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CENTURIONOFFICIAL MATCHDAY MAGAZINE OF LEIGH CENTURIONS RUGBY LEAGUE CLUB

3/2015

Friday March 20 2015Leigh Sports VillageKick off 8.00pmLadbrokes Challenge Cup Fourth Round

LEIGH CENTURIONSv LONDON BRONCOS

THE

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HONOURSWinter era (1895-96 to 1995-96)Championship Winners:1905-06, 1981-82Division Two Champions: 1977-78, 1985-86, 1988-89Challenge Cup Winners:1921, 1971Lancashire Cup Winners: 1952, 1955, 1970, 1981 (runners-up 1909,1920, 1922, 1949, 1951, 1963, 1969)BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Winners: 1969, 1972 (runners-up 1968, 1976)South West Lancashire & BorderTowns Cup Winners: 1901ITA TV Trophy runners-up 1955

Summer era (1996 to date)League Leaders: Premiership 2001, National League One 2004, Championship 2014Grand Final Winners: National League One 2004, Championship 2014 (runners-up: Premiership 2000, 2002,National League One 2003)National League Cup Winners: 2004, 2006, 2011, 2013 (runners-up 2003)Trans-Pennine Cup Winners: 2001 (runners-up 2000)

CLUB RECORDSHighest Score For: 92-2 v Keighley, 1986Highest Score Against: 4-94 v Workington Town, 1995Highest Home Attendance: 31,326 v St Helens, 1953Highest Home Attendance at LSV: 7,449 v Bradford Bulls, 2015

GAME RECORDSTries: 6 by Jack Wood in 1947 and Neil Turley in 2001Goals: 15 by Mick Stacey in 1976Points: 42 by Neil Turley in 2004

SEASONAL RECORDSTries: 55 by Neil Turley in 2001Goals: 187 by Neil Turley in 2004Points: 468 by Neil Turley in 2004

CAREER RECORDSAppearances: 503 by Albert WorrallTries: 189 by Mick MartynGoals: 1043 by Jimmy LedgardPoints: 2492 by John Woods

WWW.LEIGHCENTURIONS.COM THE CENTURION 3

WHO’S WHOAT LEIGH CENTURIONS FROM THE TOP

WELCOME BACK!It gives me great pleasure to welcome the players, officialsand directors of London Broncos back to LSV tonight so soonafter the Kingstone Press Championship match between ourteams. That game was a great advertisement for Championship rugby and Ibelieve that the two teams are quite capable of putting on a greatshow for us again.The Broncos have been to Wembley in the modern era, whilst we mustgo back to 1971 for our last visit and I hope that the winner oftoday's match goes on to have great success in this year’s competitionand maybe gets to visit Wembley again!

HIT THE GROUND RUNNINGWhen this season’s fixtures were released, a quick glance atthe first five matches showed a very difficult period for theCenturions to open our campaign. Sitting now, as we do, at the top of the table and undefeated afterthose five games, I am incredibly proud of everything that has beenachieved. The performance of the players on the field is a testimony tothe hard work of Paul Rowley and his team of coaches and supportstaff, and to the vision of Derek Beaumont in building this group ofplayers, the like of which I did not expect to see at LSV when I washere as a fan just two years ago. Irrespective of what happens tonight, Leigh Centurions have put astamp on the early stages of the Championship and we will continueto work hard on and off the pitch to ensure that, at the end of theseason, we are still where we want to be!

AMATEUR SCENEOver the past month I've been fortunate to watch quite afew games featuring our local Community clubs, includingan under-16s game between Miners and East. What becomes apparent while standing on the touchline on a coldSunday morning is the fantastic effort put into the clubs by numerousvolunteers and family members to make sure that all kids involvedhave a great time and enjoy playing this fantastic sport.We are blessed in Leigh to have such a great tradition of strongamateur clubs and we at the Centurions will do everything in ourpower to help them, at any level from under 7s to open age, andensure that the town of Leigh continues to be known as a hotbed ofRugby League. Leigh Miners are of course in Challenge Cup actionthemselves this weekend against Oxford and I know that all our Clubwish them well and have offered them support in various areas inpreparation for the tie.

LADBROKESWe were delighted to learn that our fixture against LondonBroncos has been selected by Challenge Cup sponsorsLadbrokes as a show case match. This means Ladbrokes will be attending the game this evening andbringing with them their perimeter advertising and soft branding. Inaddition, the Challenge Cup will be available for display pre matchand on team entry and will make this evening extra special. It will be interesting to gauge the reaction of fans and sponsors to thereturn of Friday night rugby to LSV and if we do attain our goal ofSuper League down the line I’m sure there will be many moreThursday and Friday night games to enjoy.

MEMORIESWhen Kevin Sinfield recently passed the points scoredrecord of John Woods to become the fourth highest scorer inthe history of English Rugby League it gave me the chanceto reflect on the fantastic games I watched in the 1980swhen Woody was in his prime. I dug out an old DVD I have of a match in the Challenge Cup at HullKR in 1981–82 season when we went to Rovers on a cold and windyday to defeat them in front of the television cameras. The matchcontained one of my abiding memories when Des Drummond camefrom the opposite side of the pitch to tackle Steve Hubbard into touchjust as he thought he was scoring the winning try! I was lucky enoughto be there that day and to be at Whitehaven when we won the leaguelater that season, and I hope that over the coming years we can giveour younger fans the opportunity to experience those occasions thatlead to great memories like the ones I have of that time.

FILM PREMIEREWhat a pleasure it was to attend last week’s Film Premiereat Cineworld Leigh featuring our ex-forward Mark Shealsand his film The Caravan. Mark joined Leigh in 1990 and maintains his love affair with the cluband comes to as many games as he can. He is a fantastic ambassadorfor our club and it was typical of him that he chose to stage thePremiere in the town he holds so dear. It was a glitzy and specialnight and the film was fantastic. Mark wore Leigh Centurions gear inthe film and drank coffee from a Centurions mug. The exposure hegave to our Club was fantastic. I know that the players, directors andinvited guests enjoyed the evening as much as I did. It wasmarvellous.

LCTVFred Parkinson and his son Dave and their team of helperscontinue to work incredibly hard for the Club and recentlypassed an important milestone with subscriber number 1000to the popular and invaluable LCTV channel that is availableto subscribers at a bargain subscription of £32pa. Dave even went across to Dewsbury last week to film the friendlyWarm Up game for our Reserves- what dedication and what a service.In addition LCTV now offer commentary on our games. AtFeatherstone, despite not being able to access broadband theysomehow broadcast via Dave’s ipad and had 229 listeners, a numberthat is sure to grow as words gets around. The service continues to gofrom strength to strength. Great work Fred and Dave and everyoneelse involved in LCTV including the four UCLAN students led by ChrisStott who have working with us. Chris, Drew Darbyshire, Kieran Makinand Robert Lee have been gaining valuable work experience whileenhancing the output of LCTV in a mutually beneficial relationshipand it’s great to have them on board.

FINALLYIt was very sad to learn of the recent passing of our formerplayer Milton Huddart, who was a member of the Leighteam that reached the semi-final of the Challenge Cup undercoach Billy Benyon in 1987. A tribute to Milton will be featured in the forthcoming homeprogramme against Whitehaven, another of his former clubs. Ourcondolences go out to his family and friends. Milton was a verypopular and talented player and will be sadly missed.

Leigh Centurions TV Mr Fred Parkinson- Senior ProducerMr Dave Parkinson - Head CommentatorMr Joe Wood - Match Summariser

Club AmbassadorMr Alex Murphy OBE

FOOTBALL AND SUPPORT STAFF Head CoachMr Paul RowleyAssistant CoachesMr Neil JukesMr Paul Anderson (also Reserves Team Coach)Mr Simon Finnigan (also Player Welfare Manager)StatisticianMr Cliff SumnerReserves Team Assistant CoachMr Steve MayoReserves Team ManagerMr Don BoyleStrength and Conditioning CoachesMr Nathan PenningtonMr Dave BellClub DoctorDr John Morgan, Bucket & SpongeMedical ServicesPhysiotherapistsMs Emma FletcherMs Hannah LloydMr Ryan Douglas (Reserves Team)MasseurMr Robert StewartAssistant TrainerMr Steve MadenTraining AssistantMr Thomas WoodKit ManagersMr Sean Fairhurst, Mr Frank Taylor andMr Tommy Mather

Hon Life PresidentMr Tommy Sale MBE

Hon Vice PresidentMr Andy Burnham MP

Hon Life MembersMr Brian BowmanMr Tommy ColemanMr Michael LathamMr John MasseyMr Alan PlattMr Frank Taylor

Board of DirectorsMr Michael Norris- ChairmanMr Steve Openshaw- Acting CEOMr Derek Beaumont- Head of RugbyMr Michael Latham- Media andCommunicationsMr Allan Rowley- Operations

Commercial ExecutiveMrs Amanda Lee

Retail Outlet ManagerMrs Gillian Jolley

Finance ManagerMs Jane Smith

IT & Ticket SalesMr Andrew Parkinson

Lottery ManagerMs Christine Brown

Lottery Co-ordinatorMr Johnathan Simpkin

Social Media ManagerMr Darren Lilly

Official Club PhotographerMr Brian King

LEIGH CENTURIONS CHAIRMAN MICHAEL NORRIS

KEY CONTACTSAmanda Lee - Commercial ExecutiveSponsorship & Commercial SalesTelephone: 01942 487898E-mail: [email protected]

Jane Smith - Accounts ManagerTelephone: 01942 487885E-mail: [email protected]

Christine Brown - Lottery ManagerTelephone: 01942 487892 E-mail: [email protected]

Jonathan Simpkin- Lottery Co-ordinator Telephone: 01942 487880E-mail: [email protected]

Gillian Jolley - Retail Outlet ManagerTelephone: 07941 283027E-mail: [email protected]

Andrew Parkinson - Ticketing & ITTelephone: 01942 487888E-mail: [email protected]

Mike Latham - Press & Media EnquiriesE-mail: [email protected]

Fax Number: 01942 487889

Write to us:Sporting Club Leigh Ltd.,Leigh Sports Village Stadium,Sale Way, Leigh, WN7 4JY

WWW.LEIGHCENTURIONS.COMTHE CENTURION2

Telephone: 01942 487887

Email:General Enquiries – [email protected]

Twitter:twitter.com/LeighCenturions or tweet us @LeighCenturions

Facebook:www.facebook.com/leighcenturionsfanpage

COACH’SCORNER


DAVE PARKINSON CAUGHT UP WITH HEAD COACH PAUL ROWLEY AFTER EACH OF OUR RECENTGAMES, STARTING WITH THE LONDON GAME...

DP: A GREAT RESULT AGAINST LONDON PAUL,WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT?PR: As a team we were highly motivated and we dedicated our win toFui's nephew. I want to give him a lot of credit for the way he's appliedhimself over his training and his performance. It took strong characterbut he also had a lot of love and support from his team-mates.

I want to also credit my assistant Neil Jukes. I think he's been fantasticfrom the start and I'll continue to raise his profile because he's a keypart to what we do as are Paul Anderson and Simon Finnigan, as areour medical staff.

DP: YOU GAVE ANDREW DIXON HIS DEBUT, HOW DOYOU THINK HE WENT?PR: I thought he had an excellent debut. There is never a risk there ashe plays with a lot of energy and commitment, and that's just what wegot to be honest.

DP: SOME SUBLIME BITS OF SKILL ON SHOW TOO?PR: There was certainly some magic on show for such cold and wetweather; to play some of that stuff is credit to them and bodes well forthe future when the sun starts shining.

POST DONCASTER...Leigh followed that 25-12 home success with a bigger 54-18 victory at Doncaster.DP: CONGRATULATIONS, ANOTHER HANDSOMEVICTORY, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT?PR: They had their regular halfbacks missing and they weren't asfortunate with their duals this week which is a down side; but Ithought again we came up with some moments of magic.

