Adrian Lam and Tom Nisbet pleased with Leigh Centurions’ opening day win over Whitehaven but know tougher tests lie ahead

Leigh Centurions Head Coach Adrian Lam and winger Tom Nisbet were both happy to have got off to a winning start in the Championship after a 50-4 opening day win against Whitehaven, however, they recognised that tougher tests will lie ahead.

Papua New Guinean boss Lam took the reigns at the Leigh Sports Village in November following the club’s relegation from the Super League and his own departure from local rivals Wigan Warriors.

Having seen his new side run in nine tries in their first competitive outing of the season, three of which came from new signing Nene Macdonald, the 51-year-old was delighted with what he saw.

“I’m very pleased with the result, the performance and with a group of players that haven’t had much time together. They’re clicking really quickly and that’s great for me.

“Our intent during the game was the most pleasing part for me and I think that’s going to be key throughout the season.

“Apart from a 15-minute period where the game went flat, I’m really pleased overall. I think Leigh fans will have seen a team today that’s going to be competitive, and we hope that we can show them we’re a good team moving forwards.”

Prior to the new campaign getting underway, many tipped Leigh along with Featherstone Rovers as the main promotion threats in the second division.

It is the Rovers who the Leythers will come up against next, making the trip to Yorkshire a week tomorrow, and Lam knows how tough that game could be.

“The first six or seven games for us come against the top half of the draw in my opinion, so it only gets harder. That’s what we’re all here for though and we’re looking forward to it.

“For me, in the first six weeks of the competition, the players will get to know one another more and work on combinations because most haven’t played with each other before.

“Most importantly, our intent was good going forward today and the defence was good too for the majority of it.”

Signed on a season-long loan from St Helens after initially joining up with Leigh towards the back end of last season, winger Nisbet scored two tries in the opening day win over Whitehaven.

Linking up well with Keanan Brand down the right edge, the 22-year-old admitted that he has loved his time with the club so far.

“Since I’ve come in, the people have been really nice and warming. I’m enjoying being around the lads and see them more as close friends than just teammates.

“We’re all together forming close bonds and I think there’s more to come. Today was a first hit out in a while for me personally, and I’m happy with how it went.”

Similarly to his new Head Coach, Nisbet recognised that tougher tests will follow starting with Featherstone.

“Fev is going to be a tough game, we’ll go down there on Monday night, and we know that it’s not going to be easy.

“We need to stick together and work for one another, but I’m excited for it. I believe in us, and I believe that we can get the win.

“Just from today’s game, I think you can take good things from it and see that we could do really well this year. I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.”

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