach Karl Harrison admitted it would have some benefit
should his side make the Northern Rail final – while adding that
there is much rugby to be played before that can be aired.
In contrast, Featherstone coach Daryl Powell said that the
announcement showed a lack of “common sense”, and his
Sheffield counterpart Mark Aston asked whether the Challenge
Cup final will now be switched to Huddersfield.
But whichever side of the fence you sit on, it’s important to note
exactly who made this decision – the Championship clubs
themselves. A steering party including volunteer representatives
20
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from nine different
clubs has been
established to allow
members to make
recommendations on a
host of issues and take
bigger stakes in their
own futures.
The steering group
recommended that the
Karl Harison - predictably in favour
Northern Rail Cup final
day become a double
header, with a second
match being staged
between the winners of
the two Championship
One qualifying groups.
Blackpool’s Bloomfield
Road couldn’t
accommodate two
matches, so that almost
automatically ruled
Daryl Powell - predictably against.
them out.
Warrington and the Halliwell Jones Stadium expressed an
interest in staging the event, but the bid put forward by
Calderdale Council on behalf of the Shay was determined to be
the strongest.
Similarly, the Leigh Sports Village was decided to be the best
option for the Grand Finals day. Insiders insist that there was not
a conscious decision to keep the two matches “in-house” at
Championship venues – they were simply agreed to be the best
options available. Finances undoubtedly played a part in that.
It has, though, raised the obvious issue that both Halifax and
Leigh could play in finals this year and be at home. While rare in
Rugby League in this country, it is certainly not exclusive when
you look at other major sports.
In the NFL, the Super Bowl is taken around stadia on an annual
basis, and can see teams play at home if they make it. It’s the
same situation in football’s Champions League, and effectively in
the NRL, where the Grand Final is staged at the former Olympic
Stadium that houses several clubs’ home matches.
The situation is set to be reviewed on an annual basis, and as
with so many of the recent changes in the sport, it will only be
possible to analyse its impact after the first year has unfolded.
But it is important to acknowledge that this has been a decision
that has been made by the clubs themselves, and one that was
voted in overwhelmingly. They have to take the responsibility for
that choice now. It would be great if the aim of having two
events that celebrate everything that is good about the game at
this level comes to fruition.
www.leighcenturions.com
UNDER 20s
FOCUS
By DAVE PARKINSON
aul Anderson and John Duffy are
P
overseeing the development of the
Centurions’ youngsters as they enter
a new competition that will see them
travel as far as South Wales – twice.
Several players are stepping up from the club’s under-18 set-up this
year, including halfback Josh Ward, who became one of the youngest
debutants for the club at first team level when he played in the shortlived Anglo-French Challenge game against Avignon. Joining him are
the likes of Mitchell Cox, Luke Barrett, Matt Pendlebury and Matty
Charnock who all went well last term. New faces to look out for
include Alex Davidson, a mobile prop formerly of Salford, former
Leigh East and Miners fullback Keiran Dainty, former St Helens
hooker Aaron Lloyd and Thatto Heath backrower Anthony Bate.
Since coming together, the side has played Salford and
Halifax in Pre-Season friendlies:
LEIGH 16 SALFORD 46
The first pre-season game resulted in a 16-46 defeat against Salford.
Despite the eventual severity of the score, Leigh were very
competitive in the opening half hour, leading 6-0 and 12-10 before
claiming a consolation score at the end.
James Taylor, returning from a niggling injury played the first half and opened
scoring after 7 minutes in support of Anthony Nicholson, while Adam Barber,
another former St Helens man went over on the left from Wards run and pass.
Ford, Evalds (3) and Neal touched down for the visitors with Sneyd kicking four
goals to open up a 28-12 half-time lead.
Danny Peet had been held up on the Salford try line and early in the second
half he went 70 metres on an intercept that led to Barrett also being held over
the line.
Ford, Bibby and Gee stretched Salford out to 46-12 before a kick to the right
from Pendlebury was caught by Charnock and he dashed 30 metres to
complete the score.
LEIGH 62 HALIFAX 6
Leigh bounced back from defeat against Salford, with an eleven try
win over a young Halifax team, that contained Mick Nanyn and
Adam Bowman.
Anthony Nicholson and Andy Thornley were in the Leigh side, as was John
O’Donnell, a centre recruited from Wigan. He added real thrust to the Leigh
backline and finished with a hat-trick. His first opened the scoring, as he skirted
across the defence and into the corner from a scrum.
The Centurions’ extra size was apparent from the start and Ryan Duffy blasted
over under the posts after smart work from Nicholson. Josh Ward added the
second of seven goals and was at the hub of the next scoring play alongside
halfback partner Matt Pendlebury. Mitchell Cox was the scorer and Leigh were
further ahead after 19 minutes when a lovely ball from Pendlebury put
O’Donnell through for his second try.
Halifax fashioned the next chance when Mick Nanyn went down the left
touchline from close range but was forced in touch. Pendlebury turned creator
again with Thornley hitting his short pass at the side of the posts.’ Fax’s
torment didn’t end there and just short of the break Ward shot through the
defence and goaled to make it 34-0 at half-time.
The Centurions made a great start to the second half when Aaron Lloyd broke,
Ward supported and the impressive Anthony Bate scored close to the posts.
