#swinton lions

[allthepiesblog-blog]

Cautious confidence

It was a really pleasing result today in the cup, with a fairly patched up side. We lost George Williams prior to the game with a migraine, so were without a single recognised half back. So to get eight tries and restrict Swinton to two, is a decent effort.

I was really disappointed after the Castleford game. A poor performance there, plus more injuries, meant that going into the Salford game last weekend, I wasn’t expecting much from us at all. I certainly wasn’t expecting a win. So, for the young team to show some guts in that second half, and claw their way back into the game, was pleasing.

Nevertheless, that still didn’t give me a huge amount of confidence going into today’s game, despite the opposition being a league lower and only part time. But we got ahead quite early, and from listening to the quintessential Joe Mills on t'radio, the result never sounded in doubt.

Next up in the league (and coincidentally in the cup also) are Warrington. And its the Magic Weekend - a great concept which has really sparked the imagination of the fans, to the point where it is now a mainstay of the season, and quickly turning into as much of a rugby league tradition as the Wembley Cup Final or Old Trafford Grand Final. (Although I personally hope it comes back to Manchester sometime sooner rather than later.)

Thankfully Wigan seem to do quite well at the Magic Weekend (W7 D1 L2). That’s probably due, at least in part, to us being paired up against some of our fiercest rivals, and we raise our game accordingly. Over the years, it’s brought us Wigan fans some genuinely iconic moments. My personal favourite was the 2012 game against Saints. We won 42-16. The game had everything - some great tries, including the famous “look at this; look at this from Tomkins” try, as well as a bit of biff that saw Hock, Tuson and Magennis all sent off.

Anyway, back to this year, and I believe George Williams and Sean O'Loughlin are expected back next weekend, with Tommy Leuluai also having an outside chance of making the game. So the improvement in our game (even with players missing), our record at the Magic Weekend, and the promise of key players returning prompts my confidence to slowly, but cautiously resurface.

[leighupdates-blog]

Next Up: Swinton Lions v Leigh Centurions

Next for the Centurions is their 'away' trip against the Swinton Lions at the Leigh Sports Village. We can confirm we will have coverage of this game for you. The match kicks off at the early time of 12.00 and we will look to start our coverage from 11.30am. If you can't get yourself and the family down to the LSV this Good Friday, join us right here on LeighUpdates as we keep you up to date on the match.

[daveparkinson]

