Leigh 8 Featherstone 23: Finn leads Rovers to victory at Centurions

Not for the first time in his Featherstone career, Liam Finn proved the difference as Rovers emerged from a tough game at Leigh Sports Village with a 15-point winning margin.

The Irish scrum-half was at his controlling best as Rovers wrestled the game away from Leigh in the second half and he crossed for an important try to put real daylight between the teams, also booting three goals and a drop goal on the final hooter for an 11-point tally.

Leigh edged in front after 27 minutes when Ryan Duffy hulked his way over the line for Gregg McNally to goal only for Rovers to level the score on the stroke of half-time when Andy Bostock smuggled the ball out and Lamont Bryan touched down at the side of the posts.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Despite McNally hitting a penalty, Rovers started the second half more composed and took the lead after 47 minutes when a Finn kick right just caught Johnny Pownall an inch out of place and Frankie Mariano grounded.

Finn then claimed the important try after 57 minutes and solid defence then quelled a Leigh revival before ex-Dewsbury forward Steve Crossley bowled his way over.

With the win all but confirmed, Rovers struck once more as the hooter sounded when Finn dropped a goal from 20 metres out.

Leigh Centurions: Pownall, Maden, Littler, Hughes, Gardner; McNally, Nicholson; Spencer, Beswick, Briscoe, Finnigan, Thornley, Hopkins. Substitutes: Penkywicz, Goulden, Crosby, Duffy.

Featherstone Rovers: Hardman, Sharp, Mariano, Worthington, Saxton; Bussey, Finn; Crossley, Kaye, England, Lockwood, Spears, Dale. Substitutes: Ellis, Bryan, James, Bostock.

Referee: G Stokes (RFL).