Lloyd had a lively second half and went over from dummy half after 56
minutes. Five minutes later O’Donnell finished his hat-trick from Luke
www.leighlife.com
Warburton’s pass. Halifax pulled back a consolation 14 minutes from time,
converted by Nanyn, but there was more to come from Leigh when Warburton
put Lloyd under the posts for Alex Davidson to convert and the former Salford
City Reds forward crossed in the last minute and added his second goal to
complete the score.
Anthony Nicholson - featured
in both Under 20's warm up
games.
Hat trick for new signing
John O’Donnell
Under 20’s Fixtures
(subject to change)
02/03/13
09/03/13
16/03/13
Oldham
South Wales
Featherstone
H
A
H
2.30
2.30
2.30
clash with Leigh East home game
23/03/13
06/04/13
Keighley
Salford
H
H
2.30
2.30
clash with Leigh East home game
13/04/13
27/04/13
02/05/13
11/05/13
25/05/13
01/06/13
08/06/13
Featherstone
Halifax
York
South Wales
Halifax
South Wales
Halifax
A
H
A
H
A
A
H
2.30
2.30
8.00
2.30
2.30
2.30
2.30
clash with Leigh East home game
20/06/13
06/07/13
13/07/13
20/07/13
Keighley
Salford
Rochdale
Keighley
A
A
H
H
7.45
2.30
2.30
2.30
Northern Rail Final Day
27/07/13
Salford
H
2.30
clash with Leigh East home game
03/08/13
10/08/13
17/08/13
Salford
Halifax
Featherstone
A
A
A
2.30
2.30
2.30
THE CENTURION
21
LOVE RUGBY
By TONY
LEAGUE WILLIAMS
CAPTAIN’S LOG
Tony Williams
Editor: - Tony Williams is a leading journalist on the excellent ‘Love
Rugby League’ website.
NATHAN LAWRENSON
TALKS TO TEAM CAPTAIN,
ROB PARKER
Rob Parker
he most
controversial topic
of the season so far has
been the system of ‘dualregistration.’
The system has been expanded this season
and Super League clubs are able to dualregister as many players from their squads
as they would like with their Championship
partner club. The only limits to the system
are that the Championship club cannot
name more than five of these dualregistered players in their 17-man squad.
The expansion of dual-registration comes
after a majority of Super League clubs
voted to scrap their under 20s, leaving
them with only an under 19 Academy side.
Dual-registration means that young players
from Super League squads, while too old
for the under 19s, will still be able to play
competitive rugby.
That’s the theory anyway. In practice
players with a great deal of experience
have been turning out in the
Championships simply to gain match
fitness. The most egregious examples
include Paul Wood playing for Swinton
Lions, Ade Gardner turning out for
Whitehaven, and Richard Moore for
Hunslet.
T
Ade Gardner - 'Marra' or Saint?
Championship coaches who are not signed
up to the new system have criticised it. Paul
Rowley has called it “disrespectful” to the
Championship as a competition –
sentiments echoes by Mark Aston and Daryl
Powell. Fans have voiced similar concerns.
22
THE CE NTURION
But what is the problem with the dualregistration system?
Firstly, it has the potential to block younger
players from making progress at
Championship clubs. If Whitehaven have a
young or relatively untested winger in their
squad, are they likely to select him for a
game against Leigh if they have the option
of selecting Ade Gardner instead? There
will be fewer opportunities for developing
players to establish themselves at
Championship level, and that has longterm implications for both the
Championship and the Super League.
Paul Rowley - current system
disrespectful
Secondly, the system has the potential to
turn Championship clubs into feeder teams
for Super League teams. This was always a
fear when licensing was introduced,
because modelling Super League on the
NRL might also mean following the
Australian model of “lower grade” teams
being feeder clubs for the NRL. Without a
proper reserve team, Super League clubs
could use their Championship partner clubs
for that very purpose. Fans of Swinton have
already complained that their club will
become no more than Warrington reserves.
Thirdly, the practice of having Super League
players make one-off or short-term
appearances is unfair on those clubs that
don’t do it. Widnes Vikings are without a
game this weekend (their fixture with Leeds
is automatically postponed due to the
WCC). There is the potential this afternoon
Swinton chairman John Kidd disrespectful of Lions fans' views.
for Sheffield to be playing a Workington
with five Widnes players in its starting lineup. Is that really fair?
It’s noteworthy that Leigh and other clubs
with Super League ambitions such as
Sheffield, Featherstone and Halifax are not
supporting the current system. They want to
show that they can sustain a squad of their
own rather than having to borrow players.
Yet it seems that this commendable
ambition is to be penalised by less able or
less ambitious clubs having the option of
drafting in players from the top flight.
Finally, many supporters are dissatisfied
with the current system. A poll on
TotalRL.com indicated 85% were against
the current system versus just 15% in
favour. Polling by the League Express
showed that 52% of respondents wanted
the system reformed, 41% wanted it
scrapped completely – and just 5%
thought it was working well.
Consider the Swinton fans who have said
they won’t go and support Warrington’s
reserve team. Lions chairman John Kidd
dismissed this with a “if that’s their opinion
then that’s their opinion” – but those
involved with clubs can scarcely afford to
be so glib about the concerns of their
supporters. No club in this game can afford
to lose spectators, and that’s what will
happen if something isn’t done to fix this
broken system.
