Giant-killers eye Leigh scalp

Experienced giant-killers Wath Brow Hornets are under no illusions about the challenge they face on Sunday when they come head-to-head with Co-operative Championship side Leigh Centurions in the Carnegie Challenge Third Round.

The National Conference Premier Division side claimed the scalp of Co-operative Championship One team London Skolars at this stage last season and their head coach Ian Rooney is looking forward to pitting his wits against a team coached by Cup winner Ian Millward.

Ian Rooney, Wath Brow head coach, said: “It’s obviously a massive game for us and has generated a huge deal of interest in the club.

“I’m delighted the crop of young lads will get the opportunity to be on the same field as the likes of Robbie Paul. For our young players this will be a great experience.

“We’re under no illusions about the task ahead, Leigh are a club steeped in history with some fantastic players and they have been great to deal with since we were drawn against them.

The Cumbrian outfit are no strangers to giant-killings having also turned over Dewsbury Rams and Workington Town in the Cup in recent years.

However, Rooney knows that the Hornets who have previously been drawn against professional teams such as Huddersfield Giants and London Broncos in this competition will have to be at their very best to contain Leigh this weekend.

Ian Rooney said: “We’re hoping to give a decent account of ourselves against Leigh and we’ll have to be at our very best to contain a very potent Centurions side.

“We’re a close knit community and Rugby League is at the very centre of it so we’ll have a few hundred supporters on coaches heading down to Leigh.”

Season ticket holders at Co-operative Championship and Co-operative Championship One clubs can enjoy free entry to their team’s Carnegie Challenge Cup Third Round tie this weekend.