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KINGSTONE PRESS CHAMPIONSHIP v SUNDAY 4TH AUGUST 2013 AT Kick Off 3:00pm

Main Match Sponsor Matchball Sponsor & Programme Sponsor CLUB CONTACTS FROM THE Telephone: Facebook: 01942 487887 www.facebook.com/leighcenturionsfanpage EDITOR By ALAN EDGE Email: Twitter: General Enquiries – twitter.com/LeighCenturions WHO’S WHO or tweet us @LeighCenturions [email protected] his afternoon we bid a At Leigh Centurions most of whom can recall a favourite ‘bone-cruncher’ from Jimmy. He Twarm ‘Leyther’ welcome made 184 appearances for Leigh, notching 24 tries. Hon Life President to the players, officials and Director Steve Openshaw says, “Cut Jimmy in half and it says Leigh Mr Tommy Sale MBE supporters of Swinton Centurions. He’s put himself on the line for this Club for so long, and Hon Vice President Lions, for the Kingstone NEXT UP AT LSV probably feels he’s held together with bits of tape and string. He will Mr Andy Burnham MP Press Championship Round 22 game. Hon Life Members always be welcome at the Club but it’s time for him to take a step back Mr Brian Bowman It seems strange to be welcoming Swinton to their home stadium, and and look after himself and his young family, while he develops a career Mr Tommy Coleman it must seem strange to their players too who, having been used to outside . He’s in his Testimonial Year and after nearly 11 Mr Frank Taylor changing in the ‘home’ dressing room, must now move across to the years it’s time for the Club and the fans to show their support and Supervisory Board Chairman: ‘visitors’ room! appreciation for him”. Mr John Roddy As with most Championship clubs, Swinton have entered into a Jimmy had this to say, about his decision, “I would like to formally thank Operations Director: SUNDAY 18TH AUGUST 2013 SUNDAY 1ST SEPTEMBER 2013 ‘partnership’ agreement with a club – in their case with all the coaches, players, staff and most importantly the fans who have Mr Allan Mazey Kingstone Press Kingstone Press . This arrangement has enabled Swinton to benefit had much influence on my rugby career and life in general. It has been a Board Of Management Championship Championship from the Wolves’ training and coaching facilities and indeed, when fantastic journey but sometimes you need to know when is enough and Mr Michael Norris Round 24 Round 26 coach Steve McCormack resigned earlier in the season, his job was my body has been telling me that for a while now” Mr Derek Beaumont Mr Andy Mazey CENTURIONS CENTURIONS filled by Wolves’ assistant coach, Gary Chambers. Swinton have I’m sure that every single Leigh fan would wish Jimmy a happy Mr Alan Platt v v perhaps gone further than other Championship clubs, in their use of retirement from the game, and every success for the future. Mr Steve Openshaw ‘Dual Contract’ players. Indeed, their interpretation of ‘dual WHITEHAVEN registration’ differs significantly from that of clubs like Leigh, and they Please watch out for announcements of Jimmy’s Testimonial events. It’s Mr Neil Wilcock very rare to celebrate a player spending his entire professional career at Kick-Off 3:00 p.m. Kick-Off 3:00 p.m. have been able to call on a significant number of Warrington players, Ms Jackie Mottershead one club. Thanks Jimmy, and good luck. Company Secretary Season Tickets Apply Season Tickets Apply either as ‘permanent’ signings, or dual contract loanees. There remains Mr John Massey some confusion over a number of their ‘permanent’ signings, who still NRC Final appear as Warrington players’ on the Wolves’ official website! First Team Coach Congratulations to Paul, the team and the coaching staff, on Mr However, it must be stressed that, however individual clubs are bringing back ‘our’ Northern Rail Cup! Here’s hoping it’s just the Assistant Coach interpreting the operating rules of the RFL, on ‘dual registrations’, first of many trophies for Paul, in a long and successful coaching career. Mr Neil Jukes HONOURS CLUB RECORDS none of them is actually contravening those rules. I would anticipate Who will ever forget that last sensational 25 minutes, when the team Under 20's Coach Championship Winners: Biggest Victory: that ‘dual registration’ will be high on the RFL agenda, when it comes scorched in for 27 points, and had two further ‘tries’ disallowed by the Mr Paul Anderson 1905-06 92-2 vs Keighley (1986) to rule changes for 2014! Under 18's Training Squad video referee? Division One Champions: Biggest Defeat: Of course, proposed partnerships between Wolves and Lions are Coaches Congratulations also to each and every Leigh fan, who made the 1981-82 4-94 vs (1995) nothing new. Greek philosopher Epicurus (341-270 BC) said, “Only Mr journey to Halifax, and shouted the team to victory, in a non-stop blast Division Two Champions: Highest Home Attendance: Wolves and Lions eat alone. You should not eat, even a snack, on your Mr of noise, that must have inspired all our players, and equally intimidated 1977-78, 1985-86, 1988-89 31,326 vs St Helens (1953) own.” Eighteen hundred years later, Italian philosopher Niccolo Junior Elite Training Squad Winners: Lowest Post War Home Attendance: each of Sheffield’s. Coaches Machiavelli was thinking along similar lines, when he pronounced, 1920-21, 1970-71 451 vs Hull (1975) “The lion cannot protect himself from traps, and the fox cannot defend The ‘crowd’ of 4,179 was very meagre, for two major Championship Mr Simon Knox Lancashire Cup Winners: Most Tries in a game: Mr Tim Hartley himself from wolves. One must, therefore, be a fox to recognise traps finals. When you consider we must have been responsible for well over 1952-53, 1955-56, 1970-71, 1981-82 Jack Wood 6 v York (1947), Mr Martin Ellis and a lion to frighten wolves.” half that attendance, and the number of neutrals who came along, it BBC2 Floodlit Trophy: Neil Turley 6 v Workington Town (2001) begs the question – just how many tickets were sold by the other three Physiotherapists Ironically, Swinton may have found the constant ‘comings and goings’ 1969-70, 1972-73 Most Goals in a game: participants? and the Sheffield directors must despair at Jo Seddon to their disadvantage this season, as it must have been difficult to Promotion To Top Division achieved Mick Stacey 15 vs Doncaster (1976) their level of support, when they have put together such a good, Steve Blakeley field a settled team. They currently lie uncomfortably close to the (Not as Champions): Most Points in a game: attractive side. Moving the final from to Halifax may have Club Ambassador relegation zone but, in a tight league, two or three timely victories 1963-64, 1975-76, 1991-92 Neil Turley 42 vs Chorley (2004) been a contributory factor but, for me, the root of the problem lies Mr Alex Murphy OBE could still propel them into the play-off positions. Irrespective of Other Promotion season: Most Tries in a season: elsewhere in our Game, and one can only hope that the proposed Business Manager league positions, today’s encounter, like previous meetings, is sure to 1997 (Division 3 to Division 2) Neil Turley 55 (2001) structural changes to rugby league in the UK provide the answer. Rob Parker be a tight, hard fought affair, played before what may be our highest Lottery Manager Northern Ford Minor Premiership Most Goals in a season: home gate of the season. For our part, we have to strive hard to ensure that the 2,000 to 2,500 Ms Christine Brown Winners: 2001 Neil Turley 187 (2004) Trans-Pennine Cup Winners: Most Points in a season: James Taylor ‘Leythers’ who were at Halifax, come back today and form the basis Lottery Co-ordinator for attracting more supporters to our games. Mr Jonathan Simpkin 2001 Neil Turley 468 (2004) Popular forward James Taylor recently announced his Finance Manager Arriva Trains Cup Winners: Most Tries in a career: premature retirement from the game. Ms Jane Smith 2004 Mick Martyn 189 (1954-67) Today’s Webmaster & Ticket Sales LHF National League 1 Champions: Most Goals in a career: In latter years, James has been plagued by knee problems, and recently Mascot Mr Andrew Parkinson 2004 Jimmy Ledgard 1043 (1948-58) took a couple of nasty bangs to the head. These injuries, coupled with Club Accountants LHF National League 1 Grand Final Most Points in a career: the demands of a new job, have meant that James has been unable to Today’s mascot is Carrie Allison. Styles & Co Winners: 2004 John Woods 2492 (1976-85, 1990-92) devote the time to achieving the levels of fitness, demanded by the Carrie is eight years old, and Hon Programme Editor Northern Rail Cup Winners: Most Appearances: current game. attends Leigh C E Junior School. Mr Alan Edge 2006, 2011, 2013 Albert Worrall – 503 (1920-38) Since making his debut, as a 21 year old, in the club’s ill-fated Super Her favourite player is Bob league season, James has been a mainstay of the side. His Beswick. uncompromising defence has made him a firm favourite of the fans,

