LEIGH CENTURIONS 36

BRADFORD BULLS 24

LEIGH Centurions got their Kingstone Press Championship campaign off to the best possible start with a rousing victory over former Super League team Bradford Bulls, recovering from a 20-6 half-time deficit to claim a memorable win.

Super League class and panache was evident in the first 10 minutes as the Bulls took a 12-0 stranglehold.

Adam O'Brien made the most of a quick play the ball to go under the posts. Harry Siejka goaled and was on hand to convert again after Chev Walker crossed between two defenders.

The Centurions rallied with Martyn Ridyard splitting the defence with a kick towards the posts and Ryan Brierley swept through for his first try of the season.

Ridyard goaled before a rash of penalties tipped both sides over the edge.

Jamie Acton was sinbinned after 21 minutes for his part in confrontation and when Leigh looked to get on the outside of the Bulls, a massive melee ensued with Danny Williams and Gregg McNally sin-binned. The all-in fight at the corner was also put on report.

Leigh weathered the storm and looked to hit back with an intricate tap penalty on the left.

Sam Barlow was pole-axed and Siejka was sinbinned.

Tommy Goulden went close and Adam Higson saw a try disallowed for a forward pass but the Bulls claimed their third try when Jake Mullaney dashed between Ridyard and Tom Armstrong.

Six minutes from half-time, Leigh had their third yellow card when Kurt Haggerty was sin-binned for tackling Etu Uaisele in the air and while they were still adjusting, Bradford flicked the ball through six pairs of hands fore Uaisele to dive in at the corner

Only a great tackle by Higson denied Adrian Purtell at the start of the second half but with McNally growing in influence, the Centurions began to claw their way back and the full-back paved the way for Liam Kay to twist his way over on 49 minutes

Minutes later McNally rounded two defenders to go in at the corner, Ridyard's goal from the touchline cutting the deficit to just four points.

Siejka was sinbinned for a second time after 56 minutes after a second bite at Kay as Leigh were trying to bring the ball forward for a twenty metre tap.

Fuifui Moimoi then lifted the Centurions and a typical charge saw him go half the length of the field only to be denied by Mullaney.

Leigh quickly moved left with Sean Penkywicz laying a try on for Tom Armstrong.

Ridyard’s third goal nudged the hosts in front but O’Brien made the most of a Centurions mistake to romp 40 metres. Siejka missed the kickable conversion and Leigh, sensing the game was theirs for the taking, responded with a stunning try

Ridyard fired the ball left with McNally, Armstrong and Kay all involved before McNally went clear for his second try.

The Bulls were penalised for an off-the-ball tackle on Penkywicz, and Ridyard landed his fifth goal to take the Centurions six points clear.

Brierley then saw a drop-goal attempt agonisingly rebound off the post, but there was no stopping Paul Rowley's side.

Higson intercepted to create a 50-metre surge and from the play-the-ball Penkywicz stretched his way over to leave Ridyard a sixth successful

Centurions: Gregg McNally, Adam Higson, Greg Worthington, Tom Armstrong, Liam Kay, Martyn Ridyard, Ryan Brierley, Jamie Acton, Sean Penkywicz, Oliver Wilkes, Kurt Haggerty, Tommy Goulden. Sam Barlow

Subs (all used): Bob Beswick, Sam Hopkins, Fuifui Moimoi, Emmitt.

Tries: Brierley (13), Kay (49), McNally (53 & 72), Armstrong (64), Penkywicz (79).

Goals: Ridyard 6/7.

Sinbinned: Acton (21, fighting), McNally (24, fighting), Haggerty (34, tackling a man in the air).

On report: Team: (Brawl - 24)