Centurions secure second Super League scalp
Leigh have maintained their 100% winning record in the Qualifiers after securing a hard-fought 18-25 victory against Hull KR at the Lightstream Stadium.
The Championship side were trailing 12-6 at the interval but a much-improved second-half performance, including three tries in five minutes saw the Centurions come away with a massive two points in the fight for promotion.
Hull KR suffered a blow before kick off with Albert Kelly missing the match through suspension.
Leigh were guilty of giving away cheap field possession early on, conceding several penalties, the latter of which Josh Mantellato duly obliged to put the first points on the board for the Robins.
Hull KR’s Ken Sio was the man who went over the whitewash first despite a slightly wayward pass from James Greenwood.
Mantellato added his name to the scoresheet, plucking a towering pass from Chris Clarkson out of the sky before dashing across.
The Centurions continued to be masters of their own downfall, conceding another penalty which Mantellato gracefully accepted, giving his team a 12-0 lead.
A break for the Championship side came when Sam Hopkins somehow managed to bundle his way over despite being impeded by three Hull KR players with 15 minutes of the first half remaining.
Eight minutes into the second half and Leigh were back on level terms courtesy of Andrew Dixon’s four-pointer which was subsequently converted by Martyn Ridyard.
The Centurions continued their good start to the second half, Matty Dawson capitalizing on Ben Cockayne’s inability to deal with Josh Drinkwater’s high bomb and diving over.
Leigh continued to turn the screw, Drinkwater touching down underneath the posts after Cory Paterson’s darting run.
The final quarter was set up for a dramatic finish after Matthew Marsh crashed over before Mantellato kicked the extras to bring the Robins back to within four points.
A Ridyard penalty ensured the Centurions maintained a one-score cushion entering into the final stages of the match.
Ridyard sealed victory for his side with a drop goal in the final two minutes.