It was a little bit stop start; but to score fifty-odd points on Doncasterwhich last year wasn't a happy hunting ground, has definitely laid thatghost to rest and it sets us up nicely, that's now four in a row and willdo our points difference a world of good. We put a show on at timesand the strong Leigh following appreciated it.

DP: AND SO MANY OF THOSE TRIES SCORED FROMLONG RANGE.PR: There were, and we spoke about that. I was a little concernedabout that at times, not what we were doing at long range but thereasons why we weren't starting our sets in better field position. Weknew how to fix it up, although I don't think particularly we did that inthe second half but it's something we'll be working on.

DP: WAS THAT THE MOST FRUSTRATING PART OFTHAT SECOND HALF PAUL, THERE WERE A LOT OFMISTAKES?PR: There were but there were some pulled back that weren't; GreggMcNally to Ridy, Sam Barlow's, I don't think anyone was in a position tojudge it. It was stop-start because we kept scoring a lot of tries and if

you chuck in a couple of decisions from officials and errors, then it isstop-start. It depends whether you are a glass half-full or glass half-empty person Dave; we'll go with the half-full because of the number oftries and wonderful tries they were too!

DP: FOUR OF THEM TO LIAM KAY?PR: He did great did Liam; he took a knock and actually scored hislast two tries whilst suffering from a dead leg. Liam's overall game wasstrong; he looked a handful every time as he always does.

POST FEATHERSTONE...DP: PAUL, CONGRATULATIONS ON ANOTHER FINERESULT AT FEATHERSTONE, BUT WHAT DID YOU SAYAT HALF-TIME AS YOU DIDN'T SEEM TO BE GETTINGTHE BREAKS IN THAT FIRST HALF?

PR: We didn't because we had no control of the ruck in the first half;we were off too quickly defensively and we spoke about fixing that upand also we were getting no momentum with our ruck speed so wespoke about being patient.

We spoke in particular about our last plays - our kicks were very poorand we were killing ourselves, we understood that, what we did takesome confidence from was the fact we came in with a better bodylanguage than them and for a team that had dominated field positionand territory. I don't think the body language mirrored that sort ofdominance where I thought our boys were quite happy and quiteenergetic with the way that we approached that second half; we knewthat we'd get our moment in the sun and that second half proved it.

We had more patience and played on the quick rucks when the timingwas right. I think we completed 17 of 18 sets which is phenomenal,that's aggressive rugby. History tells us that every time we win a biggame in places like Featherstone, you need those sorts of stats; wecame up with them and the other thing you need is a full team effortand I thought we got it. Everyone played a huge part including thesubs that came on. Everyone had an important role.

DP: THAT DEFENCE WAS AWESOME SECOND HALFWASN'T IT? THEY TRIED TO GET FORWARD ANDJUST COULDN'T.PR: It's a long view when you are in that corner particularly now theyhave lengthened that pitch. They have lengthened it but they havecarried the hill on. It's a tidy ground at Featherstone now and bothcrowds were brilliant. Every pass is forward at Featherstone so weneeded a bit of game sense as well and I thought we made it verydifficult for them and had too much energy in the end.

We spoke about the five game block we had and to achievethat is a bit of a landmark. It's still daunting looking forwardwith the teams around the corner. It's such a tough league,as the results already tell us.

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LEIGH v LONDON BRONCOS CHALLENGE CUP 48pp.pdf 1 17/03/2015 16:03

CAPTAIN’SCORNERMIKE LATHAM CAUGHT UP WITH LEIGHCENTURIONS CLUB CAPTAIN OLIVER WILKES AFTERLAST SUNDAY’S WIN AT FEATHERSTONE ROVERS.

WWW.LEIGHCENTURIONS.COM THE CENTURION 7WWW.LEIGHCENTURIONS.COMTHE CENTURION6

ML: Last Sunday brought to an endthe first tranche of fixtures in theKingstone Press Championship, andthe Centurions top the table withfive from five.OW: It’s been a very satisfying start. Weidentified those first five games as key tosetting our standards for the season. Thelist included the two relegated clubs fromSuper League, the two top clubs in theChampionship last year other thanourselves and the only team to beat us inthe league in 2014. To emerge from thatfive with five wins is very satisfying. It’sbeen an intense start and one that’s testedthe capabilities of the squad to the fulland sets the benchmark for what we wantto achieve this year.ML: Your thoughts on theFeatherstone game?OW: Rolls highlighted that they’d give us asevere test for 60 minutes. In the end itturned out to be 40. That first half wastough and we lacked our usual fluency.But we came out in the second half andblew them away with some fantasticrugby. We were slick, fast, strong, intenseand clinical. Some of the rugby we playedwas fantastic, and I know our greattravelling band of supporters loved it.ML: Are the benefits of full-timetraining beginning to bear fruit?OW: It’s been a big transition for the cluband one they’ve planned and handledextremely well. We are only into monthfive having started pre season inNovember. The players have more time toprepare, to recover from games and tohone their skills and strength andconditioning. They also get the chance tospend some quality family time inmidweek. It’s a win-win situation and allcredit to Derek Beaumont for making ithappen. A lot of players in theChampionship will set off for their day jobsat 7am and get home from training at10pm. It’s a long day and physically andmentally draining.

All the Leigh players have experienced thatin the past so that’s what makes themappreciate the current structure so much.ML: A change of competition todaywith London Broncos in town for theLadbrokes Challenge Cup.OW: The Challenge Cup is written into thefolklore of the history of Leigh, and thewin in 1971 is still talked about almost ona daily basis. The players and the player-coach, Alex Murphy have their names inlocal history and will never be forgotten.Last season we progressed through threerounds and then put up a great fightbefore losing to Leeds in the quarter-final.This evening we start the campaign allover again. We know that the Broncos area tough, experienced and quality teamwith some great players and they will posea stiff test. It must be the tie of the roundand I understand that the sponsors haveidentified it as such and that theChallenge Cup will be on display tonight.We’re all excited at playing a Friday nightgame under the lights at LSV. Theatmosphere should be fantastic and ourfans will be cheering us on. It’s a break

from league action and a chance to start anew campaign and see where it takes us.ML: And on a personal level you’recounting down the games towardsthe great milestone of 400 seniorgames.OW: Yes, it all started for me in 1998 withmy Super League debut for SheffieldEagles against St Helens - what a start -we lost 50-0. At Featherstone I played my398th game so I’m two short of 400. It’sbeen a long journey, a highly enjoyableone and it’s fantastic to be playing in sucha great team with so many great players.Who’d have thought I’d be captainingFuifui Moimoi and Gareth Hock? I have topinch myself sometimes. We have so much competition for placesin the front row that no-one can take theirplace for granted. You look at the qualityof the players in the squad that didn’tfeature on Sunday at Featherstone. It’sthat competition that drives us on andmakes us appreciate and value our spot.I’m as excited looking forward togame 399- if selected- as I waslooking forward to my debut.

LEIGH players enjoyed the red carpet treatment last weekas a film starring a former Centurions forward got its glitzypremiere.Cineworld in Leigh was the venue for the first UK showing of TheCaravan which stars ex-Leigh player Mark Sheals. Current and formerplayers along with Head Coach Paul Rowley, who was celebrating his40th birthday mixed with the film’s stars and producers. Sky Sportswere also there to film the event.Sheals, who remains a big Leigh supporter and was at the last homegame with his family has worked with Hollyoaks and The Fall starKaren Hassan and Bridget Jones actress Sheila Henderson in TheCaravan.And as well as starring in it, the Astley based 48-year-old formulatedthe plot, along with co-star Darren Connolly.The film focuses on the estranged family relationship of anemotionally wounded father and son who are forced to address theghosts of their past in order to be able to look ahead. In it, Markwears Centurions kit supplied by the club and some of the sceneswere filmed at Leigh East. Sheals drinks from a Centurions mugthroughout the film and rugby league gets plenty of exposure.Father-of-two Sheals said: “I have been acting for the last eight years,working with Robert Downey Jnr in Sherlock Holmes: A Game ofShadows, plus roles in Coronation Street and Shameless. I gottypecast as a gangster because of my size and I wanted to do

something different. My friend Darren, who lives in Middleton, askedto work with me to show us in a different light and we developed ascript, which became The Caravan.“We had an idea of what we wanted to do and Chris Green wrote itfor us. We got a producer and got funding from White and Co inManchester and it snowballed. We were really excited about thepremiere, especially as it was so local.”Sheals began his career with Swinton before joining Leigh in 1990.He played 58 times for Leigh, scoring 10 tries. He also had stints withWakefield Trinity and Oldham.Following his retirement from the sport he entered another realm:acting. “At school I was good at drama and sport” he said. “I signedpro rugby forms at the age of 16 and that took me into my career.“Then I became a self-employed salesman, selling sports products. In2007 bosses working on the film Rise of the Footsoldier wanted touse my tracksuits and I went down for the day and ended up being inthe stunt room for a fight scene. That triggered my acting love again.“I got an agent in London but didn’t get any jobs, so I went back toManchester, signing with Urban Talent, which got me a role in thefifth series of Shameless.“I also had a role in London Road, with Olivia Coleman and TomHardy.”The Caravan is available in digital format from March 16.

FILM PREMIEREBY MARK TAYLOR (LEIGH REPORTER & WIGAN EVENING POST)


LEIGH CENTURIONSPLAYERS ASSOCIATION Q&A


CHRIS WILKINSON WAS ROY LESTER’S FIRST SIGNING FOR FULHAM WHEN HE TOOK OVER AS COACH IN

THE SUMMER OF 1984. HE PLAYED A BIG PART IN HELPING ROY RESCUE THE LONDONERS AND KEEP THE RL

FLAG FLYING IN LONDON. CHRIS FINALLY REALISED HIS DREAM OF PLAYING FOR HIS HOMETOWN CLUB

LEIGH AND MADE HIS DEBUT DURING THE 1994-95 SEASON, GOING ON TO SCORE 8 TRIES AND KICK 160

GOALS IN 50 GAMES. CHRIS IS TODAY’S SUBJECT OF THE POPULAR LEIGH CPA Q&A.

