Featherstone pipped after spirited fightback

Rovers recovered from 22-8 down at half-time to level the scores before they were edged out in a nail-biting finish.

Featherstone made a great start when Ellis went over and Kyran Johnson kicked his second goal to put them 8-0 up but Leigh stormed back.

After Tom Armstrong grabbed a try, Jamie Acton made an immediate impact. Micky Higham put in Acton for a touchdown and Acton’s powerful run created a try for the recalled Rangi Chase.

Featherstone’s injury problems increased when they lost Will Milner (ankle) before Gareth Hock was sin-binned.

But the Centurions stretched their lead to 14 points when Martyn Ridyard hoisted a high kick and Armstrong knocked the ball back for Lee Smith to grab a touchdown.

Leigh were reduced to 11 men when Acton was sin-binned early in the second-half and Featherstone quickly capitalised when Ian Hardman put in Bradley Tagg.

Adam Higson rescued the Centurions with a superb try-saving tackle to foil Liam Blockley before further Rovers pressure saw Thackeray and John Davies combine to send in Misi Taulapapa.

Ridyard kicked a penalty to put Leigh 24-18 ahead but Rovers squared matters when Johnson crossed at the corner and added a touchline conversion.

But Centurions struck with a Liam Kay try and Ridyard kicked another penalty.

Featherstone Rovers: Hardman; Johnson, Tagg, Taulapapa, Blockley; Milner, Thackeray; Griffin, Ellis, Bostock, Cording, Davies, Spears. Subs (used): Cooper, Ormondroyd, Baldwinson. Not used: Macdonald.

Leigh Centurions: Smith; Higson, Whiting, Armstrong, Kay; Ridyard, Chase; Hansen, Higham, Weston, Maitua, Hock, Paterson. Subs (all used): Hood, Hopkins, Emmitt, Acton.

Referee: J Child (RFL).