Leigh Centurions' friendly against Halifax stokes sibling rivalry
11:35am Thursday 19th January 2012 in Leigh Centurions By Mike Parsons
Michael Worrincy signs his contract with Leigh Centurions
A WORRINCY brothers battle could be at the heart of Leigh Centurions’ first home pre-season friendly of 2012.
Leigh signed former Harlequins and Bradford Bulls back rower Michael Worrincy at the weekend and his first game is set to be against a Halifax squad that includes his older brother Robert.
Halifax visit Leigh Sports Village for a repeat of the 2011 Northern Rail Cup Final on Sunday, kick off 3pm, on the back of a 46-16 defeat to Super League side Salford City Reds, whom Leigh defeated 36-12 one week earlier.
With ex-players of each club in the two sets of ranks, the match should be an excellent step-up in preparations for the season’s start with the Northern Rail Cup next month.
The surprise addition of experienced Super League hand Worrincy to Leigh’s ranks is further indication that Leigh have come a long way since financial difficulties threatened their existence only a few months ago.
He spent 2011 on contract with Penrith Panthers in Australia, playing most of the season in the New South Wales semi professional competiton for Windsor Wolves.
Chief Executive Trevor Barton said: “Our chairman Keith Freer continues to look at the budget and wring every penny out of it.
“The quality of the product on the field is vital in hopefully building the number of supporters and this is yet another exciting signing that shows that Leigh Centurions continue to be active in the player market and will make every effort to improve the squad and our competitiveness.”
Acting head coach Paul Rowley added: "He’s a brilliant capture. Like others in our squad, he's a quality and exciting player.
“Michael's agent contacted us two or three weeks ago. He mentioned that Michael had come back from Penrith.
“Straightaway we thought that he’s a good player that could fit in and run a good line on an edge for us.”
Worrincy’s capture is tempered somewhat by the news that Chris Gerrard will not be taking the field for Leigh this year.
The club have agreed to release Gerrard from the deal he signed in November.
Initially the former Wigan and Widnes player impressed the coaching staff with his workrate and attitude but a change in personal circumstances means he is now unable to fulfill the terms of his contract.
Leigh’s third and final pre-season clash will be against Wigan at the LSV on Friday, January 27, kick off 7.30pm.
Wigan are planning to field a strong side for what will also be their final warm-up game prior to the following weekend’s start of Super League XVII.
Shaun Wane’s squad will consist of 20 members of their first-team squad along with a small number of their successful under 20’s side, last season’s Super League reserve grade champions after clinching the 2011 Valvoline Cup with a 24-16 victory over Warrington Wolves U20’s at the LSV last October.
Ticket prices for both games are £12 for adults, £8 for over 60s and students and £4 for under 16s. Tickets are on sale now from the Leigh Sports Village, at leighsportsvillage.co.uk and from 487888.
