LEIGH CENTURIONS v DEWSBURY RAMS SUNDAY 1ST SEPTEMBER 2013 AT LEIGH SPORTS VILLAGE Kick Off 3:00pm

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1 PRICE 2.50 KINGSTONE PRESS CHAMPIONSHIP LEIGH CENTURIONS v DEWSBURY RAMS SUNDAY 1ST SEPTEMBER 2013 AT LEIGH SPORTS VILLAGE Kick Off 3:00pm Main Match Sponsor Match Ball Sponsor

2 WHO S WHO At Leigh Centurions Hon Life President Mr Tommy Sale MBE Hon Vice President Mr Andy Burnham MP Hon Life Members Mr Brian Bowman Mr Tommy Coleman Mr Frank Taylor Supervisory Board Chairman: Mr John Roddy Operations Director: Mr Allan Mazey Board Of Management Mr Michael Norris Mr Derek Beaumont Mr Andy Mazey Mr Alan Platt Mr Steve Openshaw Mr Neil Wilcock Ms Jackie Mottershead Mr Trevor Barton MBE Company Secretary Mr John Massey First Team Coach Mr Paul Rowley Assistant Coach Mr Neil Jukes Under 20's Coach Mr Paul Anderson Under 18's Training Squad Coaches Mr Bob Beswick Mr Stuart Littler Junior Elite Training Squad Coaches Mr Simon Knox Mr Tim Hartley Mr Martin Ellis Physiotherapists Jo Seddon Steve Blakeley Club Ambassador Mr Alex Murphy OBE Business Manager Rob Parker Lottery Manager Ms Christine Brown Lottery Co-ordinator Mr Jonathan Simpkin Finance Manager Ms Jane Smith Webmaster & Ticket Sales Mr Andrew Parkinson Club Accountants Styles & Co Hon Programme Editor Mr Alan Edge CLUB CONTACTS Telephone: General Enquiries enquiries@leighrl.co.uk HONOURS Championship Winners: Division One Champions: Division Two Champions: , , Challenge Cup Winners: , Lancashire Cup Winners: , , , BBC2 Floodlit Trophy: , Promotion To Top Division achieved (Not as Champions): , , Other Promotion season: 1997 (Division 3 to Division 2) Northern Ford Minor Premiership Winners: 2001 Trans-Pennine Cup Winners: 2001 Arriva Trains Cup Winners: 2004 LHF National League 1 Champions: 2004 LHF National League 1 Grand Final Winners: 2004 Northern Rail Cup Winners: 2006, 2011, 2013 Facebook: Twitter: twitter.com/leighcenturions or tweet NEXT UP AT LSV Kingstone Press Championship Play-Offs If we finish 3rd or 4th, we will play away in Week 1 Should we lose in Week 1, we will be at home in Week 2 to be played between Friday 13th and Sunday 15th September If we win in Week 1, we will be at home in Week 3 to be played between Thursday 19th and Sunday 22nd September Watch the press and club/fans websites for details All to pay CLUB RECORDS Biggest Victory: 92-2 vs Keighley (1986) Biggest Defeat: 4-94 vs Workington Town (1995) Highest Home Attendance: 31,326 vs St Helens (1953) Lowest Post War Home Attendance: 451 vs Hull (1975) Most Tries in a game: Jack Wood 6 v York (1947), Neil Turley 6 v Workington Town (2001) Most Goals in a game: Mick Stacey 15 vs Doncaster (1976) Most Points in a game: Neil Turley 42 vs Chorley (2004) Most Tries in a season: Neil Turley 55 (2001) Most Goals in a season: Neil Turley 187 (2004) Most Points in a season: Neil Turley 468 (2004) Most Tries in a career: Mick Martyn 189 ( ) Most Goals in a career: Jimmy Ledgard 1043 ( ) Most Points in a career: John Woods 2492 ( , ) Most Appearances: Albert Worrall 503 ( ) FROM THE EDITOR By ALAN EDGE Today s Visitors This afternoon we bid a warm Leyther welcome to the players, officials and supporters of Dewsbury Rams, for the final Kingstone Press Championship league fixture of the season. At the time of writing, Dewsbury occupy seventh place in the Championship table and should, barring a freak set of results, be taking part in the end of season play-offs. That should be viewed as a major achievement of new coach Glenn Morrison, who has invested in a number of youthful signings, to complement a few experienced signings. We are delighted to welcome back, former Leigh forwards, Tommy Gallagher, and Steve Nash, in Dewsbury colours. Whilst Dewsbury s victories have (so far!) all been against teams below them in the table, it is well worth noting that they have picked up bonus points against Sheffield, Featherstone and Batley, in addition to dumping Halifax out of the Northern Rail Cup, so Paul and the boys will need to be at their best today, to gain the victory that would ensure fourth place in the table. In keeping with virtually all our visitors this season, (and ourselves) Dewsbury s home gates have shown a drastic reduction on last season s. Their average home Championship crowd has been 828, compared with 1,134 in 2012 a reduction of 27% - despite finishing outside the play-off spots last season. Jy-Mel Coleman Highly talented Rams half-back Jy-Mel Coleman was one of coach Glenn Morrison s first signings this season, from Keighley. The former Leeds Met. Student has, despite only being in the professional game for two years, built up a strong reputation based on his ability to find gaps, and his astute kicking game. Unfortunately, at the end of July, Jy-Mel collapsed at a training session, and spent a week in Dewsbury and District Hospital, undergoing tests to determine the cause of his collapse. He is under strict instructions not to over exert himself for six months, and is undergoing a strictly monitored