Leigh v Swinton Friendly Report - played 25/01/2013 - League Weekly

LEIGH CENTURIONS 16 SWINTON LIONS 6 Dave Parkinson at Leigh Sports Village. Despite being played in a snow shower that increased in intensity as the game wore on, both sides put the finishing touches on preparation before the Championship season begins in earnest next week. Referee Warren Turley abandoned the game with seven minutes to play but by that time, the Centurions had scored three tries to one to take a ten point lead. It proved a costly night for the Centurions, already missing the services of Matt Gardner. Over the eighty minutes they lost Tommy Goulden, Simon Finnigan, Thomas Coyle and Rob Parker with Rowley ruling the first three out of Leigh’s Championship opener. Swinton will also have to check the fitness of new signing Andy Ballard who also limped from the field. The conditions put paid to any free flowing rugby but the game was noteable for an early glimpse at some of the new RFL rules and interpretations in action with fullbacks running the ball to the twenty metre line for quick tap restarts and a number of 'freeplays.' The Lions caught Leigh cold with the first linebreak break after four minutes. Ian Watson linked with Darren Hawkyard who in turn found the impressive Ryan Shaw. Bursting down the right, the Warrington centre chipped ahead only to see Leigh win the race and clear the danger. The Lions then took advantage of the first official 'freeplay' when Leigh knocked on and Josh Barlow collected and made ten metres. That set the position where the dangerous Shaw escaped the clutches of three defenders with Gregg McNally and Johnathan Pownall preventing a score. Sam Hopkins led the line for the Centurions and was outstanding throughout alongside the other prop forwards in the Leigh side. Simon Finnigan was twice denied, as was Martin Aspinwall before Leigh thought they had opened scoring after 18 minutes. Hopkins split the line but the final pass from Sean Penkywicz was ruled forward. As pressure mounted, the visitors defence cracked. Martyn Ridyard dabbed to the line and Gene Ormsby fumbled for McNally to swoop in a flash. Ridyard’s boot made it 6-0. Leigh were now in ascendancy and struck again after 37 minutes when Penkywicz fed Andy Thornley and his telescopic reach handed the Centurions a 10-0 advantage. Ground staff cleared the lines at half-time, allowing the game to get back underway and Leigh again dominated the opening stages. Aspinwall was again held out early on and Ryan Brierley was then stopped short of the line after 56 minutes. Against the run of play, Birkett then latched onto a Penkywicz pass and blazed down the touchline only for Brierley to cap a thrilling 80 metre chase with a tackle that forced an error from the former Warrington man. That seemed to inspire Swinton and following a concerted spell of pressure, Morrison charged through from close range after 67 minutes. Shaw converted and it was 10-6. As conditions deteriorated, Birkett spilled the ball on his own line and from the scrum Thornley turned try provider with Brierley sliding over for Ridyard to convert and bring up the final score. LEIGH: 1    Gregg McNally 7 2    Steve Maden 7 3    Stuart Littler 7 23  Chris Rowe 6 5     Johnathan Pownall 7 6     Martyn Ridyard 7 17  Thomas Coyle 6 8    Sam Hopkins 9 9    Bob Beswick 8 10 Rob Parker 8 11 Simon Finnigan 7 12 Tommy Goulden 6 13 Martin Aspinwall 7 Subs (All Used) 7    Ryan Brierley 7 14  Sean Penkywicz 7 15  Andy Thornley 8 19  Michael Ostick 7 34  Tom Spencer 8 Tries: McNally 28, Thornley 37, Brierley 73. Goals: Ridyard 2/3 SWINTON 1    Ritchie Hawkyard 7 2    Andy Ballard 7 3    James Saltonstall 6 4    Ryan Shaw 8 5    Dan Birkett 7 6    Martin Ainscough 6 7    Ian Watson 7 8    Neil Holland 6 9    Mark Smith 6 10  Jack Morrison 8 11  Danny Bridge 7 12  Darren Hawkyard 7 13  Josh Barlow 7 Subs (All Used) 20  Liam Hulme 7 23  Brad Dwyer 7 15  David Mills 7 22  Gavin Bennion 7 16  Sam Reay 6 14  Kash Watkins 7 17  James Mendieka 6 18  Gene Ormsby 6 19  Jordan Burke 6 21  Glen Riley 7 Try: Morrison 67. Goal: Shaw 1/1. HT: 10-0 / Pens: 6-3 / Sin-bin: None / Sent-off: None / MOM: Sam Hopkins (Leigh ) / Attendance: 801 / Weather: Heavy Snow / Referee: Warren Turley  80/100.

[daveparkinson]