CHRIS WILKINSON pictured on the front of theCenturion in 1997

CHRISWILKINSONDate of Birth 2/3/1965Place of Birth LeighHeight 5ft 7 Weight 12st 5Twitter address WHAT’S TWITTER?Heritage Number 1092Year of Leigh Debut 2/4/1995Former Club(s) FULHAM, DEWSBURY, SWINTONFormer Amateur Club(s) LEIGHJUNIORS/BOARS HEAD.Representative HonoursENGLAND UNDER 16'SHonours won AMATEUR LANCASHIRE CAPS

RUGBY STUFFFamily links with Rugby LeagueNONEAge when I first played Rugby League andwhereAGE 7 FOR LEIGH JUNIORS.How I first got involved playing RugbyLeagueTERRY RYAN AT LEIGH JUNIORSTeam I supported as a kid LEIGHMy Sporting Hero as a kid and why? JOE FRAZIER – BECAUSE HE WAS ALWAYS THEUNDERDOGMy current Sporting Hero and whyROGER FEDERER – BECAUSE OF HIS TOTALDEDICATION TO HIS SPORTPerson who helped my career the mostTERRY RYAN/ROY LESTERMy Best Rugby MemoryBEING PROMOTED TO THE OLD DIVISION ONEBEFORE SUPERLEAGUE WITH SWINTON IN 1991Best Rugby Memory of 2014THE AUSSIE FINAL OF RABITOHS V BULLDOGSWHEN SAM BURGESS PLAYED FOR ALMOST 80MINUTES WITH A FRACTURED CHEEKBONE ANDWENT ON TO WIN MAN OF THE MATCH. WHATCOURAGE! I HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING SAMBURGESS’S CAREER HAVING KNOWN HIM AS ACHILD AT DEWSBURY WHEN I PLAYED WITH HISFATHER MARK.Best Player I’ve played with and why TONY GOURLEY – AS A YOUNG LAD HE WAS AFATHER FIGURE WHEN I WAS STARTING MYPROFESSIONAL CAREER AT FULHAMBest Player I’ve played against PETERSTERLING - AS A SCRUM HALF I GOT MAN OF THEMATCH PLAYING OPPOSITE HIM WHEN I WAS ATFULHAM AND HE WAS AT HULL A GREAT

MEMORY AGAINST SUCH A DECORATED PLAYERBest Stadium I’ve played at HEADINGLEYBest Advice I’ve ever been given and bywhomROY LESTER WAS A MASSIVE INFLUENCE ON MYCAREER HIS ADVICE WAS TO ALWAYS BECOMMITTED AND DEDICATED TO MY SPORT ANDTRY NOT TO BE EASILY DISTRACTED Ambitions for Leigh Centurions for 2015GET PROMOTIONWhy I loved playing for Leigh IT”S MY HOME TOWN CLUB AND I WAS PROUDTO REPRESENT THEM EVEN THOUGH IT WAS LATEIN MY CAREERAdvice to any kid wanting to play RugbyLeagueIT’S A TOUGH SPORT THAT PROMOTES DISCIPLINEAND GIVES ENJOYMENT TO MANY PEOPLE SOGIVE IT YOUR ALLOne Rule you could change?FORWARD PASSESOne Rule you could bring in?LESS DEPENDANCE ON VIDEO REFS

ABOUT METhree words to describe yourself DEDICATED AMBITIOUS SOCIABLEMy best characteristicTHE WILL TO WIN AT EVERYTHING EVENSCRABBLE!My bad habitsMY WIFE THINKS I’VE GOT OCDMy superstitions NONE THAT I CAN THINK OFWho I look up toMOST PEOPLE IN RUGBY CAUSE THEY ARE ALLBIGGER THAN ME PLUS MY WIFE WHO IS TYPINGTHIS OUT!Other Sport(s) I like to watchBOXING, TENNIS, FOOTBALL MAINLY BUT I ENJOYALL SPORTSTea or Coffee? Pasta or Beans on Toast?COFFEE AND BEANS ON TOASTFamous person I’d like to meet ROD STEWARTWhich 3 Things I’d like to put in Room 101AUSSIES, MARMITE, STEVOMy Motto in LifeWIN, WIN, WINWhere I see myself in 20 years time RETIREDON A GREEK ISLAND WITH MY WIFE AND ANENDLESS SUPPLY OF VINO

THE BESTMate I have in Rugby LeagueDAVE WHALLEY – PLAYED AMATEUR LEVEL WITHHIM AND HE WAS MY BEST MAN AND IS MY BESTMATE

Match I’ve ever played inHULL KR V LEIGH NOT SURE OF DATE THINK ITWAS CHALLENGE CUP FIXTURE - GREATTRAVELLING SUPPORT STAYED OVERNIGHT LEFTHOTEL TO STANDING OVATION FROM THE FANSAND WON AGAINST ALL THE ODDSMusic I Listen to ROD STEWARTGood Night OutANYWHERE IN AN IRISH PUBHoliday DestinationGREEK ISLANDSTrainers NIKETV programme SOCCER AMSunday Dinner MY WIFE KAREN’S SUNDAY ROASTDay out with friendsBBQ AT MINE WITH LIVE MUSIC AND SHUCK ASTHE ENTERTAINMENT!My Rugby League Dream Team(any player I’ve played with or against)

1 JOE LYDON2 DES DRUMMOND3 GARRY SCHOFIELD4 PAUL NEWLOVE5 MARTIN OFFIAH6 JOHN WOODS7 ANDY GREGORY8 KEVIN WARD9 KIERON CUNNINGHAM10 ADRIAN MORLEY11 PAUL SCULTHORPE12 JAMIE PEACOCK13 ELLERY HANLEY


• Pennine Utilities Ltd• MMI Engineering• Chris Smith• The Britannia• Corlett Electrical• The Centurion

• D K Motor Spares• JR Airport Express• JR Minibuses• JR Taxis• Taylor Drilling Services Ltd• Tom Crompton

• S & J Autos• Hogans Bar• Stephen Fishwick Window

Cleaning Services• HTI Home Improvements• Munchies

LOTTERY NEWSWIN TWO TICKETS FOR THE SUMMER BASHWEEKENDThe Superleigh Lottery arelooking to boost theirmembership as the 2015Kingstone PressChampionship campaignpicks up momentum.Anybody who signs up, ortakes out an extrasubscription between 10thMarch and 10th April will gointo a special draw to wintwo tickets to May's SummerBash Weekend at Blackpool.

To join theSuperleigh Lottery orto increase yourmembership, please contact 01942487892 or [email protected].

For all your property requirements contactSimon Cooke

Fairclough House, 51 Lord Street, Leigh WN7 1BY

Tel 01942 603000 Fax 01942 603442email [email protected] web www.cookeandcompany.co.uk

LOTTERY BUSINESS MEMBERS

Leigh Centurions were saddened to learnthat long standing Lottery agent DerekHartley sadly died recently. Derek supported the Centurions for manyyears, and was a mainstay both at LSV and atHilton Park. He will be very sadly missed.

Lottery Manager Christine Brown said;“Derek was a lovely man, and a very loyalagent to us. We all miss him dearly, and our thoughts arewith Derek’s wife Jean at this sad time”


LOCAL COMMUNITYCLUBS NEWSIN EACH ISSUE OF THE CENTURION WE WILL BE KEEPING AN EYE ON OUR LOCALCOMMUNITY CLUBS. JEFF GORSE SUMMARISES THE LATEST NEWS FROM LEIGH MINERS RANGERS:

Leigh Miners Rangers senior men'steams opened their leaguecampaigns with hard foughtvictories to get the 2015 seasonup and running in style.Following their Challenge Cup exploitsthe first team opened with a derbyagainst Wigan St Patricks and after adisastrous opening which saw theWigan side race into a 14-0 lead insidethe first ten minutes Miners battledback superbly with tries for AdamThomason and Harry Gagen. Patsextended the lead on half time butMiners dominated the second half withscores for Mick O'Boyle, Tommy

Parkinson and the winner five minutesfrom time with Thomason's second.The Alliance side were narrow winnersat Leyland with tries for Gareth Pain (2),Scott Travis and Garry Fitzmartin, whilstthe under-18s opened with a win overCrosfields.Meanwhile on Sunday the women'steam held a rugby taster session atKings Park for girls aged 11-16 as theycontinue their sterling work to promotegirls rugby in the area. Supported by theCenturions' Community Trust, the teamhave a range of plans in place to getmore young women actively involved inthe sport.

Focus for the first team now turns to theChallenge Cup and a fourth round tieagainst Oxford. Miners have reached the fourth roundjust once before in their history, losingto Stanley Gene's Hull KR at Hilton Parkin 1999 after beating Bramley atHeadingley in the previous round. With a place in round five the prize, andOxford themselves debuting at thisstage of the competition, it should be atremendous game this weekend. The tie will be played at LSV tomorrow(Saturday) with a 2-30pm kick-off.

Photos by Paul McCarthy

LONDON BRONCOS TEN-YEAR RECORDYear P W D L F A PTS POSN Av Att Coach2005 Super League 28 13 2 13 800 718 28 6 4,003 Tony Rea2006 Super League 28 11 1 16 556 823 23 7 4,905 Tony Rea/ Brian McDermott2007 Super League 27 10 3 14 495 636 23 9 3,419 Brian McDermott2008 Super League 27 11 0 16 569 763 22 9 3,777 Brian McDermott2009 Super League 27 11 0 16 591 691 22 11 3,436 Brian McDermott2010 Super League 27 7 0 20 494 838 14 13 3,379 Brian McDermott2011 Super League 27 6 1 20 524 953 13 12 2,885 Rob Powell2012 Super League 27 7 0 20 588 890 14 12 2,808 Rob Powell/ Tony Rea2013 Super League 27 5 2 20 487 946 12 13 2,200 Tony Rea2014 Super League 27 1 0 26 438 1237 2 14 1,294 Tony Rea/ Joe Grima

IN TOWN TODAYLONDON BRONCOS


London Broncos make their second visitof the season to LSV having lost three oftheir opening five games in theKingstone Press Championship followingtheir relegation from Super League lastyear.Andrew Henderson has been in temporarycharge of the coaching ranks following thedecision by Joe Grima to step down forpersonal reasons following the defeat herethree weeks ago. Reports have linked the ex-Bradford Bulls and GB coach Brian Noble to aposition at the club, working alongsideHenderson, but nothing had transpired as thisissue of The Centurion went to print.Henderson and Noble worked alongside oneanother as television pundits for Premier Sportsand Noble confirmed talks had taken placewith the Broncos in an interview with BBCRadio 5Live. Noble said: “I’m a big fan ofAndrew Henderson. We’ve worked togetherand I like his talent as a coach. I think heshould be the coach, but if he needs myassistance in some way I think it would besomething I could probably do. We’re clearlynot over the line but we’re in discussions.”Meanwhile Henderson brought in trialist JamieThackray and London Skolars prop DaveWilliams into his squad for last Sunday’s visit toWhitehaven. But the Broncos went down todefeat by 18-16 as ‘Haven earned their firstwin of the season.Prior to that game Gareth Walker wrote atypically insightful column on the Broncos forLeague Express. With his permission the articleis reproduced here. “Grima will be missed,”Walker began. “The first thing anyone who hascome across Grima will tell you is that it wouldbe difficult to meet a nicer bloke. Generouswith his time and genuinely enthusiastic aboutthe game at all levels, Grima has an infectiouspersonality, which helps in a job where thereare a fair few hurdles in front of you.“But much more than that, from the momenthe arrived at the Broncos, Grima was keen topush the kind of long-term vision that the

Broncos have been crying out for.The former Parramatta, St GeorgeIllawarra and Cronulla assistanthad begun to implement a hostof initiatives that looked beyondhow the first team wasperforming on the field.“Youngsters who last year didn’tknow who the first team playerswere this season have two ofthem training alongside themeach session. Amateur clubs whohad little contact with theBroncos in the recent past werere-engaged, with scoutingnetworks and off-field links putinto place. A detailed, long-termplan for the club was formallywritten up and delivered toowner David Hughes, the manwho has supported the clubfinancially with little recentreward for so long.“Grima has worked in juniordevelopment for much of hiscareer, knows the value ofbringing youngsters through andcould see the clear potential inthe capital. His departure left theBroncos with a major decision tomake so early in what was alwaysgoing to be a defining campaignfor them.“What happens at first team levelis undoubtedly vital to the club,and they have hardly set the world on fire inthe Championship to date, despite the likes ofRichie Mathers, Wes Naiqama and JoshCordoba being in their squad. But as otherclubs have found in the past, it isn’t all plainsailing for teams dropping down to this level.The Broncos are there to be shot at in theChampionship this year - arguably more thanany club before them.“Not only are they a genuine outpost in thisdivision, but there is resentment from some

quarters in the advantages they are afforded insuperior central funding, being allowed to runa full junior system that others cannot, andmost recently the ability to dual register withSuper League clubs.“Opposition teams will lack nothing inmotivation all year. So whoever does take onthe coaching job next has a big job on theirhands - both in terms of heading up theBroncos’ long-term aims, and getting thisyear’s campaign in the Championship quicklyback on track.”

