Wednesday 6 January 2010

Do You Remember these players from Leigh Centurions 2000 Academy?

Simon Warhurst - A GB U-18 Barla and Lancashire representative who possesses fine attacking and defensive awareness. Simon played against the Australian schoolboys last year and has already tasted first team life at Hilton Park with a non-playing substitute spot at Doncaster.

Chris Smith - An incredibly pacey player who scored the academy try of the season at York, using searing speed and body swerve to pass 5 players on a 95 metre run to the line. Chris was originally a stand-off and represented Leigh schools at Wembley in 1994.

Simon Hartley - A centre with strength and pace. Hartley has represented Lancashire at BARLA level and played in an unfamiliar scrum-half role against the touring Australian schoolboys last year. This season Hartley has developed well and but for injury would surely have been amongst the top scorers. Hartley is one of several players who were a part of the alliance teams late season run-in

Neil Donlan - The younger brother of Stuart Donlan has shown good leadership skills this season and is the academy captain. He looks very much like Stuart and has been excellent in defence and impressive with direct running throughout the season.

Darryl Rowlands - An all action winger who never shirks his duties and shows eagerness to get involved.

David Rowlands - Brother of Darryl. David has shared the hooking role this season with Lee Rowley and is a very active player around the ruck.

Ian Hodson - A clever ball-playing stand-off or loose forward who has represented Lancashire at Barla level. Hodson has been a fine influence on the team, picking up a couple of Man-of-the-match awards in the process. Ian has shared the goal-kicking duties this season with Simon Hartley and Lee Sanderson.

Ryan Baker - The youngest member of the academy squad, Leigh had to seek special dispensation from the league to include Ryan. This scrum-half has potential and already displays his grit and determination on a regular basis. Baker is a fine passer of the ball and is a definite one to watch.

Lee Sanderson - Lee is another player with fine potential and represented the town on several occasions before linking up with the Centurions. Small in stature, Sanderson has a big personality on the field and can often be heard barking instructions and offering encouragement to his team-mates. Recently voted young player of the year for the centurions after a series of fine displays for both Alliance and Academy, Lee is sure to get a chance next season.

Gareth Bourhill - A real workhorse in the Leigh pack this season, Bourhill is the Academy teams "Mr Consistent", rarely missing a tackle and often topping the carry count. Gareth looks to have a big future in the game and it will be interesting to watch his development after an impressive debut for the alliance team.

Lee Rowley - "Kipper" as he is affectionately known, is one player who seemingly has Leigh running through his blood. Both his cousin (Paul) and uncle (Alan) played for Leigh and he is following in their footsteps, now making real a childhood ambition. Lee has been a matchday mascot for the Centurions on several occasions down the years and this season, wearing an academy jersey, has produced performances from hooker and second-row that has made teams like St Helens sit up and take notice.

Richard Varkulis - A powerful prop, Varkulis has size, pace and power in his favour and has represented GB and Lancashire, being the only player to score in a 4-0 win over the French earlier in 2000. Richard was courted by a whole host of Super League clubs following a sensational four try performance in April. Leigh beat those clubs to his signature and by the end of the season Varkulis had made two first team appearances from the bench (against Oldham and Lancashire Lynx). He will be looking for more first team action next season and is another one to watch.

Michael Owens - A mobile second-row who is not frightened to try and offload the ball (almost Steve McCurrie style) at every opportunity. Owens possesses a strong running technique and a fierce hand-off and is another of this seasons success stories, scooping several Man-of-the-Match awards.

Robert Bowdler - A promising young forward from Leigh East who could go a long way. He has power and is a sound defender.

Asa Watson - A big mobile forward who is very keen to get involved. Asa has proved a hit with the fans whether playing at prop or in the second row.

James Lomax - Recently snapped up on professional forms, Lomax is another player who made the step up to the alliance squad look considerably easy. The former Crosfield amateur has been in good form and has the size and technique to make an impact.

Alan Kilshaw - A ball playing loose forward who looks a clever player with the ability to throw defence splitting passes of varied length.

John Barrow - Although not the biggest of men playing for the academy, Barrow has shown he has one of the biggest hearts. His support and running play are his greatest attributes while his ability to play anywhere across the backline is much undervalued.

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