2 THE CENTURION www.leighcenturions.com www.leighlife.com THE CENTURION 3 FROM THE TOP By INTERIM Chairman JOHN RODDY

ell let me first welcome our 2014 & 2015 Seasons W new supporters to the Leigh Sports Village, the home of Leigh I just wanted to let you know that behind the scenes the BOM, Centurions - Northern Rail Cup with Paul Rowley and associated partners, are in discussions and Champions 2013! have been for many weeks, working on and developing our strategy for the changes in our league structure. The Board of From the messages we have received, I know that new Management, like you, are hungry for success. It is however vital and old faces will be in the crowd today. I hope that you that our plans for the future are sustainable for the club. have a fantastic experience; you could not have chosen a When we are in a position to tell you more, we will do, be assured better match to attend and we hope to see you for the of that - in the meantime your continued support and letting all rest of the season and beyond. your friends, neighbours and family know what a fantastic club Turning to our existing loyal supporters - well what a fabulous day we are, and hopefully, bringing them to a game is a key it was at The Shay. You were truly amazing; believe me when I component in our plans. personally observed and heard you enjoying the occasion, all the trials and tribulations of the past few months disappeared. I know O2 Leigh that my colleagues on the Board of Management will agree with A huge thank you to O2 Leigh for sponsoring today's game and me. making the occasion a very special one for the club. We hope that Congratulations to Paul and the whole squad; their tactics and you and your guests have a great time, and we hope that we can desire to 'win our trophy back' were just too powerful for entice you back next year or on a more regular basis. May I also Sheffield on the day. Having spoken to Paul before the match and take this opportunity to congratulate Rob Parker (with his during the lead up to the game, I was confident that the team Business Manager hat on) for securing this special relationship was going into the game completely focused on lifting the trophy with O2 Leigh - Well done Rob..! - we all know what happened from there. John Thank you again for your support and to all the Leigh Centurion John Roddy support teams and associated partners, thank you to you again; Interim Chairman your hard work paid off 100% and you should be very proud of Leigh Centurions RLFC your achievements. We won ‘our trophy’ back!

4 THE CENTURION www.leighcenturions.com 6 THE CENTURION www.leighcenturions.com www.leighlife.com THE CENTURION 9 PAUL’S PAGE PAUL ROWLEY TALKS TO DAVE PARKINSON

Dave Parkinson chats to Paul Rowley about the Northern Rail In our big games this year – Batley at home, Featherstone away and now Cup Final and fixture scheduling. the Northern Rail Cup Final, he’s been that cutting edge. DP: Paul, taking you back to the Northern Rail Cup Final, the When we signed him, I said we’d signed Penky to get us over the finish team showed its mettle on more than one occasion, fighting line and he’s proved to do just that on many occasions already in the big back from eight point deficits on two occasions to win the games. game. DP: And we talk about those players that played, there was the PR: Yeah, we made it tough. We probably played a bit too safe in that first squad as a whole, they were all there lending their support. half. Sometimes you’ve got that much adrenalin, that much enthusiasm, PR: We set off on this path together and we’ve used all the players. that much will to win. You just want to belt each other for forty minutes Everyone has featured along the road. It’s sometimes little consolation and test each other out and stand toe to toe. when you don’t get the nod to be selected, but unfortunately that’s just That’s the mentality our players have, you have to credit them for that. They the way it is. It’s an unthinkable task having to pick the team. I do what I weren’t going to give anything away, they weren’t going to get bullied. think is right and I think I got it right there. I’ve got no regrets. In the second half we added those extra couple of ingredients of being a DP: Looking back at the Hunslet game, I suppose the first little bit smarter and showing what fine skilful players that our team has, requisite was a win, you got that win! the lads were outstanding. PR: Yeah I’m delighted to get the win. I think Hunslet had their strongest DP: They were and it’s always a shame when there is one man- team on paper that they’ve had all year. They played really well today and of-the-match named as arguably there could have been defended really well. We bombed three clear cut chances and they were seventeen. It was a collective wasn’t it? clear-cut, not maybes. It was difficult for us but at one point we put a sequence of twelve completed sets together and forced a lot of errors. We PR: 100 percent. We went into that second half, we knew we were coming spent a lot of time in Hunslet’s territory in the second half. back to our fans, we had seven subs remaining and a lot of energy within the team. We got it right. So on a day where it was hard to get up for mentally and there is no atmosphere, it was a quiet dressing room before and after, it was about You go on about man-of-the-match awards and you are right. Every single doing the job and taking the opportunity to close a gap on the teams one of them was uniquely good for their own particular reason. The game infront and create one between ourselves and Batley. Other results went needed everybody’s input and everybody had a starring role at some point favourably for us. in that game. The boys have done well to back up and the statistics on this occasion Martyn Ridyard got the man-of-the-match and I know he gets a lot of have got us through. We are probably fifteen to twenty percent better than praise but he’s still under-rated. He’s a fabulous player and his talents are that and more urgent and desperate but we are quite happy to get phenomenal. You can’t coach some of it. He is blessed with a lot of skill. through. Our rules and principles for us through. The connection that himself, Gregg and Kes have, is something that DP: That was the first of four games in twelve days, Halifax in everyone has embraced and is a joy to watch. When those three play well, midweek followed by Swinton and then a trip to Sheffield. our team plays well. PR: The turnaround is ridiculous to be honest. Four games in twelve days is DP: Add in the secret ingredient of Sean Penkywicz off the not looking after player welfare. We didn’t want to play this Wednesday, bench? we wanted to play on the Wednesday after the Cup Final. Part time players PR: Penky knew when he was coming on. We knew what we were going to playing every three days over a two week period is ridiculous, but it is what do there, we knew how we were going to use Bob Beswick. Penky was it is and we plan to flip that on its head. We plan to grow, to flip that on its outstanding and he’s got a bit of a love affair going on with that cup head, we plan to build from that. It could be the making of us. We are having won it last year and being named man-of-the-match. attacking it, we are not going to sit back and dwell on it.

A new contract and a cup winner's medal all in one week, for Paul with the Northern Rail Cup - he's now won it as a player . and a coach.