No Name dob position height weight

1 Richard Mathers 24/10/1983 Full-back 1.83 93kg

2 Rhys Williams 08/12/1989 Wing 1.8 97kg

3 Ben Farrar 01/12/1986 Centre 1.79 84kg

4 Wes Naiqama 19/10/1982 Centre 1.82 97kg

5 Ben Hellewell 30/01/1992 Wing 1.82 95kg

6 Liam Foran 25/04/1988 Half-back 1.8 88kg

7 William Barthau 30/01/1990 Half-back 1.75 85kg

8 Nick Slyney 02/11/1988 Prop 1.89 108kg

9 Ray Nasso 03/07/1987 Hooker 1.8 86kg

10 Josh Cordoba 29/01/1984 Prop 1.88 102kg

11 Daniel Harrison 15/04/1988 Second row 1.83 97kg

12 Rhys Lovegrove 03/11/1987 Second row 1.85 102kg

13

14 Brad Dwyer 28/04/1993 Hooker 1.73 89kg

15 Matt Garside 01/10/1990 Loose forward 1.83 97kg

16 Glenn Riley 29/01/1992 Prop 1.9 115kg

17 Erjon Dollapi 16/03/1993 Prop 1.83 106kg

18 Jon Wallace 08/10/1994 Prop 1.82 103kg

19 Joe Keyes 17/09/1995 Half-back 1.78 82kg

20 Iliess Macani 06/12/1993 Full-back/Wing 1.8 92kg

21 Joel Wicks 27/10/1994 Hooker 1.79 94kg

22 Oscar Thomas 03/01/1994 Full-back/Half-back 1.8 86kg

23 Toby Everett 22/12/1995 Prop 1.95 105kg

24 Alex Walker 04/09/1995 Full-back/Wing 1.78 81kg

25 Harvey Burnett 17/09/1995 Centre 1.93 99kg

26 Sean Morris 06/05/1989 Wing 1.79 87kg

CHRIS STOTTWELCOMES THIS EVENING’S VISITORS LONDON BRONCOS

RESERVES 2015LEIGH CENTURIONS ARE DELIGHTED TO UNVEIL THE NEWRESERVES TEAM PLAYING KIT FOR THE 2015 SEASON.


Paul Anderson’s Reserves squadgathered recently at the LSV for theofficial photoshoot and formalhanding over of the new kit whichhas been produced and supplied byKukri Sports UK, also kit suppliers tothe Centurions first team. The main shirt sponsors are CSS (NorthWest) Ltd, Louisa Street, Walkden. On behalf of CSS Director DamianHadcroft said: “CSS Builders Merchantsare proud to be associated with theReserves team sponsorship. I would like towish the coaches, players and all thebackroom staff all the best for theforthcoming season.

“It was great to meet the players andcoaching staff at the photoshoot and Iwas very impressed with the level ofprofessionalism and enthusiasm ondisplay that evening. The Reserves teamplays a vital part of the infrastructure ofthe club and has already produced severalfantastic players for Paul Rowley’ssuccessful first-team squad. “Hopefully the support of our companyand that of the other sponsors will furtherenable this highly progressive andambitious club to realise their ambitionsand provide a pathway for young playersto continue their career development insuch a positive and supportiveenvironment.”

CSS are the main front of shirtsponsor and the other shirtsponsors are:Williams and Co;Sumners Butchers Pennington;Balmer Wilcock Ltd;Marstrut;Axford GroupLeigh Community Trust.The Shorts are sponsored by LadyCenturions Supporters Group andrecognise Finley’s Charity, a cause close tothe hearts and minds of Leigh Centurionsofficials, players and supporters. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Meanwhile Paul Anderson’s sidecontinued their preparation for theseason with a 48-30 victory atDewsbury in a Warm-Up game onThursday, 12 March. The full matchcan be viewed on LCTV.Team: Jack Hansen; Josh Swift, Mitch Cox(2 tries), Eze Harper (try), Sam Baggaley;Ben Reynolds (8 goals), Matty Pendlebury(try); Tom Spencer, Lewis Foster (try),Jonny Walker, Jake Williams, Jamie Tracey,Martin Aspinwall. Subs: Luke Warburton, Eliott Liku, TomRoughley, Luke Belshaw, Sam Peet (2tries), Ethan Jukes, Jordan Hill, FrankieHalton (try).

LEIGH CENTURIONS

Damian Hadcroft from CSS (North West) Ltd hands over the sponsored shirt to Reserves teamcoaches Paul Anderson and Simon Finnigan and Captain Elliot Liku.


FROM THE ARCHIVES

Today's photograph from the archives of the Leigh Reporter and Wigan Evening Post shows Leigh hookerMick Higham scoring the first of his two tries in a 34-12 Challenge Cup third round victory over Siddal atHilton Park 15 years ago.

Date Venue Rd Opponents Res For Against14/01/1996 h 3 Egremont W 58 604/02/1996 a 4 Hull KR W 24 011/02/1996 h 5 Bradford L 12 4426/01/1997 h 3 Wigan St Patricks W 68 1009/02/1997 h 4 Sheffield L 18 6201/02/1998 h 3 Hunslet Warriors W 44 415/02/1998 h 4 Sheffield L 11 6631/01/1999 h 3 Norland (Hull) W 42 614/02/1999 a 4 Barrow W 33 1628/02/1999 a 5 Widnes L 17 2030/01/2000 h 3 Siddal W 34 1213/02/2000 h 4 Wakefield L 28 4028/01/2001 h 3 West Hull W 28 511/02/2001 h 4 Salford W 16 1225/02/2001 a 5 Warrington L 10 2027/01/2002 n 3 Simms Cross W 36 1210/02/2002 a 4 Rochdale W 24 2024/02/2002 h 5 Whitehaven W 26 2317/03/2002 h 6 Wigan L 16 3025/01/2003 h 3 Locomotiv Moscow W 62 009/02/2003 a 4 Featherstone L 22 2808/02/2004 n 3 Elland W 64 429/02/2004 h 4 Hull L 14 2103/04/2005 a 4 Batley W 25 8

Date Venue Rd Opponents Res For Against08/05/2005 h 5 Halifax W 40 2025/06/2005 a 6 Hull L 14 4612/03/2006 h 3 Strela Kazan W 80 002/04/2006 h 4 Leeds L 12 3611/03/2007 a 3 Dewsbury L 34 3609/03/2008 h 3 Featherstone Lions W 66 020/04/2008 h 4 Warrington L 16 2808/03/2009 h 3 Lokomotiv Moscow W 82 603/04/2009 a 4 Wakefield L 0 5407/03/2010 h 3 Wath Brow W 52 417/04/2010 a 4 Limoux W 32 2007/05/2010 a 5 Bradford L 16 5806/03/2011 h 3 Hull Dockers W 68 2406/05/2011 h 4 Catalan Dragons L 16 2224/03/2012 a 3 London Skolars W 43 2615/04/2012 h 4 Rochdale W 68 1829/04/2012 h 5 Halifax W 19 1811/05/2012 h 6 Leeds L 12 6006/04/2013 h 3 East Leeds W 50 421/04/2013 a 4 Wigan L 10 6014/03/2014 a 3 Wigan St Patrick's W 74 606/04/2014 a 4 Rochdale W 28 2227/04/2014 h 5 Featherstone Rovers W 26 1606/06/2014 a 6 Leeds L 12 25

LEIGH CENTURIONS RESULTS IN THE CHALLENGE CUPIN THE SUMMER ERA


No. Rnd Date Home team Result Away team1 1 Fri 13th Feb Dewsbury Rams 19-10 Sheffield Eagles2 1 Sun 15th Feb Batley Bulldogs 30-6 Workington Town3 1 Sun 15th Feb Leigh Centurions 36-24 Bradford Bulls4 1 Sun 15th Feb London Broncos 26-22 Doncaster RLFC5 1 Sun 15th Feb Whitehaven RLFC 16-44 Halifax RLFC6 1 Mon 16th Feb Featherstone Rovers 28-14 Hunslet Hawks7 2 Sun 22nd Feb Doncaster RLFC 6-13 Featherstone Rovers8 2 Sun 22nd Feb Bradford Bulls 34-4 Whitehaven RLFC9 2 Sun 22nd Feb Halifax RLFC 6-18 Leigh Centurions10 2 Sun 22nd Feb Hunslet Hawks 14-26 Batley Bulldogs11 2 Sun 22nd Feb Sheffield Eagles 40-6 London Broncos12 2 Sun 22nd Feb Workington Town Post Dewsbury Rams13 3 Sun 1st Mar Batley Bulldogs 2-6 Halifax RLFC14 3 Sun 1st Mar Featherstone Rovers 4-40 Bradford Bulls15 3 Sun 1st Mar Hunslet Hawks 18-6 Dewsbury Rams16 3 Sun 1st Mar Leigh Centurions 25-12 London Broncos17 3 Sun 1st Mar Whitehaven RLFC 6-20 Sheffield Eagles18 3 Sun 1st Mar Workington Town 33-6 Doncaster RLFC19 4 Sun 8th Mar Bradford Bulls 56-6 Hunslet Hawks20 4 Sun 8th Mar Dewsbury Rams 23-16 Whitehaven RLFC21 4 Sun 8th Mar Doncaster RLFC 18-54 Leigh Centurions22 4 Sun 8th Mar Halifax RLFC 12-24 Featherstone Rovers23 4 Sun 8th Mar London Broncos 34-16 Workington Town24 4 Sun 8th Mar Sheffield Eagles 28-16 Batley Bulldogs25 5 Sun 15th Mar Batley Bulldogs 19-26 Bradford Bulls26 5 Sun 15th Mar Featherstone R 6-40 Leigh Centurions27 5 Sun 15th Mar Halifax RLFC 26-13 Dewsbury Rams28 5 Sun 15th Mar Hunslet Hawks 32-12 Doncaster RLFC29 5 Sun 15th Mar Whitehaven RLFC 18-16 London Broncos30 5 Sun 15th Mar Workington Town 12-14 Sheffield Eagles12 2 Wed 18th Mar Workington Town Dewsbury Rams31 6 Fri 27th Mar Dewsbury Rams Featherstone Rovers32 6 Sat 28th Mar London Broncos Halifax RLFC33 6 Sun 29th Mar Bradford Bulls Workington Town34 6 Sun 29th Mar Doncaster RLFC Batley Bulldogs35 6 Sun 29th Mar Leigh Centurions Whitehaven RLFC36 6 Sun 29th Mar Sheffield Eagles Hunslet Hawks37 7 Wed 1st Apr Doncaster RLFC Sheffield Eagles38 7 Fri 3rd Apr Batley Bulldogs Dewsbury Rams39 7 Fri 3rd Apr Bradford Bulls Halifax RLFC40 7 Fri 3rd Apr Featherstone Rovers London Broncos41 7 Fri 3rd Apr Hunslet Hawks Leigh Centurions42 7 Fri 3rd Apr Workington Town Whitehaven RLFC43 8 Mon 6th Apr Featherstone Rovers Sheffield Eagles44 8 Mon 6th Apr Dewsbury Rams Bradford Bulls45 8 Mon 6th Apr Halifax RLFC Hunslet Hawks46 8 Mon 6th Apr Leigh Centurions Workington Town47 8 Mon 6th Apr London Broncos Batley Bulldogs48 8 Mon 6th Apr Whitehaven RLFC Doncaster RLFC49 9 Sun 12th Apr Batley Bulldogs Featherstone Rovers50 9 Sun 12th Apr Bradford Bulls London Broncos51 9 Sun 12th Apr Doncaster RLFC Dewsbury Rams52 9 Sun 12th Apr Halifax RLFC Workington Town53 9 Sun 12th Apr Hunslet Hawks Whitehaven RLFC54 9 Sun 12th Apr Sheffield Eagles Leigh Centurions55 10 Sun 26th Apr Doncaster RLFC Bradford Bulls56 10 Sun 26th Apr Leigh Centurions Batley Bulldogs57 10 Sun 26th Apr London Broncos Dewsbury Rams58 10 Sun 26th Apr Sheffield Eagles Halifax RLFC59 10 Sun 26th Apr Whitehaven RLFC Featherstone Rovers60 10 Sun 26th Apr Workington Town Hunslet Hawks61 11 Sun 3rd May Batley Bulldogs Whitehaven RLFC62 11 Sun 3rd May Bradford Bulls Sheffield Eagles63 11 Sun 3rd May Dewsbury Rams Leigh Centurions64 11 Sun 3rd May Featherstone Rovers Workington Town65 11 Sun 3rd May Halifax RLFC Doncaster RLFC66 11 Sun 3rd May Hunslet Hawks London Broncos67 12 Sun 10th May Dewsbury Rams Hunslet Hawks68 12 Sun 10th May Leigh Centurions Halifax RLFC69 12 Sun 10th May London Broncos Featherstone Rovers70 12 Sun 10th May Sheffield Eagles Doncaster RLFC

