Leigh make light work of Halifax to go top of Betfred Championship table

Leigh Centurions assumed pole position at the top of the Betfred Championship with a more than comfortable performance at home to Halifax Panthers, running out 36-0 winners.

Taking advantage of promotion rivals Featherstone Rovers not playing until tomorrow evening, Adrian Lam’s side made it three victories in eight days to head into top spot.

They showed no sign of the fatigue which may have been expected, scoring 18 points in both halves without conceding at the other end.

Perhaps a sign of the test that they had anticipated from a Halifax side which sat 4^th ahead of kick-off, Adrian Lam’s side opted to kick for two points when given a penalty 10 metres out seven minutes in.

Krisnan Inu converted with no problems asked, but that that point, not many would have thought the sides would be poles apart come full time.

Fergy Time

At times throughout, visitors Fax asked questions of the Leythers’ defence without ever forcing the cause. It took the hosts 17 minutes to secure their first try of the afternoon though, winger Blake Ferguson on the scoresheet again.

Scoring in each of his first four games for the Centurions, Australian Ferguson looks to have put any previous troubles behind him. Ironically, ‘Bad Boys’ played out over the tannoy in error after he added another try soon after.

Edwin Ipape is another newfound favourite amongst the Leigh faithful. Winning the Ray French trophy in last week’s 1895 Cup final win over Featherstone Rovers, the Papua New Guinean received a hero’s welcome when he came on as an interchange.

Making a trademark lung-bursting run and heading for the line, Ipape instantly caused Fax issues. He then had to help his team out in defence, seeing out a set of six which the visitors began just 20 metres out.

At the other end prior to the half time hooter, Wigan Warriors loanee James McDonnell had been held up over the line. Leigh weren’t to be denied a second time though, Ben Reynolds touching down over the all-important white line.

Strong Second Half Showing

Only some last-ditch defence prevented Lam’s men from adding to their tally soon after the restart, ex-Leigh forward Matty Gee forced off after dragging Reynolds back from the line.

Scrum half Reynolds is the Centurions’ seventh-highest ever points scorer, and did eventually get over for a try on 47 minutes.

Halifax then went close, themselves held up over the line before Leigh’s Inu got ten minutes in the sin-bin from referee Rob Hicks following a high tackle. That came amidst a quite scrappy period for both sides, neither able to make their chances count.

Ata Hingano changed that on 61 minutes, cruising over with Halifax giving him all of the space and time in the world to do so.

Just one more try was to follow, that coming eight minutes from time via centre Nene Macdonald. The second division’s top scorer, Macdonald found himself in space to touch the ball down following some swift hands to switch the ball across to him in the left corner.

Having now racked up a 10^th consecutive win in all competitions, up next for Leigh is the big one. Featherstone come to town on Monday, June 13.

Whatever happens when the Rovers host Bradford Bulls tomorrow evening, Leigh could be top of the league with the same games played come the middle of the month. Only Fev have beaten them in the Championship so far this year, that coming away from home back in Round 2.

Halifax meanwhile travel to Whitehaven’s LEL Arena on Sunday, June 12. Now sat 5^th, improvement will be needed if Simon Grix’s side are to be successful up in Cumbria.

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