[email protected]
Twitter: @Tony_Williams88
www.leighcenturions.com
So Rob, you’ve recorded two wins
since last time we spoke. Presumably
you’re a ‘happy chappy’?
Yeah two wins from three games is
obviously really good. We’re happy that
we’ve got those points under our belt
because first and foremost that’s what we
needed. Whitehaven was a really tough
place to go to on a Thursday night, and we
could have made a lot of excuses should we
not have performed. Some of the lads had
to take the afternoon off work and it was so
swampy there should have been a couple of
ducks making themselves at home on that
pitch.
We didn’t win pretty but an ugly win is
better than a good looking loss. We are
slowly building and although it’s frustrating
at times, because we know where we want
to be, we want to take some momentum
from our opening games and run with that
for now.
Rob Parker in his youth at Bradford.
Does anyone else spot a resemblance
to Wayne Rooney?
www.leighlife.com
Could you think of a better place to
go on Valentine’s Day?
It wasn’t my kind of idea of romance and I
could certainly think of other places to be
going. But I bet it was nice for Greg McNally
being back in his homeland. He saw lots of
sheep on the way there so it was definitely a
successful Valentine’s Day for him!
After last Thursday’s game you’ve had
a long time to prepare for this fixture.
Surely that’s a nice thing after a short
turnaround the previous week?
Sometimes due to the nature of this division,
you have those games where you have very
little time to prepare and you only just
manage to get it all in. You have to get over
the game physically as there’s a lot of aches
that have to work their way out of your
system, but also mentally. It’s been nice to
have a weekend off to get fresh, because
you have to remember that lads are working
day in day out as well as grafting hard on
the pitch.
Doncaster were the winners of the
Championship One last season, so
how are you looking forward to
welcoming them into the division?
I think the teams who have been promoted
this season have done so by credit alone.
The sport has needed to grow for a long
time and with the franchise system they
have in Super League, there has to be some
sort of carrot dangled for us Championship
sides. Doncaster are going to be a top team
if their good start is anything to go by. Paul
Cooke is obviously going to be a pivotal
player for them and he’ll really be pulling
the strings, so we have to stop that. He’s
been around the game for so long and every
cliché under the sun can be used on him.
We’ve got to focus on the job in hand to get
the small tasks done well and hopefully the
result will follow.
Has anything changed in regards to
your role on the field now you have a
full-time job at the club?
The skipper attracts some attention in
the Hunslet game.
It’s even more pressure for me now because
I need to get the fans on side. When we play
well and get a win we get a little bit more
coverage in the media, the fans are happy,
and it helps me to sell some corporate boxes
and match day hospitality. It’s something
that I’m really enjoying doing and I’m just
looking forward to improving our business
off the field as well as performing on it.
And finally, what do you make of the
RFL’s decision to move the
Championship finals to the Sports’
Village?
I think it’s good for the sport because Leigh
is a hugely passionate rugby town. Hopefully
they’ll get behind it and the World Cup
game we are hosting as well. It makes a lot
of sense to have it here because of the
excellent facilities we have, not only on but
also off the pitch. First and foremost that’s
where we want to be as a team because we
know we are capable of that. We don’t want
to jump the gun yet because there’s a lot of
rugby to be played but it’d be great to get
there.
THE CENTURION
23
CENTURIONS STATS 2013
FACTS & STATS
Milestones:
James Taylor reached 175 appearances for the club with his
appearance from the bench against Hunslet.
The nilling of Hunslet was the Centurions first nilling of an
opposition since a 42-0 success in the Northern Rail Cup up at
Gateshead last year.
By DAVE PARKINSON
Today we welcome Doncaster who, like ourselves, have
moved into an up-to-date home in the last few years.
It will also be our first league fixture against the Dons since 2009
when Leigh were pushed all the way before winning 31-28.
Incidentally, that game was Doncaster’s first visit to the LSV. Leigh
have played twice at the impressive Keepmoat Stadium, winning
52-18 in 2007 and 24-18 in an altogether closer game in March
2009.
LEIGH v DONCASTER LINKS
Links between the clubs are fairly rare, although current Dons’ prop
Mark Castle had a short stint with Leigh after Doncaster went
through the horrors of losing their entire team during the 2009
season.
Back in 2004, former Doncaster halfback Craig Weston was also
recruited by the Centurions following Tommy Martyn’s injury. He
played just four games but helped to guide Leigh into the Grand
Final.
The current Doncaster team came into existence in 1995 and the
Centurions record in total against this side since then is as follows:
LEIGH (v DONCASTER)
League
Home Record
Away Record
Played
22
10
12
Won
18
10
8
Drawn
0
0
0
Lost
4
0
4
For
707
384
323
Against
362
152
210
As you can see, here in Leigh, the Centurions record is a perfect ten,
so far!
I’d like to take a closer look at one of the games from yesteryear and
specifically note the career playing records of the squads for their
respective clubs.
25th March 2001 - Doncaster 16 Leigh 11
Leigh Tries: Turley. Goals: Svabic 3. Drop Goal: Svabic
Neil Turley
Michael Watts
Paul Anderson
Jason Johnson
David Ingram
Simon Svabic
Liam Bretherton
David Bradbury
John Hamilton
David Whittle
Simon Baldwin
Phil Kendrick
Adam Bristow
Jamie Gass
Andy Leathem
John Duffy
Willie Swann
A LOOK AT ONE OF
THE OPPOSITION
While some may consider it obvious to look at the career of
Paul Cooke, (Editor: As I have done!) I feel that another man
is as important to the attack and defence of Doncaster –
experienced Chris Spurr.
