Featherstone Rovers 16-30 Leigh Centurions: Highlights, player ratings and talking points

Featherstone Rovers took on Leigh Centurions in a highly entertaining affair at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Both sides were locked at 12 apiece at half-time following some rip-roaring action in the first-half.

But, Leigh came out a different animal in the second forty minutes and ended up registering an impressive 30-16 victory.

Highlights

Krisnan Inu rose highest to catch a superb kick and dot down in the first-half.

Edwin Ipape’s lovely step for his try was a joy to watch.

Talking points

1. Penalty-a-thon

People were watching a superb game between two Championship heavyweights, but there were so many penalties that it often seemed stop-start as players, fans and viewers got frustrated.

2. Ipape the man

How good did this man look today? Aaron Smith started the game for Leigh, but a head knock forced him off and on came Papua New Guinea star Edwin Ipape at hooker. It was a real turning point in the clash with the number nine enjoying a stellar performance, with his brilliant sidestep and try putting daylight between the teams in the second-half.

3. Featherstone shut down

Leigh were superb in defence and kept Featherstone out on numerous occasions. Add into that brilliant games from pivots Ben Reynolds and Joe Mellor and the Centurions were well worth their win.

Player ratings

Featherstone Rovers
28 Mark Kheirallah – 8
2 Luke Briscoe – 6
3 Joey Leilua – 6
17 Ben Hellewell – 6
4 Craig Hall – 8
20 Morgan Smith – 7
27 Ryley Jacks – 7
8 Craig Kopczak – 6
14 Matty Wildie – 7
10 James Lockwood – 6
13 Jack Bussey – 7
12 Jesse Sene-Lefao – 7
16 Junior Moors – 7
Substitutes
11 Brett Ferres – 5
15 John Davies – 6
21 Luke Cooper – 6
29 Johnathon Ford – 5

Leigh Centurions
1 Caleb Aekins – 9
26 Blake Ferguson – 7
16 Ed Chamberlain – 7
4 Nene MacDonald – 8
23 Krisnan Inu – 8
6 Ben Reynolds – 8
7 Joe Mellor – 8
8 Adam Sidlow – 8
9 Aaron Smith – 7
13 Tom Amone – 8
12 Sam Stone – 7
11 Joe Wardle – 7
18 John Asiata – 8
Substitutes
10 Mark Ioane – 7
21 Edwin Ipape – 9
24 Kai O’Donnell – 6
25 Ben Nakubuwai – 6