Clinch match for Leigh Centurions
6:39pm Thursday 16th August 2012 in Leigh Centurions By David Parkinson
LEIGH Centurions face Halifax tomorrow, Friday, in their most important game of the season.
Should Paul Rowley’s side win, they put themselves in a great position to finish second in the Championship.
“Our next game is always the biggest,” Rowley said.
“But in terms of importance and the outcome of this result, it will have a strong bearing on a second placed finish for either team.
“This match has got the makings of an absolute classic. Halifax are in red-hot form from their cup win but we’ve played Halifax three times in 2012 and we’ve got three wins so we are fully confident.”
Leigh head into the game in some form themselves, having won their last four games including Thursday’s 26-0 win at Keighley that featured braces of tries from Greg McNally and Jonny Pownall.
“We’ve come off the back of a solid performance,” said Rowley.
“Both sides have every reason to be confident. Both sides have proven over the year that they can score some very classy tries and play some attractive rugby so it’s evenly matched really.”
The game is also significant for skipper John Duffy. It is the scrum half’s 200th appearance for the club and he becomes only the 57th player in Leigh's history to reach that figure.
Rowley added: “It’s a good milestone and a big day for him. It all adds a little bit more to the emotion already involved with the game.
“His kids are going to be mascots but he’ll be focused and switched-on. Everyone at the club is delighted for him and really pleased for him to reach such a milestone.
“It’s 200 games and 200 quality games.”
Leigh look set to be without Ryan Brierley as Castleford have requested his availability to play at St Helens and make his Super League debut.
Michael Ostick has agreed a further year extension to the new deal he signed a few weeks ago.
It now means that the former Halifax and Widnes prop forward remains at Leigh until the end of the 2014 campaign.
Centurions are clearing the decks ready for the arrival of their 2013 stock by offering savings on this year’s merchandise range.
Home and away replica shirts along with polo shirts and jackets are available at discount prices at Friday night’s game.
Merchandise will be available near the main reception at Leigh Sports Village for the remaining matches and also six days a week at Jitterbugz on Railway Road, Leigh.