www.leighlife.com THE CENTURION 11 A VIEW FROM UNDER TOUR OF

A FLAT CAP By ALAN EDGE By

DUTY MIKE HULME Mike Hulme Views expressed in this article are not necessarily those of the Leigh Centurions club, or its Directors! THE CUP COMES HOME The Value Of Experience Editor: - Formerly the editor of the Leigh Journal, Mike Hulme currently holds a similar role with the new local newspaper the Leigh Independent, copies of which can be obtained at any of the Well, what a great day out that was – and in Halifax too! Who They say that you cannot put a value on experience; that it is says the Northern Rail Cup Final can only be enjoyed in priceless in a team sport, whereby the younger members of the supermarkets in town. Mike possesses a vast knowledge of Leigh Centurions and the world of Blackpool?! Over 2,000 Leythers seemed to be having a team benefit enormously from their older, wiser, team-mates. Rugby League and I am delighted to welcome him back to the pages of ‘The Centurion’. perfectly good time, over the ‘Dark Side’ of the Pennines. Indeed, 19th Century French statesman Georges Clemenceau professed that “All I know, I learned after I was thirty.” The omens hadn’t been good, what with the ‘information package’ issued he fourth edition of by the RFL, stating that we wouldn’t be able to take food and drink into Salford City Reds certainly seem to be buying into that concept, as they Australia. Tthe Exiles concept the stadium, wouldn’t be able to park our cars there, our flags had to fit build their squad for Sooper Dooper League in 2014. Saints’ Samoan A mid-season break in Super League (and saw England come out certain criteria, and we generally didn’t seem to be encouraged to have a winger Francis Meli has signed on the dotted line at the tender age of 34. they are talking about cutting down the Meli is said to have accepted a six-figure annual salary to join the Reds, on top in Warrington, good time! number of games anyway, so that shouldn't where he will be joined by Warrington’s promising young prop Adrian but perhaps a crowd of I’ve never experienced trouble parking at the Shay before, but decided to be hard to organise) would allow the Morley, (36) who is over the moon at being given the chance to play at his just under 8,000 wasn’t research the RFL advice on available car parks in Halifax. Prescott Street national team a three-week period to travel home-town club, stating that “I’ve played on longer than I thought I quite what was hoped car park has 22 spaces; St John’s Lane 27; Union Street 35; Bull Green 39; to Australia and play opponents during the would. It will be fantastic to finish there.” Another 30-something, Saints for. King Street 28. Hardly sufficient spaces for a travelling army! As it turned full-back has turned down the opportunity to play for Salford time State of Origin is on. out, there was ample space to park, (I parked FREE in a town centre car City Veterans, presumably as, at the age of 33, he feels he is too young to It was, as it happens, up on the figure for park) although not for the cavalcade of coaches, some of which appeared go there, just yet! Reds’ targets Michael Dobson, (27) and Corey Patterson New Zealand would have players available to get lost during the game! game two of the series in Huddersfield last Action from this season's Exiles encounter during that time, while Samoa and Tonga (26) have opted for the NRL, but will no doubt be willing to listen to season, but the numbers have dwindled before a sparse Halliwell Jones crowd The frenetic pace of the game was almost too much for the media and Salford’s overtures in ten years! could be possible opponents too. A lot of considerably since its inception in 2011. stadium officials. Twice the scoreboard operators got it wrong – at the end Reds’ new CEO, banker David Matthews is, “amazed by the quality of effort is going into the island nations and of each half, when Riddy’s conversion wasn’t tagged on to our score, and players that want to come and play at Salford. Top, top players can see So what else can England do to give something like this would surely aid their Tom Armstrong’s late try, (to no avail this time) was ignored. The RFL what we are trying to achieve at this club.” The more cynical amongst us themselves some meaningful opponents development in both the short and long missed Tom’s try too, with the final score being 43-24 on their website. might suggest that this interest is fuelled by the wages Salford are midway through a campaign? Personally, I term. And, talking of websites SKY, (our major broadcaster) on their ‘Live Score prepared to pay, especially to those players who are nearing the end of think the concept is still good. The key to it, By doing this, national boss Steve Update’ site, had Crusaders beating Skolars in the Northern Rail their careers, and looking to build a substantial retirement pension! Cup Final , and Leigh defeating Sheffield, in the Northern Rail Cup Semi- though, is making it popular with the fans, McNamara could also have his NRL players Final! Who says “there is no such thing as bad publicity?!” Salford are, of course, bankrolled by multi-millionaire owner of race horses, and that perhaps means changes are in camp and although not all of them might (and old RL players) Dr. Marwan Koukash. Matthews states that “Marwan needed. be able to play due to their club Fight The Good Fight gets very frustrated about the salary cap restrictions. He’s so passionate about making the Reds a top team, and he sees these hurdles being put in Having empty stadiums is not good for the commitments, it would at least allow the The ‘dust up’ in the final pales into insignificance, when compared game, especially if the matches are entire squad to get together. with events at a recent Wigan v Bradford Under 19’s clash. his way.” Reds’ fans needn’t be concerned that this may prevent Dr. Koukash from attaining more residents for his retirement home though – televised. Obviously some matches are well If the author had his way, England players could NINE players have been recommended for suspension following a brawl after The break would also allow those not as Matthews observes, “He (Koukash) is trying to be creative and finding attended and some clubs attract sizeable witness first hand, Samoan opponents involved with England to re-charge their the final hooter. In what seems to have been a somewhat one-sided bout, ways within the rules, to give our supporters a stronger team.” attendances, but the numbers coming performing the Manu Siva Tau in Australia. seven Warriors and two Bulls are due to be absent from between one and batteries for the second half of the season eight games – although it’s a Bradford player who is threatened with the Just a thought for Salford’s new, banker, CEO – the salary cap is present, to through the turnstiles has to be a concern (though could that then bring in club v longest ban. One or two clubs in the Championships could be starved of dual protect clubs from themselves, in spending money they haven’t got. Recent for the game moving forward. country issues?). Obviously a lot of things contract/ players, if all the bans are implemented! history would point out that a number of clubs have been guilty of doing England need some sort of hit-out - would have to coincide for this to happen. just that and have and have had to be saved from financial ruin. One of When Is A Medic Not A Medic? the most recent of those clubs was….Salford! Wouldn’t it be nice if Yorkshire v Lancashire tried and failed in the For instance, the RFL and the NRL would Salford were to pay off the outstanding creditors from the pre-Koukash not so distant past, while there's no point have to come to some agreements over their The recent Gloucestershire All Golds v game, in playing France or Wales at the moment. schedules to make space. Championship One, was postponed at the last minute, when RFL regime, before they started throwing money at ageing RL stars of Match Commissioner Peter Taberner ruled that All Golds’ yesterday? None of the sides involved got any real But even if England only get to play two nominated medic, Lee Clyne, did not meet the RFL’s eligibility benefit from those matches. games, against say a New Zealand XIII and rules for medical cover. It's a bit concerning when it's the pride of a Samoa, then that would surely be of benefit Hemel coach Troy Perkins was outspoken in his criticism of All Golds and nation against the best from overseas, a Leigh's Neil Turley in try scoring action for to both them and also the international demanded the three league points be awarded to his club, stating the Barbarians team if you like, and we can't sell Lancashire in a Roses encounter game as a whole. “shambles didn’t reflect well on Gloucestershire.” it out. It's disappointing, particularly for the team, giving them a chance to play against Or what about a game against Australia ‘A’? On the face of it, Perkins is right. However, all is not as clear cut as it first players as they would love to be appearing Surely it’s worth thinking about. seems! As All Golds CEO Rob Webber explains, “Lee Clyne is an in front of packed houses. a national team in a one-off fixture. experienced paramedic, who has acted as medical cover in at least SIX However I don't feel scrapping the game is Perhaps it's about finding the right time of Championship One games this season. As far as we’re concerned, he WAS year, or the right venue. eligible.” Webber has called on the RFL to clarify the situation on medical an option. I think it's vital for England to cover, (Editor – what, the RFL having to clarify their own rules?!) stating play someone like the Exiles. And the players So what about this - rather than taking on that the RFL’s guidelines merely state that you have to have a ‘medical who take part for the Exiles say it is a great the Exiles here, England instead travelled for practitioner’ present, and that practitioner can be anything from a will realise a (long) honour to be selected in a representative a tour of Down Under, though not to face paramedic, or doctor, to a nurse or even a VET! A VET - “they shoot horses, lifetime ambition to play for his Francis Meli - off to the Reds. don’t they?!” home-town club.

12 THE CENTURION www.leighcenturions.com www.leighlife.com THE CENTURION 13 THE NEW LIONS - 2013 so far employed twenty two of Warrington’s playing roster, either as permanent signings, or Dual Contract players. The twenty two IN TOWN TODAY There have been many comings and goings in Swinton’s players, including seven full internationals, and three England squad this season – 41 players had donned the famous Knights players, are:- blue and white shirt, at the time of writing. Gavin Bennion, Dan Birkett, , , Lee Much has been spoken and written, about the rights and wrongs Briers, Jordan Burke, , Brad Dwyer, Rhys Evans, Ben SWINTON LIONS of Swinton’s partnership agreement with Warrington Wolves this Harrison, Liam Hulme, , Tyrone McCarthy, season. Now is not the time to revive that debate, but the James Mendeika, Adrian Morley, Jack Morrison, Gareth O’Brien, By ALAN EDGE ‘fluidity’ of the agreement, makes it somewhat difficult for a Gene Ormsby, Glenn Riley, , Rhys Williams, and Paul humble scribe to attempt potted details of Swinton’s acquisitions, Wood. this season. Suffice to say that, by my reckoning, Swinton have Swinton’s Homes ground share, this time with Salford City FC, after having completed a few of their home fixtures at Leigh and Chorley. Action from this season’s ‘away’ game with Swinton 1866 – Swinton Cricket Club decided they would like to take 2003 – Park Lane. For the next seven years, Swinton were to up football in the winter months ground share with a different type of landlord, Sedgley Park 1871 – Off Station Road. The club joined the Rugby Football RUFC, at Whitefield. In 2006, Swinton announced their intention Union, under the name Swinton & Pendlebury FC. to move back into the ‘M27’ postcode area, by purchasing a plot of land at Agecroft. 1873 – Stoneacre became the new home, and the nearby White Lion public house provided changing rooms. Swinton have 2011 – The Willows. Whilst awaiting developments at Agecroft, been known as the ‘Lions’ since that date. In 1878, Swinton took Swinton moved in with Super league neighbours, Salford City part in the first ever floodlit game, against Broughton, in Salford. Reds, for a season, prior to the Reds’ move into their own new stadium. 1886 – Chorley Road. Ten years later, the club reluctantly joined the Northern Union. By now, Swinton were a very strong 2012 – Leigh Sports Village. In a reversal of the 1991 proposal, team and won the Challenge Cup in 1900, defeating local rivals Swinton are currently sharing the LSV stadium, with the Salford, at Fallowfield. Six years later, Swinton defeated Centurions. Pontefract by 76-4, creating a record score that was to stand for News on the Agecroft development has gone quiet, although almost 90 years. Incredibly, they lost the return fixture by 0-5! major projects like this do frustratingly take time. It is hoped that the club’s plans come to fruition sooner, rather than later, so that The 1920 ’s were a boom period for the club, winning the they can move back ‘home’ and commence the process of slips out a try-creating pass Premiership, the Challenge Cup, and Lancashire Cup twice, in Matt Gardner attempts to evade an opponent building the club back to former glories addition to the Lancashire League three times. They remain the only Lancashire club, and indeed the last club, to have won all Rob Parker makes the hard yards four available trophies; (in 1927-8) a feat already achieved by Hunslet and Huddersfield, over on the ‘dark side’ of the Pennines. SWINTON LIONS 1929 – Station Road. At the height of their success, Swinton moved into what was to become their spiritual home, beside the Statistics 2012/13 railway line, off Station Road, close to where it all started almost up to and including 21st July 2013 50 years previously. This huge new stadium was soon established as a major venue in the Rugby League, hosting Test Matches, Appearances: (Maximum 23) Highest Home Attendance 22 – Smith; 21 – Ainscough; 2012 Championship Finals, Lancashire Cup Finals and Challenge Cup 19 – Mills, Penny; 1,796 (v Leigh – Championship) semi-finals. It boasted what must surely be the tallest goal posts 18 – R. Hawkyard, Shaw; Lowest Home Attendance seen in Rugby League. 17 – Morrison, D. Hawkyard 2013 In a RFL proposal to create a Manchester club was Tries: (Total 77) 400 (est) v Doncaster; 1960 9 – Shaw; 7 – Penny, Sarsfield; (Northern Rail Cup) heavily opposed by Swinton and Salford, who were both anxious 5 – Ainscough, Mendeika, Harvey 453 v Hunslet (Championship) to maintain their individual identities. Indeed, throughout the Goals: (Total 59) Lowest Home Attendance 60’s, Swinton re-inforced that identity, by twice becoming 38 – Shaw; 9 – Harvey; 2012 champions, in a squad that boasted legendary names such as Ken 6 – O’Brien; 404 v Siddal; (Challenge Cup) Gowers, Alan Buckley, John Stopford, Ken Roberts and Albert Average Home Attendance 410 v York (Championship) Blan. By the time two divisions were introduced in 1973, Swinton 2013 were out of the top flight. 674; (all competitions) 709 (Championship) 1992 – Gigg Lane. In 1991, Leigh declined the offer of a Average Home Attendance ground share at Station Road, and by the following year, the 2012 famous ground had been sold, to make way for a housing estate. 664; (all competitions) Swinton signed a ground share agreement with Bury FC and, for 759 (Championship) the first time in 120 years, they had moved outside the Borough, Highest Home Attendance causing a devastating impact on their gates. 2013 1,411 (v Whitehaven – 2002 – Moor Lane. More financial problems, this time on the Championship) part of their footballing landlords, forced the club into another