No. Rnd Date Home team Result Away team71 12 Sun 10th May Whitehaven RLFC Bradford Bulls72 12 Sun 10th May Workington Town Batley Bulldogs73 13 Sun 17th May Batley Bulldogs London Broncos74 13 Sun 17th May Bradford Bulls Featherstone Rovers75 13 Sun 17th May Doncaster RLFC Workington Town76 13 Sun 17th May Halifax RLFC Whitehaven RLFC77 13 Sun 17th May Leigh Centurions Hunslet Hawks78 13 Sun 17th May Sheffield Eagles Dewsbury Rams79 14 Sat 23rd May Workington Town Whitehaven RLFC Summer Bash80 14 Sat 23rd May London Broncos Sheffield Eagles Summer Bash81 14 Sat 23rd May Bradford Bulls Halifax RLFC Summer Bash82 14 Sun 24th May Dewsbury Rams Batley Bulldogs Summer Bash83 14 Sun 24th May Doncaster RLFC Hunslet Hawks Summer Bash84 14 Sun 24th May Leigh Centurions Featherstone R Summer Bash85 15 Fri 29th May Hunslet Hawks Sheffield Eagles86 15 Sun 31st May Dewsbury Rams Doncaster RLFC87 15 Sun 31st May Featherstone Rovers Batley Bulldogs88 15 Sun 31st May London Broncos Bradford Bulls89 15 Sun 31st May Whitehaven RLFC Leigh Centurions90 15 Sun 31st May Workington Town Halifax RLFC91 16 Sun 7th Jun Batley Bulldogs Sheffield Eagles92 16 Sun 7th Jun Bradford Bulls Doncaster RLFC93 16 Sun 7th Jun Dewsbury Rams Workington Town94 16 Sun 7th Jun Featherstone Rovers Halifax RLFC95 16 Sun 7th Jun London Broncos Leigh Centurions96 16 Sun 7th Jun Whitehaven RLFC Hunslet Hawks97 17 Fri 12th Jun Hunslet Hawks Halifax RLFC98 17 Sun 14th Jun Batley Bulldogs Leigh Centurions99 17 Sun 14th Jun Bradford Bulls Dewsbury Rams100 17 Sun 14th Jun Doncaster RLFC London Broncos101 17 Sun 14th Jun Sheffield Eagles Whitehaven RLFC102 17 Sun 14th Jun Workington Town Featherstone Rovers103 18 Sun 21st Jun Dewsbury Rams Halifax RLFC104 18 Sun 21st Jun Featherstone Rovers Doncaster RLFC105 18 Sun 21st Jun Leigh Centurions Sheffield Eagles106 18 Sun 21st Jun London Broncos Hunslet Hawks107 18 Sun 21st Jun Whitehaven RLFC Batley Bulldogs108 18 Sun 21st Jun Workington Town Bradford Bulls109 19 Sun 28th Jun Bradford Bulls Batley Bulldogs110 19 Sun 28th Jun Doncaster RLFC Whitehaven RLFC111 19 Sun 28th Jun Halifax RLFC London Broncos112 19 Sun 28th Jun Hunslet Hawks Featherstone Rovers113 19 Sun 28th Jun Leigh Centurions Dewsbury Rams114 19 Sun 28th Jun Sheffield Eagles Workington Town115 20 Sun 5th Jul Batley Bulldogs Doncaster RLFC116 20 Sun 5th Jul Featherstone Rovers Dewsbury Rams117 20 Sun 5th Jul Halifax RLFC Sheffield Eagles118 20 Sun 5th Jul Hunslet Hawks Bradford Bulls119 20 Sun 5th Jul London Broncos Whitehaven RLFC120 20 Sun 5th Jul Workington Town Leigh Centurions121 21 Sun 12th Jul Dewsbury Rams London Broncos122 21 Sun 12th Jul Doncaster RLFC Hunslet Hawks123 21 Sun 12th Jul Halifax RLFC Batley Bulldogs124 21 Sun 12th Jul Leigh Centurions Featherstone Rovers125 21 Sun 12th Jul Sheffield Eagles Bradford Bulls126 21 Sun 12th Jul Whitehaven RLFC Workington Town127 22 Sun 19th Jul Batley Bulldogs Hunslet Hawks128 22 Sun 19th Jul Bradford Bulls Leigh Centurions129 22 Sun 19th Jul Doncaster RLFC Halifax RLFC130 22 Sun 19th Jul Sheffield Eagles Featherstone Rovers131 22 Sun 19th Jul Whitehaven RLFC Dewsbury Rams132 22 Sun 19th Jul Workington Town London Broncos133 23 Sun 26th Jul Dewsbury Rams Batley Bulldogs134 23 Sun 26th Jul Featherstone Rovers Whitehaven RLFC135 23 Sun 26th Jul Halifax RLFC Bradford Bulls136 23 Sun 26th Jul Hunslet Hawks Workington Town137 23 Sun 26th Jul Leigh Centurions Doncaster RLFC138 23 Sun 26th Jul London Broncos Sheffield Eagles

NB: Fixtures copyright RFL and subject to change

THE KINGSTONE PRESSCHAMPIONSHIP SEASON 2015

ACTION


v LONDON BRONCOS

MARTYN RIDYARD lines up a kick

TOM ARMSTRONG first try JAKE EMMITT KURT HAGGERTY try

TOM ARMSTRONG second try

GARETH HOCK signs RYAN BRIERLEY try LIAM KAY and young fan

2008 Leigh’s first National League One game of the seasonended in a home defeat, 24-8 at home to Salford at Hilton Park. LeeMarsh scored Leigh’s only try with Ian Watson kicking two goals infront of a crowd of 3,708. This ended Leigh’s seven-match winningstart to the campaign. Former Leigh players Craig Stapleton and JohnWilshere were among the Salford try-scorers.

The Leigh side was: Maden; McAvoy, Rudd, Kohe-Love, Alstead;Marsh, Watson; Hobson, McConnell, Morrison, Wainwright, Doran,Smith. Subs: Roberts, Taylor, Hill, Stewart.

1988 Leigh’s relegation worries increased as they went down 6-10 at Wilderspool in a tightly fought game on a mud-bath againstWarrington. Ian Jeffrey scored Leigh’s try, Chris Johnson kicking thegoal before 3,680 fans. Coach Billy Benyon said: “The performancewas first-class but things didn’t go our way and on top of that theinjury list piled up.” Leigh lost the services of New Zealand trio ShaneHoro, Jeff Clarke and Paddy Tuimavave who had all to return home.

1985 Leigh’s 11th successive league defeat, 12-16 at home toOldham compounded their relegation concerns. Phil Fox scoredLeigh’s try, Phil Johnson kicking four goals before a crowd of 2,701.

1983 Phil Fox scored two tries in Leigh’s 26-6 Division One winat Workington Town before just 1,076 fans. Des Drummond, AlfWilkinson, Geoff Clarkson and Steve Donlan also crossed with JohnWoods kicking four goals.

1977 Caretaker coach Bill Kindon was in charge as Leigh weresliding towards the drop after a disastrous run of results since theturn of the year. Neighbours Wigan compounded their problems witha 40-0 victory before 4,461 fans at Hilton Park.

1974 Despite a superb 11-5 Challenge Cup third round victoryover St Helens and an 18-14 win over Featherstone in their past twogames just 2,500 turned up for the midweek visit of Leeds to HiltonPark. Leigh went down to a 7-18 defeat with Joe Walsh scoring a tryand Jimmy Fiddler kicking two goals.

1971 Two tries each for Joe Walsh and Tommy Canning as Leighbeat Workington Town 27-5 at Hilton Park before 4,999 spectators.

1970 Derek Watts was the lone Leigh try-scorer as Swinton won21-7 at Station Road before 5,150 fans.

1965 Geoff Parry, a recent signing from Rochdale Hornets scoredtwo tries on his Leigh debut in a 13-7 home win over Widnes before3,000 fans. Australian fullback Wally Tallis also made his Leigh debut.Parry went to make only two more first-team appearances for Leighwhile Tallis, described as a giant of a man made six appearances intotal, kicking two goals. His son Gorden, born 1973 became anAustralian international forward.

ON THIS DAYIN HISTORYBY MIKE LATHAM

MARCH

20


The Leigh team at Workington 32 years ago.Back row - Gary Ainsworth, Geoff Clarkson, Alf Wilkinson, Roy Howarth, Ian Potter, Derek Pyke, Mark Bourneville, Graham Worgan, Ray Tabern.

Front row - Steve Donlan, Paddy Kirwan, John Woods, Des Drummond, Mick Hogan, Phil Fox, Gary Stradins.


NEWSWe are delighted to welcomeBedford Packaging as thisevening’s Match Day Hosts inthe Ladbrokes Challenge Cup. Stuart Dick, Director of BedfordPackaging said: “Leigh versus Bradfordwas the first game as a business wehave sponsored and what a great dayout we all had.“Firstly the food and box were brilliantand secondly the game was absolutelyamazing – you couldn’t take your eyesoff it. And to top it off we won the halftime draw.“When we all left we said it was one ofthe best days out we’d had so here weare again sponsoring this cup game.”:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Jason Donohue and the LeighCenturions Players Associationhave kindly sponsored the MatchBall.Jason, who played for Bradford Bulls atWembley in the classic 1996 final said:“The Challenge Cup holds specialmemories for me and for many of theplayers in our association.“On and off the field the club is goingfrom strength to strength and as anAssociation we are delighted to onceagain have the opportunity to supportLeigh Centurions in a meaningful way.”:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Tonight’s Programme Sponsors areour great friends Park Leisure. We hope you all have an enjoyableevening and thank you all for yoursupport of Leigh Centurions.:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::For details of corporateopportunities at Leigh Centurionsplease do not hesitate to contactme on 01942 487898 or by emailon [email protected] Lee, Commercial Executive

PROGRAMME SPONSOR MATCH BALL SPONSOR

MATCH HOSTS

COMMERCIAL

LEIGH CENTURIONS PLAYERS

ASSOCIATION


LEIGH EAST ARLFC

LEIGH EAST PLAYER AND ASSISTANT COACH LEE ROWLEYUPDATES US WITH NEWS FROM THE CLUBSince the last programme notes, theseason has started for both the openage section and junior section at theclub – it’s good to be back!

At under 18’s level, the season has startedwith a couple of mixed results. The teamnarrowly lost to old foes Ince Rose Bridgeaway in the first league game of the season.After regrouping from the setback howeverthe team followed this up with a resounding56 – 0 victory at home to Thatto Heath lastweekend. Coaches Mike Jones and KevinJohnson will be hoping they continue thisform over the next few weeks.:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Leigh East A team have had anencouraging build up to the season. Sincethe last programme, the team came awaywith a hard fought victory over neighboursLeigh Miners in the Lloyd Pugsley MemorialTrophy. This was a real tough old fashionedderby with plenty of spirit shown by bothsides! East narrowly came out victorious ina game dedicated to a man who workedtirelessly for amature rugby in Leigh andalso with the Centurions.

