Leigh Centurions take the spoils at The Shay

Despite a valiant effort from the Panthers, Leigh Centurions continue their winning streak with a 26-16 victory against the Halifax Panthers under the lights, live on Premier Sports. The defeat makes it a fourth successive defeat for the West Yorkshire outfit.

It was the Panthers that drew first blood nine minutes in with Zack McComb getting over the whitewash from a grubber kick by James Saltonstall. The possession was in favour of  Leigh after that but Halifax managed to keep them at bay until the 25th Minute when back to back penalties put pressure on the defence, a short ball from James Bell sent Mark Ioane over the line, it looked like the Panthers had done enough to keep the big man out but the referee, in prime position, awarded the try, a Ben Reynolds conversion gave the visitors the lead, a lead in which they would retain for the rest of the game.

The Panthers did themselves no favours as the kick restart went out on the full, giving Leigh the ball back to attack again, and attack they did when just four minutes later, in form Centurion Nene MacDonald crashed over the line for Leigh to extend their lead.

Halifax tried to build the pressure towards half time but a combination of errors and some strong defence from Leigh kept the score at 4-10 going in at half time.

Leigh started the second half with vigour as they extended their lead with some impressive link-up play from Aetkins and MacDonalds to put Keanan Brand over for a try. Penalties and errors for both sides set the tone for the next ten minutes of play, but it was Leigh that took advantage of this and punished the error by the Panthers as Tom Amone crashed through a hole in the defence to get his first-ever try.

The hosts took advantage of some sloppy play from Leigh, following back to back penalties and some quick hands from the Panthers saw Man of the match James Saltonstall dive in at the corner for Halifax’s second try of the game, with 13 minutes to go and 12 points the difference the game seemed to be Leigh’s.
A try in the 73rd minute from Joe Wardle set the win in stone for Leigh. It was Halifax Panthers that had the last say with a try from Lachlan Walmsley on the back of some nice ball movement and a floating pass over the top from Joe Keyes, Final score 16-26.

It was a tough day in the office for the Panthers on their Premier sports debut, despite their best efforts to topple the Centurions, at times they were outmuscled in the middle and couldn’t quite get the measure of MacDonald and Inu. They were glimmers of hope across the field and they were able to be some expansive rugby league.

Leigh put on a performance that got the job done, moments of magic by Mellor, strong running in the middle of the pitch and the kicking game of Reynolds was the difference in this clash.

Halifax Panthers: J.Woodburn-Hall, J.Saltonstall, Z.McComb, J.Arundel, L.Walmsley, C.Aston, J.Keyes, D.Murray, B.Moore, N.Mason, J.Ashworth, M.Garside, A.Tangata. INT: K.Wood, T.Gwaze, W.Calcott, E.barber

Tries:

Z.McComb 9″
J.Salstonstall 66″
L.Walmsley 79″

Leigh Centurions: C.Aekins, K.Inu, E.Chamberlain, N.MacDonald, K.Brand, B.Reynolds, J.Mellor, A.Sidlow, A.Smith, T.Amone, J.Wardle, S.Stone, J.Asiata. INT: M.Ioane, A.Hingano, J.McDonnell, J.Bell

Tries:
M.Ioane 26″
N.MacDonald 29″
K.Brand 47″
T.Amone 59″
J.Wardle 72″

Attendance 2,202