Challenge Cup Preview: Warrington v Leigh

Correspondent

Warrington head into this game looking for some form, after a pretty abject performance in defeat at Hull KR last week.

They are boosted by the return of Richie Myler, Gareth O’Brien and Ben Currie from injury. Toby King is absent, however.

Chris Hill joined Wire from Leigh in 2012.

Leigh hooker Mickey Higham is not allowed to play against the Wolves as part of the deal which saw him move from Warrington to the Centurions earlier this season.

The Centurions are full of confidence, and have already knocked Super Leaue sides Wakefield and Salford out of the Challenge Cup this season.

Warrington (19-man squad): Asotasi, Atkins, Bridge, Clark, Currie, Dwyer, England, Harrison, Hill, G King, Laithwaite, Monaghan, Myler, O’Brien, Ormsby, Penny, Philbin, Ratchford, Sims, Westwood.

Leigh (19-man squad): McNally, Higson, Worthington, Armstrong, Kay, Ridyard, Brierley, Moimoi, Beswick, Wilkes, Sarsfield, Goulden, Pownall, Spencer, Hopkins, Dixon, Hock, Emmitt, Pala.

Stats:

Leigh’s last win against Warrington was a 28-5 Stones Bitter Championship victory at Hilton Park on 4 April, 1988. Warrington are undefeated in 11 meetings with Leigh since, having won 10 and drawn one.

Warrington prop Chris Hill played in the last Challenge Cup meeting between the sides – as a Leigh substitute in his previous club’s 28-16 home defeat to the Wolves.

Warrington have a trio of players still at the club from that 2008 clash – Kevin Penny (now in his second spell), Ben Westwood and Ben Harrison. Penny scored a 58th minute try in the game. Warrington have not lost a home Challenge Cup fixture with Leigh since 1921.

Last meeting:

Leigh 16, Warrington 28 (CCR4, 20/4/08)

Previous Challenge Cup meetings:

2008 (Round 4) Leigh 16 Warrington 28
2001 (Round 5) Warrington 20 Leigh 10
1982 (Round 1) Leigh 28 Warrington 17
1968 (Round 1) Leigh 11 Warrington 5
1959 (Round 2) Leigh 13 Warrington 3
1948 (Round 2) Warrington 8 Leigh 2
1933 (Round 1) Warrington 34 Leigh 3
1930 (Round 2) Warrington 12 Leigh 3
1921 (Round 2) Leigh 10 Warrington 10
1921 (Round 2, Replay) Warrington 3 Leigh 8

Championship Leigh Centurions