Featherstone Rovers 54 Leigh Centurions 16
10:51am Thursday 12th July 2012 in Leigh Centurions
CENTURIONS’ Northern Rail Cup reign is over.
The holders were sent crashing out as Featherstone Rovers booked their first appearance in the Blackpool showpiece finale.
Three tries in six minutes put Featherstone 14-0 ahead by the end of the first quarter and it was an uphill battle for Paul Rowley’s charges from then on.
It became 24-4 by half time, with Kevin Henderson crossing for Leigh, and there was hope when Sam Hopkins cut the gap to 24-10 three minutes into the second half.
But when Sam Smeaton touched down his fourth try in the 50th minute and Tommy Saxton went over five minutes later the game was beyond Leigh’s reach.
Stuart Littler did pull a try back at 36-16 but Rovers bagged three more tries to book their place in the final against Halifax, who defeated Sheffield Eagles 24-22 in the second semi final 24 hours later.
Leigh: Gregg McNally; Steve Maden, Stuart Littler, Matt Gardner, Adam Clay; Martyn Ridyard, Ryan Brierley; Steve Nash, Anthony Nicholson, Tom Spencer, Sam Hopkins, Andy Thornley, Craig Briscoe. Subs: Kevin Henderson, John Duffy, Michael Ostick, Rob Parker.