recovery process. Everyone at the Leigh club would like to extend their best wishes to Jy-Mel for a swift and full recovery. The Play-Offs We will not know, until after today s final round of matches, who our play-off opponents will be next week. Should we be fortunate enough today, to secure the one point necessary to keep Batley in fifth place, we will be away to either Featherstone or Sheffield in week one. What happens after that is explained in my Flat Cap feature, on page 12 of this magazine. Although it is a huge ask of the team, they have already shown that they are capable of beating the three teams above us in the table, and wouldn t it be a great occasion to take part in a Grand Final, at our own stadium? Of course, there is just the small matter of doing something that we haven t achieved since 2004 namely, actually winning a play-off game! Prize money is allocated to the participating clubs, as follows: - Championship leaders - 25,000; Grand Final winners - 50,000; Grand Final Runners up - 30,000; 3rd place (after play-offs) - 12,000; 4th place - 10,000; 5th place - 6,000; 6th place - 4,000; 7th place - 2,000; 8th place - 1,000. The Whitehaven Game In our previous home fixture, the 44-6 defeat of Whitehaven, our backs all registered tries. One of the features of this season is how the tries have been shared out among the team. Nevertheless, it is somewhat unusual to see the backs score all eight tries, and for each one of them to score. Stuart Littler was the greedy back who scored twice. The North Leigh Park Group For the Swinton and Whitehaven home games, we received information from North Leigh Park Group too late to publish in the programme. Their guests at the Swinton game were the Wigan, Leigh & District Society for the Blind, who are a small charity working to help blind and partially sighted people lead full lives in the local area. The charity is looking for help with collections; If you can help, please visit Guests at the Whitehaven game were Cadence Cafe CIC. Cadence Cafe offers an oasis for young people interested in the arts, who cannot usually access them, to nurture young talent across Wigan and Leigh. The cafe are undertaking two six month courses for young people to get training in music and film production; to find out more, please visit Today s Mascot Today s mascot is Corey Mather, Corey is seven years old and attends Leigh CE Junior School

3 FROM THE TOP By Chairman JOHN RODDY Icannot believe how fast this season has gone; it really does seem like only a few months since I was studying the fixtures for the 2013 season and wondering, probably like yourselves, what the season would hold for us. Here we are end of season, Northern Rail Cup Champions, securing a place in the Play Offs, changes in management, a more positive cash flow and a feel of real optimism around the club. Things are moving very quickly, particularly on the commercial front, and during this week the Board of Management have met to finalise our plans to improve our financial performance further and to enhance our performance in respect of existing and new revenue streams. We have taken into consideration our plans for the 2014 season and how we progress during 2015 into the new league structure. Our plans will be announced very shortly and I really do believe that all our supporters will recognise from them, both our firm intentions to improve the capabilities of the club and how each and every one of you, can become involved in our objectives and to be part of the team. Trevor Barton MBE May I take this opportunity to again welcome Trevor to our Board of Management. We are delighted that Trevor has agreed to join us. Trevor's appointment is key to our Club for many reasons - firstly for his sterling work with the Leigh Centurions Community Foundation (and I really do recommend that you look into the foundations work and achievements) and secondly for Trevor's excellent relationships with so many individuals, groups and associations connected with Rugby League and our local community. Our supporters really do need to appreciate that whilst Paul Rowley looks to build his very best team to deal with the playing demands, it s my job to build the strongest team possible to ensure that we can support Paul, and for us to achieve the very best results at the end of the 2014 season. As part of my review, I have recognised that it is vital that the RFL recognise Leigh Centurions strengths as a club financially, its resources, and the passion of our supporters. Trevor will work with me to achieve this and I cannot think of a better person to take on this challenge. We have much to do in this area and our progress during the following months I am sure will become apparent during the next few months. Rob Parker For those who join us after the game in our Banqueting suite, you will see Rob hosting the event and introducing individual presentations, including new sponsors, and coordinating individual presentations. I just wanted to take this opportunity to congratulate Rob; I think he has really found his feet in his role of Business Manager and is now identifying and forging new relationships with sponsors who see the benefit of partnering Leigh Centurions - Well done Rob, excellent work. Enjoy today s game everybody, I expect this will be a tough encounter with Dewsbury Rams; we really do need you to be very loud and supporting the team today! Many thanks, John John Roddy Club Chairman, Leigh Centurions RLFC Trevor Barton - welcome to the BOM Rob Parker - an excellent matchday host 4

