It was certainly an improvement on last weekend for the Centurions as they won against a Wigan team that could only boast Shaun Ainscough of any first team pedigree, a selection dubbed "disappointing for the fan's that bought tickets before the game." by Leigh boss Ian Millward.
In spite of this, the will to win was there from Leigh and the game as a spectacle was compelling.
"It was nice and tight and both sides used a lot of energy." Millward continued. "We've moved forward from last week with regards to some of our execution but there is still a long way to go, but every session and everything we are doing at the moment is moving forward. That is very pleasing, as is the players attitude. Our tries were all good value and there were a lot of positives out of it."
A solid defence and two tries from former Warriors youth product Nick Stanton were the main reasons that Leigh won, however this was an interesting game that provided rich entertainment for the crowd despite the Warriors decision to name just a couple of first team squad members ahead of the testimonial game for Paul Wood at Warrington on Wednesday.
Wigan began the game positively when despite pressure on a good kick by Tim Hartley, Josh Charnley scooped up and split the defence to go 60 metres.
Ian Mort slowed the winger down just enough before Stanton chased back to complete the tackle.
More committed defence from both sides forced errors and it took until the 13th minute for the scoreboard to be troubled.
After putting down a couple of earlier chances and seeing Steve Maden held on the line, Leigh finally made one count when Hartley put the ball left and Mort sent Stanton diving under Chris Tuson for the try line. Mick Nanyn converted and the Centurions looked solid with Chris Hill and Dave McConnell a real influence in the middle of the field.
Wigan themselves had their moments with their industrious front row of Ben Davies, Sam Gee and Neil Holland well to the fore, while Liam Farrell and Tuson also looked in good form.
A second try came for Leigh on 26 minutes when swift play from the base of a scrum saw John Duffy, Hartley and Robbie Paul all involved before the former Kiwi international put a great pass out to Maden and he crashed over on the far right. Nanyn's conversion hit the posts but Leigh held a ten point advantage.
Wigan then got moving with two classy tries in three minutes around the half hour mark. The first came when Stefan Marsh finished a good long pass from Logan Tomkins and then Shaun Ainscough scorer of 17 tries in Super League last year, showed he'd lost none of the scoring nouse when he dashed in by the flag after a long run by prop Davies.
The sides were level at the break and a disallowed Leigh try for Dave Alstead was the only talking point of a scoreless third quarter. The centre appeared to touch down but referee Phil Bentham suggested he was held up by Josh Veivers. The Centurions then butchered chances from Nanyn and Tommy Goulden before Maden twice saw his luck run out thanks to some superb cover defence and good fortune when the bounce of a Paul kick-through went over the touchline.
After 68 minutes Paul saw a drop goal attempt charged down. Within two minutes, Wigan's youngsters had taken the lead for the first time when Stuart Howarth chipped over the defence and Liam Farrell followed up. His wayward pass was gathered by Marsh and Chris Tuson was on his shoulder to storm to the line.
Veivers hit the posts with his conversion attempt before Leigh claimed the winner five minutes from the end when Dave McConnell put a wide, accurate ball for Stanton to score and Nanyn converted.
Wigan had the chance to level the game in the last minute but Veivers pulled a penalty wide leaving Leigh victorious in a game against their local rivals for the first time since 1994.
"That was the first chance I've had to see those young blokes play." New Wigan boss Michael Maguire said. "That was a similar sort of side to the one we'd have sent to St Helens."
GAMEBREAKER: The final hooter, up until that point either side could have claimed victory.
GAMESTAR: Chris Hill. Immense in the Centurions midfield.
CENTURIONS
20 Ian Mort
3 Dave Alstead
2 Steve Maden
4 Mick Nanyn
5 Nick Stanton
6 Tim Hartley
7 Robbie Paul
8 Chris Hill
15 Dave McConnell
16 Mike Morrison
12 MacGraff Leuluai
14 Tommy Goulden
13 David Armitstead
SUBS (ALL USED)
11 James Taylor
18 Adam Higson
22 Martyn Ridyard
24 Andy Ainscough
23 Dale Cunniffe
9 John Duffy
Tries: Stanton (13, 75), Maden (26).
Goals: Nanyn 2/3.
Field goal:
On Report: (TIME) – offence
Sin bin: (TIME) – offence
Dismissal: (TIME) – offence
WARRIORS
1 Josh Veivers
2 Josh Charnley
3 Stefan Marsh
4 Ian Thornley
5 Shaun Ainscough
6 Stuart Howarth
7 Sam Powell
8 Ben Davies
9 Sam Gee
10 Neil Holland
11 Jon Walker
12 Liam Farrell
13 Chris Tuson
SUBS (ALL USED)
14 Jack Hughes
15 Matthew Sarsfield
16 Logan Tomkins
17 Greg Burke
18 Jonny Molloy
2 Jack Murphy
Tries: Marsh (30), Ainscough (33), Tuson (70).
Goals: Veivers 2/4.
On Report: (TIME) – offence
Sin bin: (TIME) – offence
Dismissal: (TIME) – offence
Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
CENTURIONS: Chris Hill
WARRIORS: Ben Davies
Penalty count: 3-7
Half-time: 10-10
Referee: Phil Bentham
Attendance: 3,540
SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 10-0, 10-6, 10-10; 10-14, 16-14.
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