A special mention for a great gesture fromLloyd’s two sons, Lee and Scott, whodonated the gate proceedings to the juniorsections of both clubs – something I’m sureLloyd would have been proud of. Thefollowing week, the team narrowly lost toBank Quay Bulls away in the LancashireCup. It was a good performance overallagainst a team from a division above andgiven a bit more composure in the latterstages could have resulted in a victory.

Unfortunately for the team, the first leaguefixture was postponed last week due toopponents Langworthy not being able toraise a team.:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

At first team level, pre-seasonpreparations were disrupted as on the nightbefore the teams last friendly, Waterheadpulled out as they couldn’t raise a team. Thecoaching staff were then unable to organiseanother fixture at such short notice. Thismeant the team went into last weekend’sopening league fixture at HuddersfieldUnderbank Rangers with some lads not

having much pre-season game time at all. Itwas Leigh East’s first visit to Underbank andit was certainly an eye opener for our twonew Australian recruits Alan Lantry and KoriBarber to see a field that looked like theyhad literally placed on top of a cow field!

The massive dips, hills and slants madeBatley’s Mount Pleasant look like a bowlinggreen in comparison! The stone wallrunning the length of the pitch a yard awayfrom the field did nothing for the Wingersconfidence either.

To much amusement, the lads were alsoscrambling for a picture of the “upcomingevents” sign in the club. On the 28thMarch, the club are hosting a sheep race. £3entry, contact the club if anyone areinterested!:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Into the game, it was a real battle ofattrition with not much room to move onsuch a tight field. Both defences workedhard but it was Underbank who scored thefirst points. A spiral bomb from the half wayline split the East winger and full back andthe ball bounced like a golf ball on a carpark straight into the hands of theUnderbank winger for a try. The try wasconverted to make it 6-0. East hit backhowever after good approach work from

the forwards. The ball was shipped to theleft for Tom Worthington to send wingerJake Beaumont in for an unconverted try.East played much the rugby for the rest ofthe half and had two tries ruled out forforward passes.

It was therefore disappointing to seeUnderbank score next just before half timewith another deep kick bouncing in everydivot before finding Underbank hands for aanother converted try to mean East went inbehind 12-4 at half time. Playing up the hillEast took the game to Underbank in thesecond half and finally made thebreakthrough when full back Billy Allredsliced through from 30 yards out – againthe assist going to Tom Worthington.

The try was converted and it remained 12-10 for the most of the second half. AgainEast had the better of the chances and witha minute on the clock, were awarded apenalty close to the sticks which AdamHolland put over to draw level.

East then made their way up field and setthemselves for a drop goal but as Hollandkicked the ball, he was tackled after it lefthis foot. The referee gave a brave penaltyagain in front of the sticks which Hollandslotted over as the ref blew for full time.

A 14-12 win for East in a true old fashionedbattle that even the Underbank coachconceded was fully deserved. A great startto the season for the club and the players.:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

The junior section got underway lastSunday and will be playing again thisSunday if any fans want to pop down towatch some grass roots rugby league.

LEIGHCENTURIONSSQUAD NUMBERS - 2015Head Coach: Paul Rowley Assistant Coach: Neil Jukes

1 Gregg McNallyCDA Business Services Heritage Number 1350

5 Liam KayGlazing Systems & Installations LtdHeritage Number 1388

9 Bob Beswick (Vice-captain)Ask Platt Office Supplies Heritage Number 1353

4 Tom ArmstrongTommy Sale MBE Heritage Number 1340

8 Fuifui MoimoiAtico's Hair & Beauty Heritage Number 1395

3 Greg WorthingtonWilliams & Co Heritage Number 1394

7 Ryan BrierleyR-Logistics Services Ltd Heritage Number 1354

2 Adam HigsonImpact Insurance Heritage Number 1310

6 Martyn RidyardIntegrated Control Solutions LtdHeritage Number 1314


13 Sam BarlowCorlett Electrical Heritage Number 1387

17 Ben ReynoldsScrewfix Heritage Number -

12 Tommy GouldenCDA Business Services Heritage Number 1330

16 Michael PlattPark Leisure (Plas Coch) Heritage Number 1392

11 Matthew SarsfieldToyfields Adventure Play Centre Heritage Number 1386

15 Jonny PownallAnthony's Travel Heritage Number 1346

10 Oliver Wilkes (Captain)Liniar Heritage Number 1217

14 Sean Penkywicz (Vice-captain) Hamilton FabricationsLtd Heritage No. 1370

21 Jamie ActonLeyther Ladies Heritage Number 1389

25 Cameron PitmanPam Ties Ltd Heritage Number 1383

20 Sam HopkinsIn Memory of Audrey Dale Heritage Number 1347

24 Jonny WalkerAB Sundecks Ltd Heritage Number 1393

19 Kurt HaggertyK Darlington & Son Heritage Number 1321

23 Martin AspinwallSponsorship available Heritage Number 1372

18 Tom SpencerBentleys Motor Group WarringtonHeritage Number 1357

22 Andrew DixonL.I.S.A. Heritage Number 1396

29 Jake EmmittEvans Halshaw Heritage Number 1332

28 Steve MadenSponsorship available Heritage Number 1213

Lewis FosterSponsorship available Heritage Number 1391

Jamie TraceySponsorship available

Neil JukesAssistant Coach

Paul AndersonAssistant CoachReserves Team Coach

Simon FinniganAssistant CoachPlayer Welfare Manager

Paul RowleyHead Coach

FORTHCOMING GAMESEaster Monday 6 April 2015 LEIGH CENTURIONS

V WORKINGTON TOWNKingstone Press Championship

at LSV, KO 1.30pm (NB please note KO time)

Sunday 29 March 2015 LEIGH CENTURIONS V WHITEHAVEN

Kingstone Press Championship at LSVKO 3pm

26 Gareth HockSponsorship available Heritage Number -

PROGRAMMES FROMTHE PAST BY MIKE LATHAM


For today’s look back into the past wego back to 1933 and one of the earliestprogrammes from my own collection.Part of this article appeared in a recentedition of Forty20 magazine and wethank Tony Hannan, the Editor for hispermission to reproduce here.The eye-catching poster advertising theLondon Highfield- Australians match at WhiteCity got me thinking. Sure enough I unearthedthe actual programme for the game and somematch reports and I also rediscovered notes ofan interview I conducted in the late 1980swith ex Leigh forward Harry Woods, one of theplayers from the game.

In the summer of1933 strugglingWigan Highfield, asenior club since1922 were takenover and the teammoved lock, stockand barrel toLondon. The ideawas the brainchild

of the owner of the White City Stadium,Brigadier-General Arthur C Critchley whowanted to find a way of attracting morespectators to the venue to supplement thegrowing popularity of greyhound andspeedway racing. Home games were to beplayed under floodlights and on Wednesdayevenings.It was a revolutionary project and though itlasted only one season had far reachingimplications for the game of Rugby League.The poster in question was for the 25th matchof the Kangaroos’ 37-match tour which hadstarted three months earlier and ended in mid

January. By the time the Kangaroos reachedLondon they had already lost the first two testmatches, albeit narrowly on both occasionsand with them the Ashes. The novelty of the London Highfield game wasthat it was played in the capital on aWednesday evening under floodlights and soattracted far more attention than it mightotherwise. The reward was an official crowd of10,541 (though press reports of the timeintimated a larger attendance) which realisedreceipts of £1,008. It was Highfield’s largestcrowd of the season and though the venturereportedly lost money, they enjoyed areasonable first season, finishing 14th out of28 clubs in the Northern Rugby League.The Press Association reporter was suitablyimpressed. “Keen interest was shown by theLondon public in the visit to White CityStadium of the Australian Rugby Leaguetourists for their first match under floodlightconditions,” he wrote. “The receipts weredouble the sum anticipated.“There was no question as to the superiorityand skill of the Australians who defeatedLondon Highfield by 20pts to 5. The thousandsof rugby union players and supporters presentmust have been impressed by the Tourists’capital display. They seemed bent on showingLondon how the handling code can be played.Highfield, though inferior, did their part asusual in making floodlit rugby a realspectacle.”Looking back through my interview notesmade with Harry Woods, Harry told me what itwas like to play for Highfield. “The playerscontinued to live in the North and we trainedas normal at Wigan Highfield’s old ground atTunstall Lane, which was also used for A Teammatches,” he told me. “Most of the players lived in Wigan or Leighwith a couple coming from Widnes and StHelens. I was working in a foundry at Wigan atthe time and for ahome match wouldhave to ask for halfa day off work,which was no easytask as jobs werescarce in those days.I would leave workat 2pm onWednesdayafternoon and meetup with my team-mates at the stationin Wigan. We wouldthen travel down toEuston and makeour way to theWhite City. The

games usually kicked-off at 8pm. After thegame we would catch the midnight train andarrive back in Wigan in the early hours of themorning. Quite often I would then go straightto work.“It was a punishing schedule,” Harry told me,”but I really enjoyed the season. There weresome great experiences and playing againstthe Australians was one. Playing- and beatingWigan at the White City was another. Wiganblamed their defeat on the lights but that wasrubbish- there was nothing wrong with them.They were the same for both teams.“We did our best to play entertaining rugbythroughout the season and earned lots offavourable comments from spectators, many ofwhom were watching Rugby League for thefirst time. But long before the end of theseason we got the feeling as players that theventure wasn’t going to be a success. Thecrowds were below those anticipated and theowners were losing money.“Personally I blamed that on the nature of thestadium. Although the sands were impressivethe playing pitch was a long way from thespectators due to the tracks (a greyhoundtrack, athletics track and speedway track) andtherefore you lost that intimacy you had at somany other grounds where the spectatorswere much closer to the action.“At the end of the season we were on ourtravels again, this time to play for the newly-formed Liverpool Stanley side, playing at theStanley Greyhound Track in Prescot Road. Wealready had the basis of a good team and wehad a really good team spirit, perhaps fortifiedby all those long train journeys we madetogether. With a considerable injection of cashfrom the new owners we strengthened theside and in 1936 we won the LancashireLeague and came close to reaching theChampionship Final, losing by a point at hometo Widnes in the Play-off semi-final.”

London Highfield players at the station

Harry Woods


LCT & CENTURIONSLEIGH PUPILS HAVE DESIGNSON WHITEHAVEN GAMEPupils from Westleigh High School inLeigh will ‘take over’ the LeighCenturions v Whitehaven match onSunday March 29 to raise awarenessof breast cancer.The event is part of a new skillsprogramme run by the Kingstone PressChampionship club’s community partners,Leigh Community Trust.The project aims to increase theemployability of over 250 13-19 year oldresidents within the borough of Leigh byproviding better access to opportunities toimprove their levels of qualifications andlife skills.As part of the programme, participantshave been undertaking an ASDANEnterprise qualification in which they haveto design and implement an enterpriseevent.

The event is a first for a Championshipclub, to allow a group of 13- and 14-year-old children to design, implement anddeliver the entertainment and promotion ofone of their matchdays.The pupils have already presented theirideas to the club’s Operations Director andreceived the full backing of the Board.The day will have a pink theme andorganisers are asking fans to dress in pinkto support Breast Cancer Awareness.Matchday sponsor Audi have also gotbehind the campaign and will be have abright pink A1 at Leigh Sports Village topromote the day.There will be a number of activities outsidethe stadium, including Westleigh High’s liveSoul band and dancers, bouncy castles andan F1 simulator donated free of charge byAB sundecks for the day.

Skye Mountford, a Year 9 pupil fromWestleigh High School said: “It’s a charitythat is close to me personally and to a lotof people in the local community. It wouldbe great to see the people of Leigh getbehind this great cause and help supportthe team.”Mick Nanyn, New Skills Inclusion Officer,commented on the programme: “Thechildren have taken really well to designingthe matchday, I think it really helps with itbeing an actual event.“They have worked hard over the lastcouple of months to make sure that theydon’t let the charity (Breast CancerAwareness) or the club down. We are sureit will be a great day for the whole of thecommunity and urge people to get down toLeigh Sports Village on Sunday March 29from 1.00pm.”


