30 July 2022

Leigh Centurions extended their lead at the top of the Championship following a dominant 46-16 victory over promotion-chasing rivals Featherstone Rovers. John Asiata opened the scoring for the Centurions just six minutes in thanks to a pass from team-mate Adam Sidlow. Former NRL player Blake Ferguson sliced through the defensive line soon after, before going on to assist full-back Caleb Aekins for his first of the evening. Substitute Edwin Ipape scored a crucial try on 33 minutes, flying over thanks to an offload from Sidlow close to the line. Featherstone came back into the game before half-time for a 24-10 score, with Connor Jones scoring, while Joey Leilua scored their first. There was a superb battle of the hookers between Featherstone’s Jones and Leigh’s Ipape. However, Papua New Guinea international Ipape looks to be leading the way for the title of the best hooker outside the top division. 

Aekins scored his second on 47 minutes and Leigh continued their scoring through Ed Chamberlain, Sam Stone, Joe Wardle and Lachlan Lam. Powerful forward Sam Eseh scored Featherstone’s only try in the second 40, and was arguably the only player who stood out for Featherstone. The Wakefield youngster, currently on loan to the Championship outfit, assisted the second try and crashed over for the club’s only four-pointer of the second half. Nene Macdonald and Tyla Hepi will find themselves in trouble at this week’s disciplinary. Both players were sent from the field in the first half for throwing punches and will no doubt face a lengthy ban in a crucial period of the season.