He debuted in 1998 for Featherstone and his rugby league career has
also seen him play for Batley, York, Rochdale and Dewsbury. Chris first
linked with Doncaster in 2010 and has since gone on to make 55
appearances for the Dons, going in for 28 tries.
In total, Spurr has clocked up over 230 games, scoring 111 tries so far
in his career.
CHRIS SPURR
Featherstone
Doncaster: Tries: Garcia, Mansson, Woodcock. Goals: Weston 2
Johnny Woodcock
Neil Bennett
Paul Mansson
Mick Coult
Anton Garcia
Craig Weston
Paddy Handley
Asa Amone
Peter Edwards
Maea David
Tony Miller
Tony Fella
Craig Lawton
Gary Smith
Tony Atter
Peter Green
Ian Ramskill
24
78+9 apps, 29T 218G
24+4 apps, 17T
75 apps, 45T 3G 5DG
38+23 apps, 25T 1G
56+9 apps, 27T
50+1 apps, 32T 73G 2DG
29 apps, 6T
40+6 apps, 3T
97+3 apps, 24T 1DG
66+20 apps, 9T
93+8 apps, 16T
13+4 apps, 2T
213+51 apps, 46T
3+5 apps, 2T
30+23 apps, 11T
221+19 apps, 59T
4+9 apps, 2T
THE CE NTURION
Batley
York
Played for Leigh 2004
Rochdale
Dewsbury
Current Doncaster boss
Doncaster
Still active at Sheffield
119+3 apps, 132T 479G 15DG
36+3 apps 11T
92+10 apps, 50T 17G
Current Leigh U-20s boss
6+8 apps, 8T
134+32 apps, 100T 3G
55+4 apps 18T 186G 4DG
44+7 apps, 22T 19G 1DG
56+44 apps, 20T
33+35 apps, 7T
92+35 apps, 17T
134+10 apps, 44T 14G
89+33 apps, 49T 34G 2DG
136+3 apps, 51T
2+3 apps, 1T
16+22 apps, 1T
160+42 apps, 51T 19G 4DG Current Leigh U-20s asst
57+39 apps, 31T
1998
2000
2001
2002
Total
2003
2004
Total
2004
2006
2007
Total
2008
Total
2009
2010
Total
2010
2011
2012
2013
Total
Grand Total
Apps
1
2
11
24
38
14
14
28
8
13
28
49
19
19
22
10
32
11
25
16
3
55
221
Sub
2
2
0
4
8
3
0
3
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
12
Tries
2
2
4
13
21
11
6
17
4
3
12
19
8
8
13
5
18
5
15
7
1
28
111
www.leighcenturions.com
Debuted
Squad No
DOB
2013
Apps Sub
It is the first league nilling of an opposition in the Championship
since doing the same thing to Hunslet at the South Leeds
Stadium in 2011.
Martyn Ridyard needs one more point to draw level with Mick
Martyn in the all-time club point scoring chart and is 63 points
away from overtaking Brian Fallon and moving into the top ten
point scorers at the club.
Tries
Goals
Drop
Goals
Leigh Career
Points Apps
Sub
Tries
Goals Drop Points
Goals
Martin Aspinwall
2013
13
21/10/1981
2
1
0
0
0
0
2
1
0
0
0
0
Bob Beswick
2012
9
08/12/1984
3
0
0
0
0
0
26
3
3
0
1
13
Ryan Brierley
2012
7
13/02/1992
0
3
1
0
0
4
7
23
26
5
0
114
Craig Briscoe
2010
16
08/12/1992
0
1
0
0
0
0
20
16
7
0
0
28
Thomas Coyle
17
10/05/1988
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Ryan Duffy
21
13/05/1993
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
11
08/12/1981
3
0
1
0
0
4
3
0
1
0
0
4
Simon Finnigan
2013
Matt Gardner
2012
4
24/08/1984
3
0
1
0
0
4
33
0
15
0
0
60
Tommy Goulden
2010
12
30/06/1981
2
0
1
0
0
4
75
7
32
0
0
128
Adam Higson
2008
22
19/05/1987
0
0
0
0
0
0
39
21
13
0
0
52
Sam Hopkins
2011
8
17/02/1990
1
2
2
0
0
8
19
22
18
0
0
72
Stuart Littler
2011
3
19/02/1979
3
0
0
0
0
0
62
1
23
0
0
92
Gregg McNally
2012
1
02/01/1991
3
0
1
0
0
4
31
0
18
1
0
74
Steve Maden
2004/2008
2
13/09/1982
3
0
0
0
0
0
179
3
63
0
0
252
28
Anthony Nicholson 2010
18
28/11/1990
0
0
0
0
0
0
17
20
7
0
0
Michael Ostick
2012
19
23/01/1988
3
0
1
0
0
4
21
5
1
0
0
4
Rob Parker
2012
10
05/09/1981
2
1
0
0
0
0
23
3
4
0
0
16
Sean Penkywicz
2013
14
18/05/1982
3
0
2
0
0
8
3
0
2
0
0
8
Jonny Pownall
2011
5
22/08/1991
3
0
0
0
0
0
23
2
13
0
0
52
Martyn Ridyard
2009
6
25/07/1986
3
0
3
11
0
34
95
10
56
170
2
566
Chris Rowe
2012
23
08/02/1994
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
Tom Spencer
2012
02/01/1991
1
2
0
0
0
0
12
9
3
0
0
12
James Taylor
2005
20
11/09/1984
0
2
0
0
0
0
144
32
22
0
0
88
Andy Thornley
2011
15
01/03/1989
1
0
0
0
0
0
17
24
7
0
0
28
39
12
13
11
0
74
852
202
334
176
3
1691
TOTALS
Goal Kickers
Martyn Ridyard
Craig Weston
represented both clubs.