14 THE CENTURION www.leighcenturions.com www.leighlife.com THE CENTURION 15 LOTTERY NEWS THANK YOU

AGENTS WANTED Superleigh Lottery TO OUR We are looking for Lottery Agents in the Company Members Leigh, Atherton and Lowton Areas. • CORLETT ELECTRICAL SPONSOR We have ready made rounds available. Good • JR TAXIS Commision paid. • JR MINI BUSES Agents who bring in over £30.00 per week • JR AIRPORT EXPRESS oday we are delighted to If you want a new handset before the end of their contract term, receive a free season ticket. T welcome as main match, match O2 Refresh enables you to pay off the remainder of your Phone MMI ENGINEERING • ball and programme sponsor, Plan and end your Airtime Plan with no termination fee. To make • TAYLOR DRILLING SERVICES O2 Leigh. it even more affordable to get the latest smartphone, customers • DK MOTOR ACCESSORIES O2 store can be found in the Spinning Gate Shopping can trade in their old mobile for cash using O2 Recycle, getting up RUGBY • MUNCHIES Centre opposite the entrance to the market hall. to £260 to put towards their new phone. • HATTONS SOLICITORS O2 Refresh also offers great long-term value for those customers ROYAL OAK who don’t want or need a new phone before the end of their CARDS • contract term. Once the customer has paid the full balance of • LANCASTRIAN LEISURE their Phone Plan, monthly payments dramatically reduce to just We now have rugby cards available to • ASK PLATT OFFICE SUPPLIES the cost of the Airtime Plan. generate extra revenue for the club. • THE CENTURION PUB Customers have a choice of three O2 Refresh Airtime Plans, which Can you sell a rugby card to family and • INTEGRATED CONTROL SOLUTIONS have been tailored to meet varying call, text and data friends. • PENNINE UTILITIES requirements. For £12 a month, customers get 600 minutes, unlimited texts and 750MB of data; for £17, customers will have The cards are made up of 50 squares at • DARREN LEWIS PLUMBING 50p a go. The prize is 1 Adult Match Ticket unlimited minutes, unlimited texts and 1GB of data and for £22 • RED LION ATHERTON they receive unlimited minutes, unlimited texts and 2GB of data. to a game of the winner’s choice. If you S & J AUTOS can help contact the ticket office on 01942 • O2 Refresh has also been designed to give customers the • THE ALE HOUSE flexibility to choose whether to make an upfront payment. The 487892. overall cost of the phone may be less depending on whether a customer chooses to make an upfront payment toward their We have been open since April 2007 and were recently mobile and which O2 Refresh Airtime Plan they opt for. The team celebrates victory in the Northern Rail Cup Final refurbished. Our brand new store has the latest in mobile technology, ready for you to try and our friendly team of Gurus O2 Refresh is currently available from O2 Leigh on a range of and Sales Advisors are always on hand to help you with your phones including the HTC One, Sony Xperia Z, Blackberry Z10, enquiry or purchase. Samsung Galaxy S4 and Apple iPhone 5. Even if you are currently tied into a contract with O2 and not yet due for upgrade, we can Our Store Manager and Guru Steph, who has been at our Leigh give you a discounted price to move to the new Refresh tariff; you store since 2007, is one of the longest serving employees within can even trade in your current mobile phone against this cost. our company, so you can be sure that between Steph and her team of experienced advisors you will be well looked after Why not pop in and see what we can do . throughout your time with NS Connections and O2. We are an independent Franchise of Telefónica O2 and have been operational since November 2006, when we opened of our first store in Ormskirk. We then launched our Leigh store in the following April and the Bootle store in the November that year. O2 Leigh has recently launched a brand new tariff, O2 Refresh, allowing customers to get the latest phone whenever they want O2 Refresh is the first 24 month tariff to decouple the cost of the phone from the cost of calls, texts and data. O2 Refresh has been designed for customers to get a new phone at any time, without having to pay out their airtime contract. Instead, customers simply pay the remaining balance for their phone and then start afresh. When you sign up to O2 Refresh, you choose a Phone Plan and an Airtime Plan. By signing up and paying separately for their phone and airtime, customers are given complete transparency, while paying the same overall as they would on a standard 24 month Pay Monthly tariff.

16 THE CENTURION www.leighcenturions.com www.leighlife.com THE CENTURION 17 LEIGH Sponsorship Opportunities Leigh Centurions have introduced additional sponsorship opportunities, to appeal to supporters and small businesses. CENTURIONS For £100, you can sponsor the shorts, or socks, of a player of your choice, for a season. To take advantage of this excellent opportunity, please contact SQUAD - 2013 Head COACH - PAUL ROWLEY Alf Ridyard on 07930 532154 or on email at [email protected]

No NAME Shirt Sponsor Player Sponsor SHORTS SPONSOR SOCKS SPONSOR

1 GregG McNally Marstrut CUT & BLOW BOND STREET CLUB

2 Steve Maden Padken Steel Erectors JMS INTERIORS FERROLI (BOILERS)

3 Stuart Littler Professional Witnesses CORLETT ELECTRICAL THE BOARS HEAD MICK LYNCH TFR

4 Matt Gardner Williams & Co - Personal Injury Solicitors DR DOUBLET-STEWART

5 Jon Pownall Grada UK LC COMMUNICATIONS NORTH STANDER

6 Martyn Ridyard Integrated Control Solutions Integrated Control Solutions LUNCH BOX MICHAEL CAINE

7 Ryan Brierley Leigh Sports Village Co LISA & HA ENGLAND ENGINEERS LTD ADS MARQUEES CENTURION HYDRAULICS

8 Sam Hopkins Styles & Co AB SUNDECKS

9 Bob Beswick Taylor Drilling Services ASK PLATT OFFICE SUPPLIES

10 Rob Parker Hamilton Fabrications Ltd TUFFNELLS TOYMASTER

11 Simon Finnigan Ask Platt Office Supplies CDA BUSINESS SERVICES

12 Tommy Goulden CDA Business Services INTRA HEALTH FAMILY PACTICE - LSV ALAN EDMUNDSON ELECTRICAL BLACKBURN

13 Widdows Mason Solicitors LISA

14 Sean Penkywicz Leigh Market Traders Association HAMILTON FABRICATIONS LTD

15 Andy Thornley Ale House Leisure Ltd Ale House Leisure Ltd

16 Craig Briscoe L.I.S.A. IN MEMORY OF TERRY WILCOCK

17 Tommy Coyle Greenheart Regional Park Project EDMUNDSON ELECTRICAL

18 Anthony Nicholson AVAILABLE AVAILABLE

19 Michael Ostick AVAILABLE AVAILABLE

20 James Taylor AVAILABLE KATIE WILLIAMS

21 Ryan Duffy AVAILABLE TROPHY ENGRAVING WIGAN TOMMY SALE MBE TOMMY SALE MBE

22 Adam Higson AVAILABLE AVAILABLE

23 Chris Rowe AVAILABLE LISA

32 ANTHONY BATE

34 Tom Spencer

18 THE CENTURION www.leighcenturions.com www.leighlife.com THE CENTURION 19 NORTHERN RAIL CUP FINAL 2013

LEIGH CENTURIONS 43 28 The team and crowd are delighted with Sean Penkywicz's try.