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6 PAUL S PAGE PAUL ROWLEY TALKS TO DAVE PARKINSON Head coach Paul Rowley chats to Dave Parkinson about wins, losses, referees, schedules and Friday nights in his latest page. It was a return to winning ways against Whitehaven where it was comprehensive in the end but didn t look that way at half time? Games aren t won at half-time; it s an eighty minute game. We recognised they were a bit light on the forwards front and we saw that and wore them down. We had a lot of patience to our game in that second half and some of our execution was phenomenal. We were able to fix up what wasn t quite happening for us at halftime and earned a good victory. Our ruck recognition in the first half was poor and we were eager to please and probably felt the frustration of the crowd because the ruck was slow and the game a bit stop-start. We tried to play off those slow rucks and you can t do that, but, when we were patient we kept banging on the door. We knew that quick play would come and we were smart enough and in shape, ready to play. We are committed and we saw the fruits of our labour in the last twenty or thirty minutes Paul the side lost out narrowly last week. I thought it was a really good game and a top class finish, despite not favouring Leigh. I didn t enjoy the game at all. Again I thought we tried really hard but we gifted away some really silly penalties, some bad errors and executed pretty poorly. There were some bad decisions from us, from the referee and it all ended up with the result that it did. Batley were going down and time-wasting with twenty minutes to go, but that showed what it meant to them, with the way they celebrated at the end of the game. For us it s about what comes next. We played tough but there are certainly lessons to be learned and there will be some harsh review. It would be easy to blame other things, but at the end of the day it all comes down to what we do and we had enough ball and enough territory; we just weren t as smart as we could have been. As always the players gave 100 per cent in a tough game. Batley are a huge side and I m not meaning to be disrespectful to them in any way. When you pick the bones out of the game, I don t think either side was great. It happened last time but we won; we failed to control their back three, and they were unbelievable, fantastic. What about preparation for Dewsbury? It s a really, really big week. Dewsbury are another tough outfit and we need to be hitting form for the play-offs. Dewsbury are still fighting for a home draw and it s no different for us business as normal. We are looking forward to having a vociferous set of fans behind us to be honest. I certainly think Batley got the rub of the green there and I certainly think when the crowd is behind us, it can be influential. We are hoping our fans are right behind us. Talking of preparation and game schedules, what are your thoughts? Last year if we d played on a Thursday, we usually brought the lads in on Saturday for some activity. The schedule has been so intense this year that any Thursday games have been followed by days off until the following Tuesday. With the big occasions like Wembley, to then try and force an extra fixture in there is a bit ridiculous. We ve had a tough schedule but Workington Town s schedule of late has been ridiculous. When there is such an emphasis on player welfare, it always comes across as pretty shallow, because the actions don t back up their (the RFL) words. The welfare is heavily weighted on Super League players and not Championship, when really it should be the Championship players under most consideration; they balance work, playing and life as well. They ve been very neglected I ve thought, especially this year. If you look at Thursdays straight away it s a day or half a day off in going to the game and an extra day after because you are arriving home late. The referee from Thursday s game at Batley told me he d come off a ten hour shift, so it also affects what referees are doing as well. What I will say about games in the week is that it s a huge advantage to the home sides, and I suppose that s why personally I enjoyed the Friday night games from our point of view last season. I am an advocate of Friday nights or Saturday kick-offs, although I realise that may be unpopular with our older fans. I think it brings success on the field. For example, Sheffield haven t lost a game at home all season when played on a Friday night. Food for thought as always Paul! Batley s back three in fantastic form last week. Greg Johnson Johnny Campbell Miles Greenwood 11