LISA is an acronym for LeighIndependent SupportersAssociation, and as the namesuggests is an IndependentSupporters Group for the LeighCenturions. LISA has been inexistence for over 15 years, withthe main goal of helping to financenew players to the club which ismainly achieved by members’contributions.

Through generous contributions by LISAmembers and support by Leigh fans ingeneral we have managed to help the clubbring in players who would have notnormally been signed. Below is the LISARoll of Honour for the list of players theclub have signed over the years with thehelp of LISA.

Jamie Kennedy, Graeme Close and Ken Kerr(1999), Adam Bristow (2000), Neil Turley(2001), Vila Matautia (2002), Sonny Nickleand Tommy Martyn (2003), Tommy Martyn(2004), Academy players (2005 and 2006),Dave McConnell (2007), Dennis Moran(2008), Stuart Donlan (2009 and 2010),Anthony Nicholson and Dean McGilvray(2011), James Taylor, Ryan Brierley, RobParker and Sam Hopkins (2012), MartinAspinwall and Ryan Brierley (2013) andTom Spencer (2014).

For the 2015 season LISA are proudlysponsoring Andrew Dixon.

The more members we have enables usLeigh fans to help make our great club thebest it can be. It’s no coincidence that Leighhave been one of the most successfulteams outside of Super League since LISAwas formed.

LISA LOOK TO INCREASEMEMBERSHIP NUMBERS

With all aspects of the Club, on andoff the pitch, going from strength tostrength there is a temptation forpeople to rest on their laurels. Butthe reality is that a biggermembership will help the Club toreach the next level as it pushestowards realising its ambition of aplace in Super League.

As a committee we are currently indiscussions with the Club to identify waysof adding value to existing and newmembers. It is our goal to drive theorganisation forward as in recent years wehave sadly lost some of our older members.

If you are a supporter and not currently aLISA Member please consider joining, asyour contributions really do make adifference and go directly towards theplaying budget. This means you contributewhere it matters most from a fans'perspective. Remember as LISA membersyou will receive discounts on coaches,entered into draws for upgrade tocorporate for selected matches, enteredinto a draw to travel to selected awaygames by corporate travel, have exclusiveaccess to LISA meetings for free whichalways has at least one player and oneBOM and exclusive access to LISA onlyevents such as sportsman’s dinners etc.

For details of how to join follow thelink http://www.leigh-isa.org.uk

You can also follow LISA on Twitterusing the following link:@Leighsa_Lisa

LISA NEWSFROM LYNDA PIKE COACH TRAVEL

HUNSLET AWAYCoach details for Good Friday, please note it’s a 2 o’clock KO. Prices are £8 LISA members and £9 non membersTickets will be on sale after the game in the bar tonight and thenfrom the market stall Saturday.Leaves LSV at 11.45 Boars Head at 11.50 and Athertonat 12 o’clock.Please could I ask that anyone booking coaches to away gamesbooks as early as possible so we can make sure that we getenough coaches to cover all who wish to use the coaches. Thiswas a request from the coach firm we use, as they struggle toget drivers to work at very short notice..................................................................................................

London away and Blackpool Summer Bash: Lisa will berunning coaches to both - details are as follows:LONDONWe are taking names for this trip. So far there's 20 people on thelist. PRICED AT £27 return. The coach will leave early morning giving supporters time toenjoy a drink or lunch before the game and return straight afterthe game. I need names by the Easter weekend please. We willbe taking a £10 non refundable deposit to book your seat.

Please get in touch with me on 07799885590 if you areinterested, or give me your details in the bar after tonight’sgame, so I have an idea on numbers..................................................................................................

BLACKPOOL SUMMER BASH WEEKENDWe will be running a daytrip to the Sunday fixtures. The coachwill get you there to watch all Sunday’s games or to spend timein Blackpool until our game which kicks-off at 5-15pm. Thecoaches will leave straight after this match.

Priced at £10 FOR ALL due to the hours the drivers haveto work. STILL EXCELLENT VALUE.

Thanks to all who use LISA COACHES.

Membership cards are now at the Market retail unit formembers to collect.

Thanks Lynda

AUTOGRAPHS


LEIGH CENTURIONS 2015

MARTYNRIDYARD

SAMHOPKINS

6 20

THE NEXT FUI FUI MOI MOI?DREW DARBYSHIRE PROFILES A POTENTIAL ATICO’S SPONSOREDPLAYER OF THE FUTURE - ELLIOT LIKU

Who is LeighCenturions’next FuifuiMoimoi-could it beElliot Liku?

I met up with the 5’10”, 104kgforward Elliot Joseph Liku-Downs(AKA Elliot Liku) and he kindly gaveme an insight into his life so far.Liku, one of the hottest prospects in RugbyLeague was born on the 21st April 1996 to anEnglish mother and former Tongainternational and Leigh player, Tau Liku.The 18-year old forward is eligible to play foreither England or Tonga at international level.It was inevitable from an early age that theformer Bedford High School pupil whocaptained his school team, was going tofollow in his father’s footsteps and playprofessional rugby for the Leigh Centurions.But before that many people were tippingLiku to be the ‘next big thing’ in Rugby Unionfor years as he was on the books at AvivaPremiership side Sale Sharks.Although he had been tearing divisions apartfor a few seasons while playing for LeighMiners Rangers, he felt he had fallen off theradar in Rugby League until November 2013,when he received a surprise invitation fromLeigh Centurions asking him to trial the club’sscholarship scheme. Liku returned to Rugby League after a longspell in union and within a year of returning,he was playing for Leigh Centurions Reserves;had been made Reserves Captain; and mostrecently has made a number of first-teamappearances in Warm-Up games.Liku is still in touch with his Tongan heritageand may have a difficult decision to makeabout which country he would represent onthe international stage. However, I am sureCenturions everywhere would support hisdecision.It is hard to believe that this versatile forwardis only 18-years old bearing in mind some ofthe achievements he has on his CV: likerepresenting Lancashire in Rugby Union;winning various divisions in Rugby League;and most of all, receiving the man of thematch award against Oldham Roughyeds atthe Leigh Sports Village.His keen eye for big tackles and hard runningas a prop or loose forward for Leigh Reserveslast season helped the team to be undefeatedfor almost the entire season and win theGrand Final on home soil.

His signing helps to retain the Tonganheritage at the ambitious club, which wasinitially built by his dad, Tau, and Lee Hansenin the 1990s. Hansen’s son, Jack, also playsin the Leigh Reserves and both families havebeen friends for years.Liku sets a good example to his team matesby having an impressive disciplinary recordand it is easy to see why he is so popular withthe younger fans. One critic wrote that hisfootwork appears to give him the ability tosidestep raindrops. It is still early days in the promisingyoungster’s career but with Paul Rowley, NeilJukes, Paul Anderson and Simon Finnigan

coaching him, his pathway to success is likelyto continue. It also looks like his dad Tau will continue tobe a massive influence on his career in local,national and international arenas. Even though he has a massive work-rate onthe field and he loves to bulldoze throughtackles, in his spare time, the Tongan-Leytherlikes nothing more than to indulge in theoccasional Nando’s and to drink thelegendary Vimto – and of course to work it offin the gym afterwards!Without a doubt, he is one for thefuture, remember the name - Elliot Liku.


SET OF SIX

PLAY 1Most important question, how’sFrank?He’s OK. Thanks to Liam and#justiceforfrank we got his ban rescindedfrom the Hilton. I think the landlord, Bob,was getting hate mail after that lastprogramme. But it’s all sorted, Frankdoesn’t hold any grudges. He’s that kind ofdog. The best part of my day is taking Frankfor a walk. Occasionally we stop off at theHilton en route.

PLAY 2How much easier is it going downthe road to training and matchesthat along the M62 as you did formany years to Halifax?It’s a lot easier, that’s for sure and myback’s a lot better without all that driving.But I enjoyed my times playing in Yorkshire.If you get a good Lanky bus going over it’sgood fun. I travelled with Patto (LeePatterson) most of the time and a fewdifferent characters joined us along theway. We’d meet at the Greyhound and if wegot past the Bury turn-off by 5pm we’d befine. We had some great times. I loved it atHalifax, they are a great club.

PLAY 3How’s the hooking role changedduring your career?I think the biggest change is defensively. Iused to hide in the defensive line, often onthe wings or else outside Dave Larder whois an outstanding defender. Over the yearsI’ve worked hard on my defence as yousimply can’t hide any more. Offensively I’vealways liked to run with the ball so that sideof my game hasn’t changed too much.

Defences are a lot tighter these days, thereis a lot more work done on analysis and youhave to be smarter with your attackingplays. The game is much more scientific andless off the cuff. Overall the game haschanged a lot during my time as aprofessional, but it’s still a great game to play.

PLAY 4What’s it’s like to share the hookingrole and the vice captaincy role withBob Beswick?We’re the best of mates and been playingtogether six or seven years now. It’s one ofthem, we’d both like to be on the field allof the time but we realise that our currentroles are what’s best for the team. The waythe captaincy works there should always beone of me, Bob or Oli on the field at anyone time.

PLAY 5Did you ever think you’d be playingin the same pack as internationalslike Fui and Gaz Hock?You have to pinch yourself at times, lookingat the quality we’ve got in the team andthe squad. It’s great training and playingwith guys like that but the main thing isthat they are both good blokes, with no airsor graces and they just fit into the dressingroom as one of the team. We’ve so muchcompetition for places throughout theteam and the forward pack is the best I’veplayed with. It’s great for a hooker who

loves to run as we have great go-forward.

PLAY 6Paul Rowley retired as a player at asimilar age to you are now, how longwill you go on?Paul was a great player and he’s donebrilliantly as a coach. His best years as acoach are still to come. All the othercoaches must be looking at him andaspiring to be like him, as a coach and as aperson. It’s a hard one for me as I work inmy dad’s business and he wants a lesshands-on role. We’ll see how I’m playing atthe end of the year and then I’ll make adecision. It will be a tough decision tomake but a nice one as well. You are a longtime retired. I know whichever I decide my dad will back me.

SEAN PENKYWICZ IS NEXT UP FOR THE CHALLENGE OF COMPLETING A SETOF SIX AFTER JONNY WALKER AND LIAM KAY IN THE FIRST TWOPROGRAMMES OF THE SEASON.

Leigh Centurions’ all-time leadingpoints-scorer John Woods and HeadCoach Paul Rowley havecongratulated Leeds Rhinos’ KevinSinfield for achieving a significantcareer milestone against Hull FCrecently. Sinfield moved above Woods into fourth placein the all-time Rugby League points-scoringcharts with seven tries and a dropgoal inLeeds’ 43-12 victory at the KC Stadium. Woods, who amassed 2,492 of his 3,985career points playing for Leigh and isregarded by many players and supporters asthe finest player to represent the Club, wasquick to pay tribute to Sinfield. “Kevin is an exceptionally talented anddurable player who is still playing to a highlevel of performance week in, week out,”Woods said. “He has had an exceptional career and hecan be rightly proud of his achievements,both personally and as part of the team. “Like me he has borne the responsibility ofbeing goal-kicker throughout his career and ifyou play a long time the points stack upwithout you really noticing. “I never bothered about personal records as Iwas a team player and I can see thosequalities in Kevin. I suspect that though hewill be aware of the milestone it won’t reallysink in, or have any significance until heretires and looks back on his career.