The three amigos - Beswick, Littler and Parker.

Stuart Littler scores Leigh's first try. Happy fans in the South Stand

We've got our cup back!

The big comeback starts as Tom Spencer The coaching staff get their crashes over. hands on the trophy.

20 THE CENTURION www.leighcenturions.com www.leighlife.com THE CENTURION 211 LOVE RUGBY CAPTAIN’S LOG By TONY LEAGUE WILLIAMS Tony Williams NATHAN LAWRENSON

Editor: - Tony Williams is a leading journalist on the excellent TALKS TO TEAM CAPTAIN, ‘Love Rugby League’ website. ROB PARKER Rob Parker disappointing set of Challenge A Cup quarter finals last month First of all, I’ll leave it up to you to motivation to win some silverware. They has once again led to calls to scrap put last weekend’s Northern Rail have some strike power right across the the competition. Cup triumph into words… team, but I think we found a way to win. Two of the games were one-sided affairs – Widnes took It’s a tough one! It was just a massive We had a lot of belief about ourselves their poor form to the DW Stadium and were duly collective effort from everyone and that and in the end, were able to accomplish thrashed by Wigan, while Huddersfield belied their stems back not to just on the day, but in what we went there to do. league position to turn in a poor performance at the past couple of months. We had some How much of a lift was the Warrington – while the other two were scrappy affairs issues a couple of months ago, before we travelling support from the Leigh that failed to show rugby league at its best. played Batley and I think the lads, the faithful? backroom staff and the new board of As a group of players, we fully recognise Frustrations with the poor fixtures have persuaded some directors used that as a springboard. It’s the support we receive, week in week out supporters that the famous old trophy needs to be retired. In the Widnes were in poor form in their Challenge Cup tie at Wigan good when teams can win when you’re and Saturday was no different. I think the words of one supporter: “in all honesty this CC competition is playing well but you really see peoples’ doing far more harm than good for the Game of Rugby League Monday night last month, a game which contained many knock- fans really did the club proud and I’m ons and missed tackles. But the most shocking thing is that these true colours when you throw a little bit of and I am more certain than ever that it has by far surpassed it's controversy in the works. I’m really proud happy we could win for them. Not only games took place, not in the Challenge Cup, but in Super League. sell-by date and should be taken from the shelves”. of how everyone has reacted and we’ve did we beat them on the field, but we People have long argued that one-sided games between Super got something to show for our work now. beat them off the field in terms of support League sides and Championship opposition are a reason to get rid and the noise level in the stadium. The atmosphere was great and there were of the Challenge Cup. When Bradford put seventy points on Rob in typical action in the Northern and Salford eighty on Gloucestershire All Golds times in that game, such as when we Rail Cup Final. (and you simultaneously ignore that Batley nearly upset were behind or we had to defend on our own line, when the crowd lifted us and Huddersfield and we all thought Sheffield might beat London) the reminded us why we were there. Turning to today’s game, what are logic of this position is you expecting from Swinton? undeniable. There must be a real feel good factor about the club at the It’s an important game in the grand Yet, it needs to be moment and hopefully that will scheme of things because we need to remembered that push you on to a strong end in the turn our attentions back to the league although Warrington and Championship… now. It’s our local derby and they always Wigan comprehensively We really hope so. We’ve had a few want to put a good performance in Games between Super League and Championship One sides, beat Huddersfield and injuries but people are getting back and against us. There just seems to be such as Rochdale v Bradford, are inevitably one-sided affairs. Widnes, these clubs are starting to look fresh. When you win something there, probably because of the all – and this is important something, you get that winning feeling; derby and it’s a good place to be. They’re The logic of this position is evident. If the Challenge Cup fails to – in the same division. So that belong and hunger to achieve. When going to want to knock us off our perch Warrington Wolves, and their ex- after the final, but we’ve got to believe in provide top-quality fixtures then it really needs to be done away while on the face of it Leythers, are doing the Sport no you win something, the more you want to ourselves and make sure that doesn’t with. The one-sided games, the mistake-ridden games and the scrapping the Challenge favours by running up huge scores. A proud skipper displays the trophy win again to keep that going. It’s the best happen. below-form games – none of these would occur in the Challenge Cup seems the ideal They should be ashamed of themselves. available drug you can get and it’s a Cup if there was no Challenge Cup. solution, what’s to Sheffield went into the game as special thing to be part of. Some of the There’s also a lot going on around Yet those who have called for the end of the Challenge Cup have prevent this sort of thing happening in Super League? favourites having just lost out on a lads have won things before but we’ve all the ground in a venture with 02… failed to realise that such games occur not only in the cup, but in The only viable option then is to bring rugby league to an end. Challenge Cup semi-final spot and got something next to our name now. The 02 store in Leigh have bought into Super League as well. In fact they occur throughout rugby league, Surely the game has run its course – if one-sided, mistake-ridden you must be delighted with the From an off the field point, we know our new era and we’re looking forward to efforts to have turned them over? whenever and wherever it is played. The only logical solution then and below-par games in a competition should spell the end for that where we have gone wrong in the past collaborating with them this week. There’s must surely be to scrap rugby league itself. competition, then one-sided, mistake-ridden and below-par games I kind of liked that they were favourites now, but we’re confident that we’re going to be a concert going on outside in a sport should logically spell the end of that sport. The only because I wanted to keep that underdog heading in the right direction. I’d like to the ground and that’s something I urge Think about it. One-sided games? In June we saw Huddersfield mentality about the place. Sheffield put in pay a massive thank you to everyone – the fans to have a look at. 02 have put a beat the Catalans 60-16, on live television no less! St Helens beat downside though is that many of the game’s “supporters” might have to find something else to spend their days whining about. a good performance against London but I especially John Roddy and his company – lot of effort into this match and hopefully Salford 52-10 just the week before that and – the clinching don’t think they were completely satisfied because I now think we’re in a really it’ll be a success and that they’ll come argument – Warrington beat London 82-10. Then there’s mistake- [email protected] and they were looking to use that as good position. back and be involved with the club again. ridden games. Look no further than Wakefield v Widnes one Twitter: @Tony_Williams88

22 THE CENTURION www.leighcenturions.com www.leighlife.com THE CENTURION 23 CENTURIONS FACTS & STATS

20123 013 LLeeigighh C Caarreeeer r Debuted Squad No DOB Apps Sub Tries Goals Drop Points Apps Sub Tries Goals Drop Points Goals Goals Martin Aspinwall 2013 13 21/10/81 5100 0 0 5 1 0 0 0 0 Anthony Bate 2013 28/04/92 3420 0 8 3 4 2 0 0 8 Bob Beswick 2012 9 08/12/84 24 14 0 0 16 47 47 0 129 Ryan Brierley 2012 7 12/03/92 15 6 19 1280 22 26 44 62190 Craig Briscoe 2010 16 08/12/92 5710 0 4 25 22 80 032 Joe Bullock 2013 27/11/92 0200 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 Greg Burke 2012 12/02/93 3000 0 0 3 1 0 0 0 0 Thomas Coyle 2013 17 10/05/88 2000 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 Dominic Crosby 2013 0100 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 Ryan Duffy 2013 21 13/05/93 2 16 40 0 16 2 16 40 016 Simon Finnigan 2013 11 08/12/81 23 0 10 0040 23 0 10 0040 Matt Gardner 2012 4 24/08/84 24 0 11 0044 54 0 25 00100 Tommy Goulden 2010 12 30/06/81 17 37 0 0 28 90 10 38 00152 Adam Higson 2008/2013 22 19/05/87 1120 0 8 40 22 15 0060 James Hill 2013 2000 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 Sam Hopkins 2011 8 17/02/90 17 7 10 0040 35 27 26 00104 Jack Hughes 2013 1000 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 Stuart Littler 2011 3 19/02/79 26 05 0 0 20 85 1 28 00112 2013 22/07/93 3000 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 Gregg McNally 2012 1 02/01/91 24 0 11 19 0 82 52 0 28 20 0 152 Steve Maden 2004/2008 2 13/09/82 24 08 0 0 32 200 3 71 00284 Anthony Nicholson 2010 18 28/11/90 2610 0 4 19 26 80 032 John O'Donnell 2013 24/06/93 6120 0 8 6 1 2 0 0 8 Michael Ostick 2012 19 23/01/88 20 33 0 0 12 38 83 0 012 Rob Parker 2012 10 05/09/81 15 32 0 0 8 36 56 0 024 Sean Penkywicz 2013 14 18/05/82 12 11 10 0040 12 11 10 0040 Cameron Pitman 2013 1000 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 Jonny Pownall 2011 5 22/08/91 20 0 12 0048 40 2 25 00100 Martyn Ridyard 2009 6 25/07/86 22 0798 1 225 114 10 60 257 3 757 Chris Rowe 2012 23 08/02/94 0000 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 Tom Spencer 2012 02/01/91 9940 016 20 16 70 028 James Taylor 2005 20 11/09/84 4620 0 8 148 36 24 0096 Scott Taylor 2013 27/02/91 0210 0 4 0 2 1 0 0 4 Andy Thornley 2011 15 01/03/89 6 14 20 0 8 22 38 90 036 338 104 140 118 3 799

