Kingstone Press Championship: Leigh beat Featherstone in Grand Final
Last Updated: 06/10/14 4:53pm
Leigh Centurions cruised to a 36-12 victory over Featherstone Rovers in the Kingstone Press Championship Grand Final at Headingley.
The Centurions had already beaten their nearest rivals three times this year and finished 15 points clear of them in the table and on Sunday gave a further indication of their Super League potential.
Leigh took a comfortable lead and although Rovers rallied in the second half, Ryan Brierley scored his 43rd try of a remarkable season to provide a fitting finish for the victors.
There will be no promotion for Paul Rowley's side this year as the top tier is being reduced to 12 teams next season, but the Centurions will certainly be aiming to go up in 12 months’ time.
Leigh took the lead after only four minutes when second-rower Matt Sarsfield finished off a break by winger Liam Kay for the first of their six tries, with man of the match Martyn Ridyard kicking the first of his six goals from eight attempts.
Featherstone might have drawn level when scrum-half Gareth Moore was released on halfway by James Lockwood but Brierley proved he can save tries as well as score them when he got back to pull off a last-ditch tackle.
Leigh had no problem taking their chances, with full-back Gregg McNally making the most of a break by hooker Sean Penkwicz to finish off a sizzling move and centre Tom Armstrong strolling over straight from a scrum.
Tries
Full-back Will Sharp pulled a try back for Featherstone on 26 minutes, latching onto a cross-field kick by Andy Kain, and Moore's successful conversion made it 18-6.
Leigh substitute Marin Aspinwall was inches away from adding a fourth try before Ridyard extended his side's lead to 14 points by the break with a penalty.
From a position of complete control, Leigh's grip was loosened when Sharp reached over for his side's second try.
Featherstone forward Matty James was then held up after reaching the line and hooker Luke Teasdale had a try disallowed by video referee Ben Thaler for blocking.
However, Leigh made sure of the victory on 64 minutes when right winger Adam Higson took Brierley's long pass to produce an acrobatic try and five minutes later loose forward Sam Barlow crashed over the whitewash.
Both sides were down to 12 men by then after Featherstone winger Jason Crookes was sin-binned for a high shot on Armstrong, with Penkywicz shown a yellow card for retaliation.
Ridyard increased his side's lead with a penalty before Brierley rounded off the scoring.
Earlier in the day at Headingley, Hunslet gained promotion to the second tier from Championship 1 as Thomas Coyle slotted over a golden-point drop goal in extra time to secure a 17-16 win over Oldham.