7 A VIEW FROM UNDER A FLAT CAP By ALAN EDGE Views expressed in this article are not necessarily those of the Leigh Centurions club, or its Directors! I do my best to avoid mysteries and any kind of complications. I like everything around me to be clear as crystal and completely calm. film producer/director Alfred Hitchcock. Oh for an Alfred Hitchcock to be in charge of the RFL, especially when it comes to producing a format for the Championship play-offs! I thought last season s format, involving six clubs, was complicated enough to understand, and rejoiced when I heard that eight clubs would participate in this year s end of season jamboree. At last, I reasoned, something Alfred Hitchcock - would have made a good RFL supremo. straightforward, like we had in years gone by 1v8; 2v7; 3v6; 4v5, with the highest placed winners then playing the lowest placed ones in succeeding rounds. However the RFL, and Championship clubs, came up with the matrix I have attempted to replicate below. I say attempted because I am not entirely confident that I have interpreted the RFL s press release accurately! I wonder how many of the Championship club representatives understood this, when they voted for it? Apparently it models the Sooper Dooper League playoff format, without the added complication of the club call, whereby the top placed club winning a game in week one can then select who they want to play in week three. Dave Parkinson and I were discussing the options in producing a programme at short notice, for the play-offs. Dave reckoned that we would need to do one, and after hours spent studying the format, I m reasonably convinced that he was right! Assuming we finish fourth, then we would have to visit either Sheffield or Featherstone depending on who finishes first. If we lose that game, we would definitely then be at home in week two, and if we won in week one, then we should (I think) get a home game in week three! Anyway, I ll leave it to you to decide, as my head is now hurting! Perhaps we should all approach this in a positive frame of mind, even if we don t fully understand it as American author Nora Roberts said, Nothing worthwhile is ever without complications. KINGSTONE PRESS CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY-OFF FORMAT 2013 Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 6th - 8th September 13th - 15th September 19th -22nd September Sunday 29th September at Leigh Sports Village QUALIFYING PLAY-OFF PRELIMINARY SEMI-FINALS QUALIFYING SEMI-FINALS GRAND FINAL (A) (E) (G) 1 v 4 Highest ranked loser in (A)/(B) Highest ranked winner in (A)/(B) (B) v v 2 v 3 Lowest ranked winner in (C)/(D) Lowest ranked winner in (E)/(F) Winner of (G) ELIMINATION PLAY -OFF (F) (H) v (C) Lowest ranked loser in (A)/(B) Lowest ranked winner of (A)/(B) Winner of (H) 5 v 8 v v Highest ranked winner in (C)/(D) Highest ranked winner in (E)/(F) (D) 6 v 7 I have already stated that this format mirrors the SL one so, in the interests of completeness, I can inform you that the Championship One play-off consists of FIVE clubs, (with the top one being exempt) and the Under 20 s play-offs will involve THREE clubs. Nothing like consistency, eh?! TIME TO STOP THE ROT By MIKE HULME Mike Hulme 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 supermarkets in town. Mike possesses a vast knowledge of Leigh Centurions and the world of Rugby League and I am delighted to welcome him back to the pages of The Centurion. HAVE had this article Iin my head for several months now and as the business end of the season approaches, perhaps it s time to air my views. Let's begin by listing some facts. The Super League competition has no major sponsor; the chairman of Hull KR has decided that he cannot justify losing more of his own money, just to rank as a mid-table team; London's crowds are going down, not up, despite all of the efforts put in to boost the game in the capital; there is no sensible pathway for players to progress to the highest level; (dual registration has been a disaster in my opinion) and the fact that a city like Hull has not managed to produce a half back in the last decade is a sad indictment of our junior development. We can add to all of this that the game's administrators are now discussing how many teams we should have in the Super League competition, less than three years since the second round of licenses were granted to have 14 teams in the top division. The majority of clubs are not financially sustainable and some things need to change. Unless we do something soon we will lose the majority of our best players, and we will get to a point when we can't call it a Super League. Brian Barwick - new Chairman of the RFL. I will not go on about many of the other mistakes that have been made over the last five years, but we have reached the point where a think tank of the best brains in the game is needed to provide the medicine rugby league needs. It would be neglectful to sit quietly and watch the game continue