Goal Kickers Goals Attempts % TRY CREATORS Individual Pass Kick Other Total Martyn Ridyard 98 122 0.8 Martyn Ridyard 3 16 50 24 Ryan Brierley 13 0.33 Sean Penkywicz 10 930 22 Gregg McNally 19 24 0.79 Gregg McNally 4 11 30 18 Bob Beswick 01 0 Ryan Brierley 660012 Bob Beswick 390012 Totals 118 150 Simon Finnigan 064111 Sam Hopkins 52007 Matt Gardner 24006 TRY TRACKER After 17 games Tommy Goulden 06006 Jonny Pownall 12014 Try Tracker – For Try Tracker – Against Stuart Littler 03003 0-9 minutes 14 0-9 minutes 7 Anthony Nicholson 02103 10-19 minutes 13 10-19 minutes 15 Steve Maden 11013 20-29 minutes 15 20-29 minutes 9 Scott Taylor 11002 30 minutes – half-time 17 30 minutes – half-time 14 John O'Donnell 01001 40-49 minutes 13 40-49 minutes 12 Michael Ostick 10001 Ryan Duffy 10001 50-59 minutes 20 50-59 minutes 16 Thomas Coyle 01001 60-69 minutes 28 60-69 minutes 9 Greg Burke 01001 70 minutes – full-time 20 70 minutes – full-time 16 Anthony Bate 10001 140 98 Rhodri Lloyd 01001 39 82 16 3 140 All details correct as of 29/7/13.

24 THE CENTURION www.leighcenturions.com www.leighlife.com THE CENTURION 25 COME TO THE SWINTON GAME, PLAYER SUPPORT LEIGH CENTURIONS AND FIGHT HEART DISEASE! SPONSORS 2013 CENTURIONS PARTNER LOCAL CHARITY

Most sports fans will remember the against Swinton at LSV, Leigh Centurions A shock, to be most effective, must be distressing events in March 2012 and communications giant O2 are hosting delivered within the first 3-5 minutes when Bolton Wanderers footballer a promotional day which promises to be a following a victim’s collapse. The use of a 1 Gregg McNally 2 Steve Maden 3 Stuart Littler 4 Matt Gardner 5 Jon Pownall Patrice Muamba collapsed without great day out! A large part of the day will defibrillator within this time increases a Marstrut Padken Steel Erectors Professional Witnesses Williams & Co - Personal Grada UK warning and Wanderer’s medical be to promote the charity ’Hand on Heart' victim’s chance of survival from 6% to David Eckersley JMS Interiors Corlett Electrical Injury Solicitors LC Communications Engineering Co (1981) Ltd Dr. Doublet-Stewart staff and paramedics used CPR and On the day there will be a Samsung 74%. Target response times for ambulance defibrillation as Muamba, 23, fought demonstration bus with loads of services in the UK currently sit at 8 for his life on the pitch. communications wizardry on display. minutes – with only 73% of services However, as Centurions’ Rob Parker regularly meeting this time. This is why it is Entertainment on the stadium concourse imperative to have a defibrillator onsite to discovered, there is a similar threat facing will include live music with fire eaters, our local community. ensure a victim has a fighting chance of jugglers and stilt performers. This really survival. During the course of his community work does promise to be a fantastic day packed Rob has uncovered the following horrific with entertainment from start to finish. The death of anyone, regardless of age, leaves a void in the lives of his survivors. statistics:- During the game the Centurions will be 6 Martyn Ridyard 7 Ryan Brierley 8 Sam Hopkins 9 Bob Beswick 10 Rob Parker However, the death of a child, seemingly in Integrated Control Solutions Leigh Sports Village Co Styles & Co Taylor Drilling Services Hamilton Fabrications Ltd • 12 young people die from cardiac promoting several initiatives for the the prime of life, is very difficult for many Integrated Control Solutions LISA & H A England Engineers A B Sundecks Ask Platt Office Supplies Tuffnells arrest each week in the UK and 270 charity, including trade stalls outside the to accept. Ltd. per annum will die at school ground and a 'bucket' collection from the crowd at half time.The intention is to raise The impact on family, school, friends, and • Unfortunately 80% of these young the entire community is not easily people that die have no symptoms enough money to present a defibrillator to a local school on the pitch, and in front of overcome. Most adults, especially those • For every minute that a child is in the rugby spectators and local media. who are parents, place a high value on cardiac arrest without treatment, protecting the lives of children. Rob expects to raise enough money to their chance of survival drops by Since the start of 2013, Hand on Heart has 10%. fund one defibrillator and training ( £1450) for a local primary school, trained over 400 teaching staff how to use The only definitive treatment for a victim a defibrillator safely and promptly; 1500 11 Simon Finnigan 12 Tommy Goulden 13 Martin Aspinwall 14 Sean Penkywicz 15 Andy Thornley Hand on Heart Charity Ask Platt Office Supplies CDA Business Services Widdows Mason Solicitors Leigh Market Traders Association Ale House Leisure Ltd of cardiac arrest is CPR and an electric school children have received basic life CDA Business Services Intra Health Family Practice - LSV LISA Hamilton Fabrications Ltd shock from a life-saving defibrillator. In March 2010, Hand on Heart was support skills and each school has had a :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: established as a national campaign semi automatic defibrillator. Collectively to raise awareness of cardiac arrest these schools have just over 25,000 To try and combat this horrific statistic in the young and the need for pupils, who will now be protected in the most professional and amateur sports defibrillators in schools. unfortunate case of cardiac arrest. clubs now have defibrillators and provide training for people to use them. Hand on Heart is a non-profit organisation Schools are so important to everyday life and every penny received from donations, and having a defibrillator on the premises Sadly, however, funding is not readily fundraising and sponsorship goes directly may not just save the lives of the pupils available for defibrillators in schools. to putting defibrillators and training into and staff, but also the parents, volunteers Rob has decided that Leigh Centurions schools across the UK. and residents within local community. 16 Craig Briscoe 17 Tommy Coyle 18 Anthony Nicholson 19 Michael Ostick 20 James Taylor L.I.S.A. Greenheart Regional Park AVAILABLE AVAILABLE AVAILABLE will join the fight against heart disease Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) claims the Working with Hand on Heart and the local In Memory of Terry Wilcock Project AVAILABLE AVAILABLE Katie Williams and has partnered the club with local lives of over 200 people a week in the UK, community, Leigh Centurions will choose a Edmundson Electrical charity “Hand on Heart” yet there is no mandatory need for local school (and possibly schools) to The aims of 'Hand on Heart' are clear:- defibrillators in public places or schools. support. • Raise awareness of cardiac arrest in Cardiac arrest is a relatively unknown Centurions believe that charity begins at the young. killer, yet it claims the lives of more people home and think it is an amazing • Fund defibrillators for schools. than breast cancer, lung cancer and AIDS achievement for any organisation to combined. The only definitive treatment for protect the lives of those around them. • Educate children how to perform a victim of cardiac arrest is CPR and an You can also see where your money is basic life support and save lives. electric shock from a life-saving going and be safe in the thought that your 21 Ryan Duffy 22 Adam Higson 23 Chris Rowe On the 4th August, at our derby match defibrillator. support will benefit those closest to you. AVAILABLE AVAILABLE AVAILABLE Trophy Engraving Wigan AVAILABLE L.I.S.A.