“I hope that day is a long time off as you area long time retired and Kevin still has muchto offer the game and the Leeds club. “I’d like to congratulate him and wish himwell.” Paul Rowley, who played alongside Sinfield inEngland’s 2000 World Cup campaign added:“Kevin Sinfield is a true role model andinspiration to many and I personally havehuge respect for him as a champion playerand person in equal measures. “I believe Kevin was born a leader and hasworked tirelessly with 100percent dedicationin his pursuit of excellence, never faltering orinfluenced to be anything other than the elitesportsman that he is today. “I am pleased that Kevin has surpassed thepoints tally of a hero of mine and everybodyin Leigh, the great John Woods. I am lucky to

have had the good fortune to play alongsideboth of these true super stars of RugbyLeague. On behalf of me and all the Leighteam we congratulate Kevin on a wonderfulachievement proving that hard work reallydoes pay off.” TOP TEN ALL-TIME LEADING SCORERSIN RUGBY LEAGUE (statistics provided bythe Rugby League Record Keepers Club andRFL statistician Dan Spencer) 1 Neil Fox (Wakefield/Bradford/Hull

KR/York/Bramley/Huddersfield, 1956-79)6,220

2 Jim Sullivan (Wigan, 1921-46) 6,0223 Gus Risman (Salford/Workington/Batley,

1929-54) 4,0504 Kevin Sinfield (Leeds, 1997-present)

3,9955 John Woods

(Leigh/Warrington/Bradford/Rochdale,1976-92) 3,985

6 Mick Nanyn(Rochdale/Whitehaven/Widnes/Oldham/Leigh/Swinton,1999-present) 3,700

7 Cyril Kellett (Hull KR/Featherstone,1956-74) 3,686

8 Kel Coslett (St Helens/Rochdale, 1962-79) 3,545

9 Lewis Jones (Leeds, 1952-64) 3,44510 Steve Quinn (York/Featherstone, 1970-

88) 3,438

Sean Penkywicz in the thick of the action

Sean Penkywicz runs at the home defence


FACTS & STATS 2015Season 2015 Career for Leigh

Date of Birth A S T G DG P A S T G DG P Debut Total apps HN NotesActon, Jamie 04/04/1992 2 1 0 0 0 0 6 20 1 0 0 4 2014 26 1389Armstrong, Tom 12/09/1989 5 0 6 0 0 24 42 6 36 0 0 144 2011 48 1340Aspinwall, Martin 21/10/1981 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 11 1 0 0 4 2013 24 1372Barlow, Sam 07/03/1988 3 2 1 0 0 4 27 6 6 0 0 24 2014 33 1387Bate, Anthony 28/04/1992 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 14 3 0 0 12 2013 20 1376 Barrow (loan)Beswick, Bob 08/12/1984 1 4 0 0 0 0 75 21 15 0 1 61 2012 96 1353Brierley, Ryan 12/03/1992 5 0 5 0 0 20 68 26 98 29 3 453 2012 94 1354Briscoe, Craig 08/12/1992 0 0 0 0 0 0 28 24 8 0 0 32 2010 52 1337 Barrow (loan)Bullock, Joe 27/11/1992 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 6 0 0 0 0 2013 7 1382 Barrow (loan)Dixon, Andrew 28/02/1990 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2015 2 1396Emmitt, Jake 04/10/1988 3 2 0 0 0 0 23 27 9 0 0 36 2010 50 1332Foster, Lewis 21/12/1993 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2014 1 1391Goulden, Tommy 30/06/1981 3 0 1 0 0 4 122 13 49 0 0 196 2010 135 1330Haggerty, Kurt 08/01/1989 5 0 2 0 0 8 32 9 12 1 1 51 2009 41 1321Hankinson, Chris 30/11/1993 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 2 2 0 0 8 2014 7 1390 Barrow (loan)Higson, Adam 19/05/1987 1 0 0 0 0 0 71 23 34 0 0 136 2008 94 1310Hock, Gareth 05/09/1983 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Hopkins, Sam 17/02/1990 0 5 0 0 0 0 50 40 31 0 0 124 2011 90 1347Kay, Liam 17/12/1991 5 0 10 0 0 40 35 2 37 0 0 148 2014 37 1388Maden, Steve 13/09/1982 0 0 0 0 0 0 207 3 73 0 0 292 2004 210 1213McNally, Gregg 02/01/1991 5 0 3 0 0 12 97 0 56 20 0 264 2012 97 1350Moimoi, Fuifui 26/09/1979 3 1 0 0 0 0 3 1 0 0 0 0 2015 4 1395Penkywicz, Sean 18/05/1982 4 1 1 0 0 4 32 35 19 0 0 76 2013 67 1370Pitman, Cameron 09/07/1989 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 0 6 0 0 24 2013 16 1383 Barrow (loan)Platt, Michael 23/03/1984 1 0 1 0 0 4 7 0 5 0 0 20 2014 7 1392Pownall, Jonny 22/08/1991 4 0 1 0 0 4 63 1 38 0 0 152 2011 64 1346Reynolds, Ben 15/01/1994 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Ridyard, Martyn 25/07/1986 5 0 1 22 1 49 157 10 66 467 7 1205 2009 167 1314Sarsfield, Matt 10/09/1991 0 0 0 0 0 0 26 1 9 0 0 36 2014 27 1386Spencer, Tom 02/01/1991 0 1 0 0 0 0 45 25 12 0 0 48 2012 70 1357Tracey, Jamie 22/05/1994 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Walker, Jonny 20/02/1991 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 6 1 0 0 4 2014 7 1393Wilkes, Oliver 02/05/1980 3 2 0 0 0 0 54 22 15 0 0 60 2004 76 1217Worthington, Greg 17/07/1990 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 2015 4 1394

TRY TRACKER �MINUTES�For Against

0 – 9 4 210 – 19 4 120 – 29 5 130 – 40 0 340 – 49 4 150 – 59 4 160 – 69 4 270 – 80 7 1Totals 32 12

TRY CREATORSIndividual Pass Kick Other Totals

Gregg McNally 1 8 0 0 9Tom Armstrong 1 3 1 0 5Liam Kay 2 3 0 0 5Martyn Ridyard 0 1 2 0 3Ryan Brierley 1 2 0 0 3Kurt Haggerty 1 1 0 0 2Sean Penkywicz 1 1 0 0 2Johnny Pownall 1 0 0 0 1Sam Barlow 1 0 0 0 1

with thanks to Dave Parkinson

GOAL KICKINGGoals Attempts %

Martyn Ridyard 22 33 67

TOM ARMSTRONG scores against London Broncos

NUMBER OF TRIESFrom own half 9

Inside Opp 20 15

Inside Opp half 8

No.

Mon

thDa

teVe

nOp

pone

nts

KORe

sF

APo

s'n

Att

12

34

56

78

910

1112

1314

1516

17Re

feree

1Feb

15h

Bradford

3pm

W36

243rd

7449

McNally 2T

Higson

Worthington

Armstrong T

Kay T

Ridyard 6G

Brierley T

Acton

Penkywicz T

Wilkes

Haggerty

Goulden

Barlow

Beswick

Hopkins

Moimoi

Emmitt

Cobb

222

aHalifax

3pm

W18

62nd

2868

McNally

Pownall T

Worthington

Armstrong

Kay 2T

Ridyard 3G

Brierley

Moimoi

Penkywicz

Walker

Haggerty

Goulden

Emmitt

Beswick

Wilkes

Barlow

Hopkins

Thom

ason

3Mar

1h

London Broncos

3pm

W25

121st

4531

McNally

Pownall

Worthington

Armstrong 2T

Kay T

Ridyard 2G, DGBrierley T

Moimoi

Beswick

Wilkes

Dixon

Haggerty T

Emmitt

Penkywicz

Walker

Hopkins

Barlow

Stokes

48

aDoncaster

2pm

W54

181st

1602

McNally T

Pownall

Worthington

Armstrong T

Kay 4T

Ridyard T, 7G

Brierley 2T

Emmitt

Penkywicz

Wilkes

Haggerty

Dixon

Barlow T

Beswick

Acton

Hopkins

Spencer

Bloem

515

aFeatherstone Rovers

3pm

W40

61st

2695

McNally

Pownall

Platt T

Armstrong 2T

Kay 2T

Ridyard 4G

Brierley T

Moimoi

Penkywicz

Acton

Haggerty T

Goulden T

Barlow

Beswick

Wilkes

Hopkins

Emmitt

Leatherbarrow

CC4

20h

London Broncos (LCC4)

8pm

629

hWhitehaven

3pm

7Apr

3a

Hunslet

2pm

86

hWorkington Town

1-30pm

912

aSheffield Eagles

4-15pm

CC5

19Ladbrokes C

hallenge C

up 5

TBC

1026

hBatley

3pm

11May

3a

Dewsbury

3pm

1210

hHalifax

3pm

1317

hHunslet

3pm

1424

n1Featherstone Rovers

5-15pm

1531

aWhitehaven

3pm

16Jun

7a

London Broncos

3pm

1714

aBatley

3pm

1821

hSheffield Eagles

3pm

1928

hDewsbury

3pm

20Jul

5a

Workington Town

3pm

2112

hFeatherstone Rovers

3pm

2219

aBradford

3pm

2326

hDoncaster

3pm

Please note that all fixtures are subject to change

After the first 23 rounds the competition will move into the Super 8s format.

The top 4 clubs will join the bottom 4 Super League clubs in The Qualifiers 8

whilst those finishing 5th to 12th will form the Cham

pionship Shield 8.

All Super 8 clubs w

ill play a further 7 matches with the dates and venues of each being

determined by the club’s league position after the first 23 rounds.

Challenge Cup Final - 29 Aug; Kingstone Press Championship £1m

Gam

e & Shield Final - Oct 4

n1Summer Bash at Blackpool FC

5430

Debutants in BOLD

RESULTS & FIXTURES 2015

WWW.LEIGHCENTURIONS.COMTHE CENTURION46

LEIGH CENTURIONSSQUAD - 2015 HEAD COACH: PAUL ROWLEY

ASSISTANT COACH: NEIL JUKES

REFEREE: M WOODHEADTOUCH JUDGES:G JONES, M GRIFFITHSRESERVE: A BENTHAMMATCH COMMISSIONER: A BROWNTIMEKEEPER: F HAWLEY

OFFICIALS

1 Gregg McNally CDA Business Services 1350

2 Adam Higson Impact Insurance 1310

3 Greg Worthington Williams & Co 1394

4 Tom Armstrong Tommy Sale MBE 1340

5 Liam Kay Glazing Systems & Installations Ltd 1388

6 Martyn Ridyard Integrated Control Solutions Ltd 1314

7 Ryan Brierley R-Logistics Services Ltd 1354

8 Fuifui Moimoi Atico’s Hair & Beauty 1395

9 Bob Beswick (Vice-captain) Ask Platt Office Supplies 1353

10 Oliver Wilkes (Captain) Liniar 1217

11 Matthew Sarsfield Toyfields Adventure Play Centre 1386

12 Tommy Goulden CDA Business Services 1330

13 Sam Barlow Corlett Electrical 1387

14 Sean Penkywicz (Vice-captain) Hamilton Fabrications Ltd 1370

15 Jonny Pownall Anthony's Travel 1346

16 Michael Platt Park Leisure (Plas Coch) 1392

17 Ben Reynolds Screwfix -

18 Tom Spencer Bentleys Motor Group Warrington 1357

19 Kurt Haggerty K Darlington & Son 1321

20 Sam Hopkins In Memory of Audrey Dale 1347

21 Jamie Acton Leyther Ladies 1389

22 Andrew Dixon L.I.S.A. 1396

23 Martin Aspinwall Sponsorship available 1372

24 Jonny Walker AB Sundecks Ltd 1393

25 Cameron Pitman Pam Ties Ltd 1383

26 Gareth Hock Sponsorship available -

27

28 Steve Maden Sponsorship available 1213

29 Jake Emmitt Evans Halshaw 1332

NO PLAYER SPONSOR HERITAGE NO

Friday March 20 2015Leigh Sports Village • Kick off 8.00pmLadbrokes Challenge Cup Fourth Round

ce officnial matchdtay magauzine of …match day hosts match ball sponsor leigh centurions players...

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