Leigh Centurions 42

Norland 6 IAN Millward feared for the safety of his players as the Centurions eventually negotiated a spiteful Silk Cut Challenge Cup third round tie against Humberside amateurs Norland. The Hilton Park coach took a swipe at Norland's over-aggressive tactics and the weakness of referee Nick Oddy as he complained: "How can you attract youngsters to play the game when that sort of thing is allowed to go on?"

Although Mr Oddy did eventually dismiss three players his leniency, especially in the first half, ruined any chance of an open game.

Norland's spoiling, and at times illegal, tactics were disgraceful. Dismissible high shots on Tau Liku and Stuart Donlan early on were punished with nothing more than penalties and the match-long baiting of Tim Street rattled Leigh to the point of losing self-control.

It's no wonder Leigh were hardly on top of their game when their number one priority was self-preservation.

Afterwards Millward admitted he was just glad to get the game out of the way. "What sort of advertisement for the game was that? I've never seen anything like it.

"All I'm feeling at the moment is a sense of relief that none of my players were seriously hurt.

"I can control what my players do. But I can't control the other side or the match officials and unless we as a Rugby League organisation are prepared to help each other and give coaches and referees feedback, we're not going to advance.

"I've never seen a game in which I was coaching with so many penalties. I think we should be ringing the Guinness Book of Records to see if we achieved another milestone." Mr Oddy did produce three reds, two yellows and placed two scraps on report . . . but some strong refereeing early on might have prevented the mayhem that followed. Off went Norland prop Matt Kingdom in first half stoppage time for a wicked high shot on Street after Norland skipper Jimmy Western and Dave Whittle had been sin-binned at the end of another skirmish.

Leigh generally kept their discipline in check but centre Alan Hadcroft blew his top when he retaliated to a high tackle from Gavin Last in the 50th minute. Hadcroft was sent off for the first time in his career and Last went with him as Norland were reduced to 11.

But between the brawls Leigh played some good stuff.

James Arkwright repaid his coach's faith by collecting a neat winger's hat-trick, the first coming inside two minutes. But we had to wait for the expected avalanche of points with Leigh's only other first half try coming from Tau Liku as they took a 12-2 interval lead.

The second half was a procession as Street and Whittle ripped Norland to bits up the middle and Heath Cruickshank started to cause damage on the fringes. Saf Patel and Arkwright both touched down in the first four minutes and then Street, Arkwright and Cruickshank all scored in quick succession.

Craig Dean landed his fifth goal before David Ingram rounded off a seven-man move with the eighth Leigh try.

Norland's only moment to savour came in the dying minute when sub Rob Hutchinson went over from 20 metres. Leigh: Donlan; Arkwright, Hadcroft, Purtill, Ingram; Patel, Dean; Street, Murray, Whittle, Cruickshank, Liku, Fairclough. Subs (all played): Costello, Jenkins, Bowker, Kendrick. Attendance: 1,131.

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