26 THE CENTURION www.leighcenturions.com www.leighlife.com THE CENTURION 27 TOUCHDOWN CLUB By ALAN PLATT NORTHERN RAIL Cup Touchdown Corporate Final Gold Members 2013 The Touchdown Club would like Company Contact Tel to thank all fans who supported JAMES ‘QS’ LIMITED IAN JAMES 07831 412960 our efforts at the Northern Rail Cup Final. ASTLEY HIRE COMPANY STEVE DORRICOTT 01942 608822 We have had numerous calls, with BURLINGTON BUILDERS LTD PAUL SUMNER 07774 920854 excellent feedback, to say what a GRADA (UK) LTD PHIL OWEN 07967 049966 great day it was. HIRE ‘N’ HIRE KEITH STACEY 01942 676406 May we add our congratulations to TOPPING PARTNERSHIP PETER BENTHAM 07771 581115 our coach Paul Rowley, and his brilliant team on and off the field. EUROSCREEN LIMITED CHRIS GARFIN 01942 673333 The Touchdown Club is growing in CS CIVILS AND GROUNDWORK STEVE OPENSHAW 07805 056625 membership and popularity, as we ASK PLATT OFFICE SUPPLIES LTD ALAN PLATT 07774 756223 look forward to the remainder of PROFESSOR AND MRS BARRIE DALE BARRIE DALE 01204 882977 the season, hopefully seeing the team reach and win the IMPACT INSURANCE LTD MOIRA GRIFFITHS 01204 848481 Championship Grand Final at the GLOBAL SURVEY EQUIPMENT MATTHEW 01942 896244 LSV. COLLINS & DARWELL CHRIS TRAVERS 01942 673166 Anyone still wishing to join up with us can contact Alan Platt on WATERFIELDS BAKERY RICHARD WATERFIELD 01942 740000 07774 756223.

LISA NEWS From LYNDA PIKE

Hi everyone, Lynda here. p.m, the Boars Head at 4:50 p.m., and Atherton at Next LISA Meeting – A date for the next meeting will 5:00 p.m. Please don’t be late, because the coach will be announced soon. Watch the Club website, and be on a tight schedule, and can’t wait. ‘Leythers’ message board for details. The date will The Northern Rail Cup Final – I would just like to pass also be announced at the Whitehaven home game. a huge thank you, to all the fans who travelled to Travel To Sheffield - Don’t like the Northern Halifax, by coach, for the Northern Rail Cup Final. An motorway network on Friday evenings? Why drive to amazing day was made even better, by the superb Sheffield, when the coach can take the strain? behaviour of all who travelled on the twenty-plus coaches. Well done, one and all, from a really proud LISA will be running a coach to the Sheffield game, Leyther! next Friday, 9th August. Tickets are already on sale, at the club retail outlet, in the Market Hall. Prices are Lynda. £10.50 for LISA members, and £12.50 for non- (Editor – and a huge vote of thanks to Lynda and her members. helpers, for their superb organisation on the day.) The coach will depart from the Sports Village at 4:45

28 THE CENTURION www.leighcenturions.com 30 THE CENTURION www.leighcenturions.com Junior Centurions with SHARON DILLON The Summertime Event BLOOMING MISTAKE The Junior Centurions Team would like to thank the following people who helped to make the Junior Summertime Event a huge success:- HE Northern Rail Cup final was The governing body will doubtless point to the fact that it was the T staged away from Blackpool for Championship clubs themselves that made this decision, based, as • Garry Rhoden at G R Disco's the first time since 2004, a couple of usual on finances. But at some stage the RFL needs to stand up, be • LSV weeks ago – but was it a mistake? accountable, and make decisions such as these for the overall good of the game, rather than allowing clubs to make them, and then • Corinna Ridge & Chelsey Tickle and all the dancers in The Infusion Dance Academy deflecting any criticism when they don’t work. Scrapping the Super • Charlotte Hopley as Katy Perry Tribute Act League under-20s is another prime example of that. • Holland's Pies By taking the Northern Rail Cup final away from a neutral venue, we are losing a sense of occasion – a fact pointed out by several • Lisa Finnigan@ prettyprincesscupcakes for providing us with her superb cupcakes supporters on Twitter after the game, including many who attended. • ASK Platt for doing all our posters and leaflets Leigh and Sheffield fans already have the chance to visit Halifax each • Centurions Retail and Ticket Office for helping to sell tickets for the event season – having a final there (or at Leigh, Doncaster or anywhere else for that matter), adds nothing to the event. • Tracey Fletcher and Sarah Cargill for selling a huge amount of raffle tickets on the night and all those who donated prizes for the raffle. • Finally last but not least to you, the Junior members, family and friends who came along to support the event on what was a fantastic night.

Tom Spencer shows his delight at scoring the try that started the late Junior Centurions avalanche of points for Leigh July App Birthdays Below are scanning Despite having four clubs playing on the day (and Crusaders in codes which activate the particular brought an impressive following for the additional and Happy July birthdays to the Junior Centurion App enjoyable Bowl game), the switch to Halifax’s the Shay saw an attendance of just 4,179. following Junior Centurions for android & iphone. Tommy Goulden scorches through the Sheffield defence to set up the That was significantly down on last year’s figure of 6,691 when decisive try for Ryan Brierley. Imani Fletcher was eight on 17th July Kyle Greenwood was nine on 16th July Halifax met Featherstone at Bloomfield Road – and less than half the competition high of 9,400 from 2005, the first time it was played in William Sculthorp e was thirteen on 15th July Lyndon Cargill-James was five on 16th July Blackpool. In Rugby League at present, we seem to be masters of downplaying Eve Travers was thirteen on 23rd July Oliver Rowley some of our showpiece events, thinking small instead of having The lowest crowd on the west coast came in 2008, when 6,328 ambition and giving people a reason to attend our big matches. Ethan Mee was six on 18th July was six on watched Salford thrash Doncaster. 16th July Blackpool isn’t perfect, of course, but it offers supporters of all clubs James Barlow was nine on 1st July Alex Rowley When the move away from Blackpool was announced earlier this year, the prospect of a weekend away on the coast; an occasion away from Elloise McDonough was four on 15th July was six on Android costing was one of the main reasons for the switch. I wonder if the the norm of league fixtures. It provided a date on the calendar that Janna Martin was nine on 27th July 16th July additional cost was the equivalent of the missing 2,512 paying fans could look spectators? Ava Grehan was four on 21st July Sammy Edge forward to, as soon as Another reason was the fact that Bloomfield Road did not have four the fixtures were Keeley Sandland was twelve on 27th July was seven on 30th July changing rooms to accommodate the new “finals day” approach to released, a proper cup Anya Buxton was three on 2nd July Stevie Quinn the competition. But neither did the Shay, it turned out, at least not final and day out for Kiera Martin was nine on 27th July was eleven four suitable changing rooms. Sheffield’s Mark Aston was furious – supporters at this level, Happy birthday to before the game – that his side could not enter their dressing room their own mini Amelia Sculthorpe was eight on 16th July on 27th July Sammy Edge Wembley. iPhone until much later than he would have liked, due to using them first. I wonder how many And we also had the less than desirable situation of the two teams people booked a entering the field for a final from opposite sides of the ground. weekend in Halifax www.leighcenturions.co.uk for more info for this year’s Young Anthony Bate pounces to score a Is there nobody that checks these kinds of scenarios before they play crucial try on the stroke of half time. Join us for free today and don’t miss out! out? game?

We would like to thank our official sponsors for the Junior Centurions, ASK Platt, Atico Hair Studio, Matrix Tax and C & S Tyres UK Ltd.

