I'd like to think that Leigh's performance in this game will not define our season. It was poor. In my view even poorer than last week's performance.
Yet, we won again against dogged opponents who had a bit more about them than last week, and yes, Bongser, Referee Farrell was at it again. All he needed was a different coloured shirt and a whistle. This time he was ably assisted by that nuisance that is Thackery, and, by virtually every other of his team mates. They were all at it. It felt like there were 14 refs on the pitch all at once. Every decision made by the Ronseal sponsored ref was greeted with clear remonstration by one or more of the Eagles.
But, back to Leigh. If we play like that in the Cup final, and I'm about to book my ticket, then we will lose comfortably to Fev.
Plus points, we won and our defence is better than i think i have ever seen it. Their try was a flook, the result of a ridiculous bounce of the ball following a chip in to space behind our defensive line. Aekins had no hope of anticipating the bounce and they followed up and scored.
This kind of try is following Leigh around. The Eagles only try last week seemed to follow a knock on that everyone in the north stand saw but not the ref. Widnes' try against us was another unscripted richochet.
So, our defence is again good, and it had to be when we went down to 12 right at the end of the 1st half today when Edwin got sin binned. This kind of defensive organisation will hopefully keep us in the games against Fev. We may lose to them but i cannot see them running away with the game again, as they did at their patch in February.
Big Ben had a solid enough first outing. He is big and looks rangy and athletic. He looks like he will be fine.
Dare i mention our half backs today! Mellor was rusty, possibly still not fully recovered. Reynolds had a quiet game and simply did not impose himself on the opposition. I have to admit that as much as i want him to be really good for Leigh that he was again disappointing and it happens too often in games. We need a really good half back and I have reluctantly now come to the conclusion that it is not going to be Ben. Reinforcements required please DB.
Other big plus point, Inu's kicking at goal. The man hardly ever misses. In what could be close games against Fev Inu's kicking could be all the difference.
