Sheffield pay late penalty in defeat

The kicks decided a game in which the lead had constantly changed and both teams showed their attacking flair but not how to defend.

Leigh took an early lead with tries from loose forward James Taylor and winger Jonathan Pownall with Martyn Ridyard adding the goals.

Eagles came back with Simon Brown’s pass sending second-rower Michael Knowes over and kept up the pressure with winger Nev Morrison racing in.

Brown kicked the goal before following up with a 40-20 kick which led to Knowles scoring his second try to put the Eagles into the lead.

The advantage was brief as tries from Ryan Brierley and James Laithwaite with Ridyard’s goals made it 24-14 to Leigh at half-time.

After the restart the Eagles hit back with tries from winger Vinny Finigan and centre Misi Taulapapa with Brown kicking the goals. Again the lead disappeared as Sam Hopkins went in for Leigh.

Eagles went two points ahead with a burst of magic as full back Quentin Laulu-Togagae weaved his way past five tacklers. Brown added the goal.

On 68 minutes Leigh were awarded a penalty with Ridyard slotting over from 25 metres to level the scores. The Centurions went ahead three minutes later with a controversial penalty for ball stealing and Ridyard kicked his seventh goal.

There was still time for the Eagles to come back but their response was hampered by errors and Leigh held on.