32 THE CENTURION www.leighcenturions.com www.leighlife.com THE CENTURION 33 FIXTURES AND R ESULTS 2013

Key: CHAMP = Championship; TCC = Tetley's Challenge Cup; NRC = Northern Rail Cup

Date Opposition Comp Result Score Full Back Wing Centre Centre Wing Stand Off Scrum Half Prop Hooker Prop 2nd Row 2nd Row Loose Fwd Substitute Substitute Substitute Substitute Referee Penalties Attendance February Sun 3rd CHAMP Lost 6 - 38 McNally Maden Littler Gardner Pownall Ridyard - 1T, 1G Beswick Ostick Penkywicz Spencer Finnigan Thornley Aspinwall Brierley Hopkins Parker Briscoe Alibert 12 - 10 2841 Sun 10th HUNSLET HAWKS CHAMP Won 40 - 0 McNally Maden Littler Gardner - 1T Pownall Ridyard - 1T, 6G Beswick Ostick - 1T Penkywicz - 1T Parker Finnigan Goulden Hopkins - 2T Brierley - 1T Aspinwall Taylor Spencer Leatherbarrow 6 - 8 1419 Thu 14th Whitehaven CHAMP Won 28 - 14 McNally - 1T Maden Littler Gardner Pownall Ridyard - 1T, 4G Beswick Ostick Penkywicz - 1T Parker Finnigan - 1T Goulden - 1T Aspinwall Brierley Hopkins Taylor Spencer Thomason 6 - 12 763 Sun 24th DONCASTER CHAMP Won 34 - 8 McNally Maden Littler O'Donnell Pownall - 1T Ridyard - 4G Brierley - 1T, 1G Spencer Beswick Parker Finnigan - 3T Goulden Aspinwall Penkywicz - 1T Briscoe Hopkins Duffy Stokes 12 - 9 1522 March Sun 3rd Keighley Cougars CHAMP Won 46 - 16 McNally Maden - 1T Littler Gardner - 1T Pownall Ridyard - 7G Brierley - 3T Taylor Beswick Spencer Finnigan Goulden - 1T Hopkins Penkywicz Duffy - 1T Briscoe - 1T Ostick Laughton 12 - 9 859 Fri 8th SHEFFIELD EAGLES CHAMP Lost 18 - 40 McNally Maden Littler Gardner Pownall Ridyard - 3G Brierley Taylor Beswick Parker Finnigan Goulden Hopkins - 1T Penkywicz Duffy - 2T Spencer Briscoe Stokes 7 - 8 1581 Sun 17th Dewsbury Rams CHAMP Won 36 - 6 Brierley Maden Littler Gardner - 1T Pownall - 1T Ridyard - 1T, 6G Beswick Ostick Penkywicz - 2T Parker Finnigan Goulden Duffy O'Donnell Thornley Hopkins Taylor -1T Thomason 19 - 12 935 Thu 21st CHAMP Won 42 - 30 McNally - 1T Maden Littler Gardner Pownall Ridyard - 1T, 7G Beswick - 1T Duffy Penkywicz Parker Finnigan Goulden Ostick Brierley - 1T Hopkins - 2T Taylor Thornley - 1T Hewer 11 - 9 1290 Fri 29th Swinton Lions CHAMP Won 20 - 12 McNally - 1T Maden Littler Gardner - 2T O'Donnell Ridyard - 1T, 2G Beswick Ostick Penkywicz Parker Finnigan Goulden Aspinwall Brierley Hopkins Duffy Thornley Alibert 6 - 7 1172 April Mon 1st WORKINGTON TOWN CHAMP Won 42 - 22 McNally - 1T Maden Littler Gardner O'Donnell - 1T Ridyard - 7G Brierley Taylor - 1T Beswick - 1T Parker Finnigan Goulden - 1T Aspinwall Penkywicz Thornley Hopkins - 1T Ostick - 1T Thomason 13 - 9 1446 Sat 6th EAST LEEDS TCC3 Won 50 - 4 Brierley - 2T Maden - 1T Littler - 1T Gardner - 2T O'Donnell - 1T Ridyard - 5G Coyle Ostick - 1T Penkywicz - 1T Taylor Finnigan Bate Parker Parker Finnigan Thornley Higson - 1T Campbell 7 - 7 728 Sun 14th Halifax CHAMP Lost 10 - 60 McNally Maden Littler Gardner Pownall Ridyard - 1G Beswick Spencer Penkywicz - 1T Parker Finnigan Briscoe Hopkins Brierley - 1T Ostick Thornley Taylor Leatherbarrow 3 - 7 2161 Sun 21st TCC4 Lost 10 - 60 McNally - 1T Maden Littler Gardner O'Donnell Ridyard - 1G Brierley Ostick Beswick Parker - 1T Finnigan Briscoe Hopkins Penkywicz Duffy Thornley Taylor Thomason 5 - 11 6889 Sun 28th CHAMP Won 20 - 0 McNally O'Donnell Littler Gardner - 1T Hill Ridyard - 4G Brierley - 1T Ostick Beswick Parker Lloyd Briscoe Hopkins - 1T Nicholson Thornley Spencer Duffy Thomason 8 - 9 1635 May Sun 5th CHAMP Won 52 - 4 McNally Maden - 1T Littler Gardner Hill Ridyard - 8G Brierley - 3T Ostick Beswick Parker Finnigan - 1T Thornley Hopkins - 1T Penkywicz - 1T Spencer - 1T Goulden - 1T Duffy Brooke 6 - 8 709 Sun 19th Featherstone Rovers NRC Won 22 - 12 McNally Maden Littler Gardner - 1T Pownall - 1T Ridyard - 1T, 3G Brierley - 1T Ostick Beswick Ostick Finnigan Thornley Hopkins Penkywicz S. Taylor Goulden Duffy Thomason 4 - 7 1745 Sun 26th KEIGHLEY COUGARS CHAMP Won 62 - 12 Pownall - 3T Maden - 1T Littler Lloyd Gardner McNally - 4T, 9G Beswick - 1T Ostick Penkywicz Burke Finnigan Goulden Hopkins Nicholson - 1T Briscoe S. Taylor - 1T Duffy Hewer 11 - 5 1551 June Sat 1st FEATHERSTONE R CHAMP Lost 8 - 23 Pownall Maden Littler Hughes Gardner McNally - 2G Nicholson Spencer Beswick Briscoe Finnigan Thornley Hopkins Penkywicz Goulden Crosby Duffy-1T Stokes 13 - 9 2077 Sun 9th Workington Town CHAMP Lost 22 - 26 Pownall Maden - 1T Littler Lloyd Gardner McNally -3G Beswick Ostick Penkywicz Spencer Finnigan - 3T Goulden Hopkins Nicholson Thornley Briscoe Duffy Turley 9 - 8 725 Sun 16th WHITEHAVEN NRC QF Won 34 - 18 McNally -5G Maden Littler Gardner Pownall - 3T Coyle Beswick Ostick Penkywicz - 1T Spencer Finnigan - 1T Goulden Hopkins - 1T Nicholson Thornley Bate Duffy Leahy 12 - 12 1320 Sun 23rd YORK CITY KNIGHTS CHAMP Won 42 - 20 McNally - 1T Maden - 2T Littler - 1T Gardner Pownall - 1T Ridyard - 5G Nicholson Ostick Penkywicz Bate - 1T Finnigan -1T Goulden - 1T Hopkins Penkywicz Thornley Bullock Duffy Thomason 6 - 7 1373 Thu 27th BATLEY BULLDOGS NRC SF Won 23 - 6 McNally Maden Littler Gardner - 1T Pownall Ridyard - 3G, 1D Brierley - 3T Ostick Beswick Bate - 1T Finnigan Goulden Hopkins Penkywicz Thornley Spencer Duffy Leahy 6 - 5 1807 JuLY Sun 7th Doncaster CHAMP Won 36 - 30 McNally - 1T Maden - 1T Littler Gardner - 1T Pownall - 1T Ridyard - 6G Brierley Ostick Beswick - 1T Burke Finnigan Goulden Hopkins - 1T Nicholson Spencer Thornley Bullock Laughton 3 - 6 595 Sun 14th Barrow Raiders CHAMP Won 34 - 22 McNally Pitman Littler - 1T Higson - 1T Pownall Ridyard - 5G Brierley - 1T Ostick Penkywicz Parker - 1T Thornley Goulden - 1T Hopkins Nicholson Spencer - 1T Bate Duffy Hewer 9 - 6 972 Sat 20th Sheffield Eagles NRC F Won 43 - 28 McNally Maden Littler - 2T Gardner Pownall Ridyard - 7G Brierley - 1T, 1D Ostick Beswick Spencer - 1T Finnigan Goulden - 1T Hopkins Penkywicz - 1T Thornley Parker Bate - 1T Leatherbarrow 8 - 6 4179 Sun 28th Hunslet Hawks CHAMP Won 19 - 12 McNally Maden Littler Gardner Pownall -T) Ridyard - 3G) Brierley (1DG) Ostick Beswick Parker Thornley (1T) Burke Briscoe Penkywicz Spencer - 1T Duffy Hewer 12 - 6 432 Wed 31st HALIFAX CHAMP August Sun 4th SWINTON LIONS CHAMP Fri 9th Sheffield Eagles CHAMP Sun 18th WHITEHAVEN CHAMP Thu 22nd Batley Bulldogs CHAMP September Sun 1st DEWSBURY RAMS CHAMP

34 THE CENTURION www.leighcenturions.com www.leighlife.com THE CENTURION 35 SWINTON LIONS HEAD COACH - SQUAD - 2013 GARY CHAMBERS

No NAME No NAME

1 Richard Hawkyard 21 Glenn Riley 2 Andy Ballard 22 Gene Ormsby 3 Martin Ainscough 23 Jordan Burke 4 Sam Reay 24 James Saltonstall 5 Kevin Penny 25 James Laithwaite 6 Chaz IAnson 26 Rhys Evans 7 Ian Watson 27 Tyrone McCarthy 8 David Mills 28 Samir Tarhaoui 9 Mark Smith 29 Mark Thomas 10 Neil Holland 30 Jack Cooper 11 Chris Clarke 31 Matt Sarsfield 12 Darren Hawkyard 32 Craig Harvey 13 Josh Barlow 14 Liam Hulme 15 Kash Watkins 16 Dan Birkett

17 Ryan Shaw Referee: J BLOEM 18 Jack Morrison Touch Judges: D Griffiths, C Etchells 19 James Mendeika Reserve: C Braithwaite 20 Danny Bridge

IAN WATSON JAMES LAITHWAITE KEVIN PENNY

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