its slide into decline. The growth of rugby union in the UK (which can be measured in several ways, however you want to discuss it) and the lure and attraction of the NRL Down Under, (the salary cap is increasing there significantly, whereas it hasn't increased significantly here in the last ten years) are a massive challenge to rugby league in this country. Unless we do something soon we will lose the majority of our best players. We will get to a point when we can't call it Super League. So being positive, optimistic and pragmatic, what do we do? I do think there is a chance for us to change the way the game is going and the new chairman, Brian Barwick, joins the sport at a pivotal moment. His bold and brave leadership will define the fortunes of the game for the next generation of followers. I would strongly suggest he listens to the advice of people such as Ian Lenagan, Eamonn McManus and Gary Hetherington. I also think it would be a good idea to hear from people such as David Waite and others who have a deep understanding of how the game should develop. To me, it would make sense to listen to men such as Jon Wilkin and Jamie Peacock and try to understand what the whole game needs to grow. There are several examples of clubs and sports turning things around in a three year period but it usually takes a change of direction to pull this off. Currently we have several clubs struggling which could quite possibly cease to exist. I know this is not exclusive to rugby league, but unlike some other sports we are not big enough to cope with the loss of a couple of clubs. Some of the experts the author would like to see forming a think tank on the future of the game. David Waite Gary Hetherington Jon Wilkin

8 IN TOWN TODAY DEWSBURY RAMS By ALAN EDGE DEWSBURY s Homes Dewsbury have a long and proud history in the sport of Rugby League Sugar Lane. The club was formed, as Dewsbury Football and Athletic Club, following a meeting at the Saddle Inn, and played their first fixture on a field near to Crown Flatt. Their first recorded fixture was against Heckmondwike Church Society Crown Flatt. Quickly realising they needed a proper ground, the club purchased a sub-tenancy at Crown Flatt, opposite their original home. In 1879 the club changed their original playing strip, of blue and cardinal, to the eye-catching colours of black, crimson and yellow saw their first cup success, with a Yorkshire Cup final win over Wakefield. By 1888, the club, which was gaining a reputation as being the best equipped in Yorkshire, purchased their Noah s Ark stand, (I m not sure whether the name relates to the design, Yorkshire weather, or the occupants!) and changed their name to the Dewsbury and Saville Cricket and Football Club. In 1895, they were the only members of the Yorkshire senior Competition, to vote against joining the Northern Union a decision they reversed in 1898, after electing to abandon playing rugby union. Crown Flatt was leased from Lord Saville, and the club adopted their current famous colours of red, amber and black. (which presumably differ subtly from those used in 1879) In their first Northern Union game, Dewsbury were defeated at Normanton and, by 1901, when Lancashire and Yorkshire leagues merged, they found themselves in Division 2. In 1912, they won their first Challenge Cup final, defeating Oldham at Headingley and, nine years later, beat the Australian touring team, In 1920, the club achieved their highest attendance, of 26,584, when Halifax were the visitors to Crown Flatt. Two years later, when the Northern Union became the Rugby Football League, the club changed its name to Dewsbury Rugby Football Club, and in 1929, they fought their way through to the Challenge Cup Final, the first ever played at Wembley Stadium, only to lose to Wigan. Their next visit to Wembley, in 1942/3, brought success, over Leeds, by During the Second World war, under the management of Eddie Waring, and including several big name guest players, (who says Dual Contracts are a recent thing?) they won the Wartime Emergency League only to be stripped of the title when they were found to have included an ineligible player. In 1948, star full back Jimmy Ledgard, was signed by Leigh, for a then-record fee those were the days! Ledgard returned to Dewsbury to finish his career, after a long, distinguished spell with Leigh, where he earned international honours. 