Mark Castle - another
player to represent both clubs
www.leighlife.com
TRY CREATORS
Sean Penkywicz
Martyn Ridyard
Sam Hopkins
Michael Ostick
Bob Beswick
Jonny Pownall
Gregg McNally
Matt Gardner
Steve Maden
Goals
11
IndividualPass
2
1
1
0
2
0
1
0
0
1
0
1
1
0
0
1
0
1
Attempts %
13
85
Kick
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
THE CENTURION
Total
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
25
INFUSION DANCE ACADEMY
By RYAN BRIERLEY
Good afternoon – here’s a quick
update on the Dance Academy :
Infusion Dance Academy has been
together for just over four weeks and has
already had a fantastic reception. Dancers
from as young as five years old are now
joining the younger teams and amazingly
the academy is attracting both girls AND
boys!!!
BE A PART OF INFUSION
DANCE ACADEMY!!!
Classes are held EVERY Wednesday at
Leigh Miners Rangers on Manchester Road
(facing Bedford High School). No dance
experience is required to join any of our
teams, and it is a great way to meet new
friends and stay fit.
Age 8-12 - 5pm-6pm
Age 13-17 - 6pm-7pm
For more information please get
in touch with our friendly
coaches:
Head Coach: Corinna 07806194602
Dance Teacher: Chelsey 07794403439
Follow us on Twitter: @Infusion_DA
SEVEN FACTS ABOUT A
RED TOXIC DANCER
Name: Chelsey Tickle
Age: 19
Favourite food: Nandos
Favourite drink: Malibu
Favourite song: Million
Voices
Favourite TV
programme:
SpongeBob
Favourite
movie:
‘Step Brothers’
or ’Burlesque’
Best thing about
supporting Leigh
Centurions:
Getting to perform in front of
a big crowd
Favourite Rugby League
player?
I have to say Ryan Brierley
because he’s our boss ha!
PLAYER
SPONSORS 2013
1 Greg McNally
2 Steve Maden
3 Stuart Littler
4 Matt Gardner
5 Jon Pownall
Marstrut
David Eckersley
Padken Steel Erectors
JMS Interiors
Professional Witnesses
Corlett Electrical
Engineering Co (1981) Ltd
Williams & Co - Personal
Injury Solicitors
Dr. Doublet-Stewart
Grada UK
LC Communications
6 Martyn Ridyard
7 Ryan Brierley
8 Sam Hopkins
9 Bob Beswick
10 Rob Parker
Integrated Control Solutions
Integrated Control Solutions
Leigh Sports Village Co
LISA & H A England Engineers
Ltd.
Styles & Co
A B Sundecks
Taylor Drilling Services
Ask Platt Office Supplies
Hamilton Fabrications Ltd
Tuffnells
11 Simon Finnigan
12 Tommy Goulden
13 Martin Aspinwall
14 Sean Penkywicz
15 Andy Thornley
Ask Platt Office Supplies
CDA Business Services
CDA Business Services
Intra Health Family Practice - LSV
Widdows Mason Solicitors
LISA
Leigh Market Traders Association
Hamilton Fabrications Ltd
Ale House Leisure Ltd
16 Craig Briscoe
17 Tommy Coyle
18 Anthony Nicholson
19 Michael Ostick
20 James Taylor
L.I.S.A.
In Memory of Terry Wilcock
Greenheart Regional Park
Project
Edmundson Electrical
AVAILABLE
AVAILABLE
AVAILABLE
AVAILABLE
AVAILABLE
Katie Williams
21 Ryan Duffy
22 Adam Higson
23 Chris Rowe
AVAILABLE
AVAILABLE
AVAILABLE
AVAILABLE
AVAILABLE
L.I.S.A.
www.leighlife.com
THE CENTURION
27
TOUCHDOWN
CLUB
By ALAN PLATT
SPONSORS OF THE HUNSLET MATCH
ON 10TH FEBRUARY
Since our report in the Hunslet programme, we have
signed up a new Gold+ member - Collins and Darwell
Printers Ltd.
Situated in Hope Street Leigh, Collins and Darwell is
currently run by Chris Travers and his sister Nicola.
Collins and Darwell carry out a full range of printing
services, from business cards to full colour brochure
printing.
Competitive prices are available on all lines of print
work.
They can be contacted on 01942 673166.
On behalf of The Touchdown Club, may I extend a
warm welcome to Chris and Nicola.
If any Companies are still interested in joining us this
season, please make contact on 07774 756223 or visit
our website at [email protected] You may also
contact the Centurions’ new Business Manager, Mr Rob
Parker on 07534 043975.