Leigh v Swinton Friendly Report - played 25/01/2013 - League Express

LEIGH CENTURIONS 16 SWINTON LIONS 6 Dave Parkinson, Leigh Sports Village, Friday. In a game where the weather won in the end, both teams completed their preparation for the new Championship season.  A snow affected game was abandoned seven minutes from time but there were major positives on both sides with Swinton looking a much improved team boosted by their partnership with Warrington Wolves and the Centurions defence again turning up to hold their visitors to just one try. The conditions put paid to a free flowing game but the tenacity of all the players was there for all to admire and everyone got to see some of the new RFL rules and interpretations in action with fullbacks running the ball to the twenty metre line for quick tap restarts and a number of 'freeplays.' The Lions caught Leigh cold with the first linebreak break after four minutes. Ian Watson linked with Darren Hawkyard who in turn found Ryan Shaw. Bursting down the right, the Warrington centre chipped ahead only to see Leigh win the race and clear the danger. The Lions then took advantage of the first official 'freeplay' when Leigh knocked on and Josh Barlow collected and made ten metres. That set the position where the dangerous Shaw escaped the clutches of three defenders with Gregg McNally and Johnathan Pownall preventing a score. Andy Ballard then dabbed the ball forward only to see Sam Hopkins collect the ball. Hopkins was outstanding throughout alongside the other prop forwards in the Leigh side. Good defence from the Lions twice denied Simon Finnigan and then held Martin Aspinwall. The Centurions found a way through the defence after 18 minutes when Hopkins split the line but the final pass from Sean Penkywicz was ruled forward. Mark Smith then pinned the Centurions deep in their own half with a lengthy kick that saw McNally just prevent a 40/20. Eventually, the visitors defence cracked, Martyn Ridyard grubbered to the line, Gene Ormsby fumbled, and McNally pounced for Ridyard to goal and hand the Centurions a 6-0 advantage. Leigh struck again after 37 minutes when Penkywicz ducked right and fed the ball for Andy Thornley to reach out and make it 10-0. Ground staff cleared the lines at half-time, allowing the game to get back underway and Leigh dominated the opening stages. Great goal-line defence again held Aspinwall at bay and Swinton hung in before a 30 metre run from dummy half by Brad Dwyer relieved pressure. Leigh went right back on attack and Ryan Brierley was stopped short of the line. The next play saw Dan Birkett intercept a Penkywicz pass and he looked set for a spectacular try only for a thrilling chase from Brierley to not only overhaul, but force a handling error from the former Warrington man. That seemed to inspire Swinton. A concerted spell of pressure eventually saw Morrison score from close range after 67 minutes. Shaw converted and it was 10-6. Six minutes later a Swinton error near their own line saw Leigh attack and Thornley turned try provider to send Brierley sliding over for Ridyard to convert. At that point, referee Warren Turley took the sensible decision to blow up early. Centurions Head Coach Paul Rowley was left counting the cost afterwards, revealing that Thomas Coyle, Simon Finnigan and Tommy Goulden will all miss the start of the season while Swinton will have to keep close tabs on Andy Ballard. GAMESTAR: Every player deserves credit for their performance on a snowbound night but Sam Hopkins was the pick of the lot with a towering performance in the Leigh engine room. GAMEBREAKER: Ryan Brierleys try gave Leigh room to breathe easier and restored their ten point advantage. LEIGH: 1    Gregg McNally 2    Steve Maden 3    Stuart Littler 23  Chris Rowe 5     Johnathan Pownall 6     Martyn Ridyard 17  Thomas Coyle 8    Sam Hopkins 9    Bob Beswick 10 Rob Parker 11 Simon Finnigan 12 Tommy Goulden 13 Martin Aspinwall Subs (All Used) 7    Ryan Brierley 14  Sean Penkywicz 15  Andy Thornley 19  Michael Ostick 34  Tom Spencer Tries: McNally (28), Thornley (37), Brierley (73). Goals: Ridyard 2/3   SWINTON 1    Ritchie Hawkyard 2    Andy Ballard 3    James Saltonstall 4    Ryan Shaw 5    Dan Birkett 6    Martin Ainscough 7    Ian Watson 8    Neil Holland 9    Mark Smith 10  Jack Morrison 11  Danny Bridge 12  Darren Hawkyard 13  Josh Barlow Subs (All Used) 20  Liam Hulme 23  Brad Dwyer 15  David Mills 22  Gavin Bennion 16  Sam Reay 14  Kash Watkins 17  James Mendieka 18  Gene Ormsby 19  Jordan Burke 21  Glen Riley Try: Morrison (67) Goal: Shaw 1/1.   Attendance: 801 Referee: Warren Turley Penalties: 6-3 Half-time: 10-0 Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match: Leigh: Sam Hopkins, Swinton: Ryan Shaw. Scoring Sequence: 6-0, 10-0; 10-6, 16-6.

[daveparkinson]

Highlights of Leigh Centurions pre-season game with Swinton. Me on comms..

[leighupdates-blog]

Leigh Centurions 16 - Swinton Lions 6

Leigh emerged triumphant from their second friendly hit out of the season, beating local's Swinton Lions in a game played under heavy snow at the Leigh Sports Village.  The game was eventually called off at 73 minutes with the conditions worsening and was probably a fair decision given the friendly status of the game.

Tries from McNally, Brierley and Thornley proved to be enough to see the Centurions through on a night filled with knock ons and scrums.  It was a real throw back to the days of winter rugby and I'm sure the players will just be glad to have got through the game, and credit to them.

Leigh's next game now will see them head to Featherstone Rovers for a very interesting and tasty prospect for the start of the Co-Operative Championship Season.

[leighupdates-blog]

Leigh Confirm Friendly with Swinton

Leigh have now confirmed the friendly fixture with Swinton Lions, which LeighUpdates had news of a week in advance, on the 25th January 2013 with a kick off time of 7.30pm.  

The full confirmation can be found below:

http://www.leighcenturions.com/news/112

[leighupdates-blog]

Leigh Set To Announce Third Friendly

           Leigh are set to announce a third friendly to add to their pre season preparations for the forthcoming Co-Operative Championship season.  A home tie against local rivals Swinton Lions, who also took up residence at the LSV last season, provides opposition at a similar level to Leigh after two clashes with Super League teams either side of New Year.

Leigh's friendly line up currently stands at (all to be played at Leigh Sports Village):

30th December 2012: Leigh Centurions v Salford City Reds (3.00pm)

6th January 2013: Leigh Centurions v Wigan Warriors (3.00pm)

25th January 2013: Leigh Centurions v Swinton Lions (7.30pm)