The Matrix Group is a successful association of over 700 Accountants, IFA’s, Legal
Practices and other Professional networks operating throughout the whole of the
country, and it is our passion to help you dramatically increase the profitability and
success of your business, whilst also helping you achieve personal wealth creation
for yourself and your family.
As a business owner are you looking to consistently and persistently grow your business with
new high quality clients and to become more proactive and successful than ever?
The Matrix Group specialises in helping all types of businesses and individuals achieve their
goals, by acting as a strategic Tax, Business Development, Business Solutions and Wealth
Management partner. By utilising our range of unique products and services, that have been
developed over many years in partnership with highly experienced and successful market
leaders, we can help deliver sustainable success to you.
As a business you can save substantial amounts of tax and will successfully grow your
business, as a result of the new cutting edge tools you will gain access to.
We have developed arguably one of the most powerful business models for you to Fast Track
your business to sustained growth, profitability and success.
Collins & Darwell - on Hope Street since 1891.
Our Core Values are to fulfill our clients’ needs in an ETHICAL, INNOVATIVE,
ENJOYABLE and RESPONSIVE way – EVERY TIME.
Touchdown Corporate Gold Members 2013
Company
Contact
Tel
JAMES ‘QS’ LIMITED
IAN JAMES
07831 412960
ASTLEY HIRE COMPANY
STEVE DORRICOTT
01942 608822
BURLINGTON BUILDERS LTD
PAUL SUMNER
07774 920854
GRADA (UK) LTD
PHIL OWEN
07967 049966
HIRE ‘N’ HIRE
KEITH STACEY
01942 676406
TOPPING PARTNERSHIP
PETER BENTHAM
07771 581115
EUROSCREEN LIMITED
CHRIS GARFIN
01942 673333
CS CIVILS AND
GROUNDWORK
STEVE OPENSHAW
07805 056625
ASK PLATT OFFICE
SUPPLIES LTD
ALAN PLATT
07774 756223
PROFESSOR AND MRS
BARRIE DALE
BARRIE DALE
01204 882977
IMPACT INSURANCE LTD
MOIRA GRIFFITHS
01204 848481
GLOBAL SURVEY EQUIPMENT
MATTHEW
01942 896244
COLLINS & DARWELL
CHRIS TRAVERS
01942 673166
28
THE CE NTURION
www.leighcenturions.com
Our unique programme includes -
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
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Personal and Corporate Tax Mitigation Strategies
Advanced Tax Planning
Wealth Management
Matrix Marketing Portal (MMP)
Matrix Business Excellence and Matrix Business Mentoring
Matrix Business Academy
Invoice Finance Solutions
Raising Business Finance and Venture Capital
Lots of other Business Building Tools and Systems
Shared Knowledge Base through our Membership
If you are serious about making your business a success with maximum support
from us, then please contact us today for more information:
0845 519 2225
[email protected]
www.thematrixgroup.co.uk
www.leighlife.com
THE CENTURION
29
30
THE CE NTURION
www.leighcenturions.com
CHAMPIONSHIP
NEWS By ALAN EDGE
W
ithin the past few days, the RFL
has made major announcements
about the venues for the final of the
Northern Rail Cup and the Kingstone
Press Championships, and about the
format of the Championship Play-offs.
THE NORTHERN RAIL CUP
The Northern Rail Cup final will
take on an extra dimension in
2013 with a new venue and
double the excitement following
the introduction of the new
Northern Rail Bowl final.
The 2013 Northern Rail Cup final and the 2013 Northern Rail
Bowl final will be staged at The Shay on Saturday July 20 when
the home of Kingstone Press Championship club Halifax hosts
two extraordinary contests on a day which has traditionally
provided one of the highlights of the Rugby League calendar.
Before the Northern Rail Cup final, the inaugural Northern Rail
Bowl final will be contested by the two Kingstone Press
Championship One clubs which topped their respective Northern
Rail Cup groups prior to the knock-out stages of the competition.
Should a Championship One club reach the Northern Rail Cup
final, the club placed second in its group will play in the Bowl
final.
“The Northern Rail Cup final has always delivered a feast of
entertaining Rugby League and the introduction of the Northern
Rail Bowl will make this great occasion even more memorable,”
said RFL Chief Operating Officer Ralph Rimmer.
“This is a very exciting year for the sport with an expanded
Championship and three new clubs entering Championship One:
with an extra trophy up for grabs, I fully expect the action to be
even more cut-throat over the coming months. Every team now
has a realistic possibility of a final appearance on the big stage:
from the moment the ball is kicked-off in every Northern Rail Cup
fixture, every pass, every tackle and every score will count!
Halifax and Calderdale Council have invested significantly in a
facility which is the envy of many other sports clubs around the
country and I am sure everyone who attends the finals day will
enjoy the experience and receive a warm welcome.”
Halifax are the current holders of the Northern Rail Cup having
lifted the trophy following a 21-12 victory over Featherstone
Rovers at Blackpool last year.
Blackpool hosted eight successive finals from 2005 to 2012 and
was a popular venue but for 2013 the Championships clubs and
the RFL felt the competition needed a fresh look to
accommodate the new Northern Rail finals double header.
Northern Rail Projects Manager Ian Hall said: ““We are delighted
32
THE CE NTURION
to be associated with this exciting double header and are looking
forward to a special day at The Shay, when the Northern Rail Cup
and Northern Rail Bowl will provide a full day of exciting rugby
action for fans across the Northern Rail network.”
Halifax Chairman Michael Steele said: “Everyone at Halifax RLFC
is delighted by the decision to hold the Northern Rail Cup finals
day at The Shay. Whichever teams participate, their fans will
experience great facilities, convenient parking near the ground, a
good rail service from the sponsors and a warm welcome from
the town.”
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Cllr
Pauline Nash, said: “We are delighted that the RFL is hosting the
Northern Rail Cup finals day at The Shay Stadium.”
working with the RFL and the clubs to
ensure that the fans attending the Kingstone
Press Championship Finals Day will have a
day of great excitement and top class Rugby
League.”
Simon Toon, Chief Executive of Leigh Sports
Village said: “Leigh Sports Village is
delighted to have been chosen as the new
venue for the Kingstone Press
Championships Finals Day. We are looking
forward to continuing our partnership with
The RFL following the success of the
international matches held at the Sports
Village. The competition has the full support
of Wigan Council as well as the professional
clubs in the Borough: Leigh Centurions and
Wigan Warriors, and Swinton Lions who
currently play their fixtures at the Sports
Village. Leigh Sports Village is located in one
of the heartlands of the Rugby League
community who, I am sure, will give the
competition their full support.”
Trevor Barton MBE, CEO of Leigh Centurions
said: “This is fantastic news for Leigh Sports
Village and our wider community. With a
Desso pitch, hi-definition lighting, four
changing rooms and top class sports
facilities, Leigh Sports Village is perfectly
designed for this type of event and can easily
accommodate three games one after the
other and I know that all Leigh fans will
warmly welcome every team that gets
through to the Finals Day.”
Halifax - Northern Rail Cup winners 2012.
THE CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS
The 2013 Kingstone Press
Championships Finals Day will be
staged at the superbly-appointed
Leigh Sports Village on Sunday
September 29.
The deciding weekend of the 2013
season will once again have a celebratory
feel with three matches - the Rugby League Challenge Trophy
final (12.00pm), the Kingstone Press Championship One play-off
final (2.30) and the title-deciding Kingstone Press Championship
Grand Final (5.00pm) – taking place at the 12,000-capacity
venue.
It will be the first time the Championships Finals Day has been
held at Leigh Sports Village, and brings to an end a five-year
relationship with previous host venue, The Halliwell Jones
Stadium, Warrington.
“The Championships Finals Day has proven to be a day of great
drama and excitement over recent seasons and I’m sure Leigh
Sports Village will provide the perfect setting for more
extraordinary Rugby League action in 2013,” said RFL Chief
Operating Officer Ralph Rimmer.
“Leigh Sports Village is one of the top Rugby League stadia in
the country and has a proud tradition of hosting top-class events,
including England internationals and Gillette Four Nations
games. I look forward to witnessing an action-packed day of
finals unfold at Leigh in front of a bumper crowd, when the
season comes to a climax this September.”
Gordon Johncox, managing director of Championship title
sponsors Kingstone Press, said: “We have a great sense of
excitement at Kingstone Press about the 2013 Championships
Finals Day and we are all looking forward to what I am sure will
be a sporting day to remember. We visited Leigh Sports Village
last week when we met the Championships clubs for the first
time and we were treated to a fantastic welcome. We are
www.leighcenturions.com
Sheffield Eagles celebrate their Grand Final victory in 2012.
KINGSTONE PRESS
CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY-OFFS - 2013
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
QUALIFYING
PLAY-OFFS
PRELIMINARY
SEMI-FINAL 1
QUALIFYING
SEMI-FINAL 1
1st v 4th
Highest Ranked Loser of
1st 2nd 3rd 4th
v
Lowest Ranked Winner Of
5th 6th 7th 8th
Highest Ranked
Qualifying Play-off Winner
v
Lowest Ranked Preliminary
Semi-Final Winner
ELIMINATION
PLAY-OFFS
PRELIMINARY
SEMI-FINAL 2
QUALIFYING
SEMI-FINAL 2
5th v 8th
Lowest Ranked Loser of
1st 2nd 3rd 4th
v
Highest Ranked Winner Of
5th 6th 7th 8th
Lowest Ranked
Qualifying Play-off Winner
v
Highest Ranked Preliminary
Semi-Final Winner
2nd v 3rd
6th v 7th
www.leighlife.com
Week 4
GRAND FINAL
Winner Qualifying
Semi-Final 1
v
Winner Qualifying
Semi-Final 2
THE CENTURION
33
FIXTURES AND RE SULTS 2013
Key: CHAMP = Championship; TCC = Tetley's Challenge Cup; NRC = Northern Rail Cup
Date
Opposition
Comp
Result
Score
Sun 3rd
Full Back
Wing
Centre
Centre
Wing
Stand Off
Scrum Half
Prop
Featherstone Rovers
CHAMP
Lost
6 - 38
McNally
Sun 10th HUNSLET HAWKS
CHAMP
Won
40 - 0
McNally
Thu 14th Whitehaven
CHAMP
Won
28 - 14
McNally - 1T
Maden
Sun 24th DONCASTER
CHAMP
Hooker
Prop
2nd Row
2nd Row
Loose Fwd
Substitute
Substitute
Substitute
Substitute
Referee
Maden
Littler
Gardner
Pownall
Ridyard - 1T, 1G
Beswick
Ostick
Penkywicz
Spencer
Finnigan
Thornley
Aspinwall
Brierley
Hopkins
Maden
Littler
Gardner - 1T
Pownall
Ridyard - 1T, 6G
Beswick
Ostick - 1T
Penkywicz - 1T
Parker
Finnigan
Goulden
Hopkins - 2T
Brierley - 1T
Aspinwall
Littler
Gardner
Pownall
Ridyard - 1T, 4G
Beswick
Ostick
Penkywicz - 1T
Parker
Finnigan - 1T
Goulden - 1T
Aspinwall
Brierley
Hopkins
Taylor
Penalties
Attendance
Parker
Briscoe
Alibert
12 - 10
2841
Taylor
Spencer
Leatherbarrow
6-8
1419
Spencer
Thomason
6 - 12
763
February
March
Sun 3rd
Keighley Cougars
CHAMP
Fri 8th
SHEFFIELD EAGLES
CHAMP
Sun 17th
Dewsbury Rams
CHAMP
Thu 21st BARROW RAIDERS
CHAMP
Fri 29th
CHAMP
Swinton Lions
April
Mon 1st
Sun 14th
NEXT UP AT LSV
WORKINGTON TOWN CHAMP
Sun 7th
TCCC3
Halifax
CHAMP
Sun 21st
TCCC4
Sun 28th BATLEY BULLDOGS
CHAMP
May
Sun 5th
York City Knights
Sun 19th
CHAMP
NRC
Sun 26th KEIGHLEY COUGARS CHAMP
June
Sun 2nd
FEATHERSTONE R
CHAMP
Sun 9th
Workington Town
CHAMP
Sun 16th
NRC QF
Sun 23rd YORK CITY KNIGHTS CHAMP
Sun 30th
NRC SF
July
Sun 7th
Doncaster
Sun 14th
Barrow Raiders
CENTURIONS
v
SHEFFIELD EAGLES
CENTURIONS
v
BARROW RAIDERS
Kick-Off 7:30 p.m.
Kick-Off 7:30 p.m.
Season Tickets Apply
Season Tickets Apply
CHAMP
CHAMP
Sun 21st
NRC F
Hunslet Hawks
THURSDAY 21st MARCH 2013
KINGSTONE PRESS
Championship Round 8
CHAMP
Sun 21st HALIFAX
Sun 28th
FRIDAY 8TH MARCH 2013
KINGSTONE PRESS
Championship Round 6
CLUB CONTACTS
CHAMP
August
Sun 4th
SWINTON LIONS
CHAMP
Fri 9th
Sheffield Eagles
CHAMP
Sun 18th
Whitehaven
CHAMP
Thu 22nd
Batley Bulldogs
CHAMP
Telephone:
01942 487887
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/leighcenturionsfanpage
Email:
General Enquiries –
[email protected]
Twitter:
twitter.com/LeighCenturions
or tweet us @LeighCenturions
September
Sun 1st
34
DEWSBURY RAMS
CHAMP
THE CE NTURION
www.leighcenturions.com
www.leighlife.com
THE CENTURION
35
CHAMPIONSHIP TABLE
as at 6 February 2013
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
P
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Featherstone
Halifax
Batley
Sheffield
Doncaster
Dewsbury
Leigh
Whitehaven
Hunslet
York
Workington
Keighley
Swinton
Barrow
W
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
0
0
0
D
0
00
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
L
0
68
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
3
For
118
38
90
75
56
56
74
62
46
60
26
42
42
28
Against
38
30
27
44
30
42
52
62
66
86
56
88
100
114
Diff
80
0
63
31
26
14
22
0
-20
-26
-30
-46
-58
-86
Bonus
0
9
1
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
1
2
1
1
Points
9
7
7
7
7
6
6
4
4
4
2
1
1
CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES
7th-10th February 2013
Thursday 21st February
Round 4
Barrow Raiders v Batley Bulldogs
(PREMIER SPORTS)
Referee
C. Leatherbarrow
Saturday 23rd February
Keighley Cougars v Swinton Lions
S. Ganson
Sunday 24th February
Dewsbury Rams v Whitehaven
Featherstone Rovers v Hunslet Hawks
Leigh Centurions v Doncaster RLFC
Workington Town v Sheffield Eagles
York City Knights v Halifax RLFC
M. Thomason
J. Leahy
G. Stokes
W. Turley
R. Laughton
LISA NEWS From LYNDA PIKE
Next Meeting
will take place on Wednesday 6th March at the Lancastrian
Squash Club, starting at 7:45 p.m. Guests will be announced
nearer to the date, in the programme, and on the LISA website
– www.leigh-isa.org.uk
Quiz Night
At the next meeting, we will also announce details of the
sport and general knowledge quiz we plan to hold, at a later
date. Please contact Lynda Pike if you wish to enter a team
and test your knowledge against the best brains that the
Centurions players and staff can muster. Please support this
event and enjoy a fun-packed evening.
Away Travel
The coach to Keighley on Sunday 3rd March, leaves LSV at
12:00 noon, St. Mary’s Way at 12:10 p.m, and Atherton at
12:15 p.m. The fare will be £9.50 for non-members, and
£7.50 for LISA members.Tickets are available from Finesse,
and our retail outlet on Leigh Market.
Programme designed and printed by Graphic Press 0151 236 8022