1972/3 saw the clubs only championship (the equivalent of current day Super League) success, when they defeated Leeds, at Odsal. They had actually finished eighth in the league, but won their way through the play-offs! In 1998, their famous, and recently re-furbished wooden stand was burned down, by three local youths, and the club lost everything, including all their historical memorabilia Mount Pleasant. Following the fire, Dewsbury decided to move home, into a purpose-built stadium, and ground-shared with neighbours Batley, while the stadium was being built Crown Flatt later to become The Tetley s Stadium. Dewsbury celebrated their first home game at the new Crown Flatt stadium, in Owl Lane, with a resounding victory over Barrow, by The stadium was re-named as Ram Stadium. After being narrowly defeated by Hunslet in the 1999 Northern Ford Premiership Final, Dewsbury Rams, as they were now known, went one better the following year, ousting Leigh by one point in another thrilling final. The sweet taste of success was, however, soured when the RFL decided against admitting Dewsbury to Super League, citing insufficient ground capacity this despite the clubs proposal to ground-share with Sheffield, while their stadium was improved Following a sponsorship deal, the stadium was renamed as The Tetley s Stadium. The early years of the new century saw Dewsbury yo-yo between the National leagues, until they were promoted to the Championship in 2009, and have consolidated there to the current day. Dale Morton in action against Featherstone THE NEW RAMS IN THE FLOCK Probably the most notable new acquisition, was that of coach Glenn Morrison. The popular Australian had a distinguished playing career of over 200 games in the NRL, with Balmain, North Sydney, North Queensland and Parramatta, before racking up almost another century of appearances in Super League, with Bradford Bulls and Wakefield Trinity Wildcats. Morrison cut his teeth in coaching, with a successful stint in charge of the Wildcats academy side, prompting first team coach Richard Agar to hand him an assistant role with the Super League outfit. Morrison s wealth of playing experience and coaching badges is sure to pay dividends at the Tetley s Stadium. The new coach has made a number of signings for this season, following the departure of several high profile players from last season s squad, including Steve Crossley, Pat Walker, Ryan Esders, Cain Southernwood, Ayden Faal, and George Flanagan. In the main, Morrison has opted for youthful replacements, as he sets out to build his squad, although he has blended the youth with experience in five of his signings, starting with Halifax s Papa New Guinea prop, Mikale Aizue, and Leigh forward Tommy Gallagher. Former Sheffield back row Ryan Hepworth has moved to Dewsbury, having clocked up over 100 appearances in seven seasons at the Don Valley. Hepworth is seen as the tough, uncompromising player that Dewsbury needed to bolster their pack. Experienced three-quarter Karl Pryce was a major signing for Pryce s ten year career in Rugby League has always been at the highest level, with two spells at Bradford sandwiching stints at Wigan and Harlequins. In all, Pryce made almost one hundred SL appearances, scoring seventy tries, in the process. Experienced New Zealander, hooker Kane Bentley has joined in recent weeks, from Lezignan. Most of Bentley s career has been in France, including a three year stint with Catalans Dragons, for whom he turned out 39 times, representing the French international side twice. The rest of Dewsbury s signings are distinctly youthful. 20 year-old centre Callan Backett signed from Warrington, where he was a prominent member of the club s Academy side. Loose forward/half back Aaron Brown is a year older than Beckett, having started his career with Oldham-based club Waterhead, before developing through the prolific Leeds Academy set up. He has the unenviable task of stepping into the boots of former Rams favourite, and play maker Patch Walker. Centre Scott Hale, at 21, is another former Academy star who makes the step up into senior rugby with the Rams. Scott commenced his career with Haydock, before being snapped up by St Helens, for whom he made four Super League appearances. Last season he played in the Championship with Swinton, on a dual contract. At the time of writing, Hale is the only ever-present in the squad. Prop Tom Lillycrop (21) opted to link up with his coach again, despite the overtures of other Championship clubs, when it was announced that he was to leave Wakefield, where he gained recognition in the Academy awards for Former Wakefield team mate, wing Dale Morton is just a year older than Lillycrop, but already has 27 Super league games to his credit, bagging nine tries in the process. Yet another former Wildcat to follow his coach, is prop Russ Spiers, (22) who made two appearances for Wakefield in Last season, Spiers played his part in Doncaster s Championship One Grand Final triumph, as a dual contract player. Hooker Ryan Wright, (21) was Morrison s first signing for the Rams, who once again raided the Wildcats production line to secure the former Academy Player of the Year. Centre Brad Watkinson was a mid-season signing, from the New Zealand Warriors reserve grade team. Dewsbury have formed a partnership agreement with Bradford Bulls, but the SL club has been forced to play many of the intended dual signings in their SL team. Adam O Brien and Jobe Murphy are two of the duals to have played for the Rams, who have been forced to turn their attentions elsewhere in Super League for young talent. Inevitably, that has led Morrison to make use of his contacts at Wakefield, and centre/second row Lucas Walshaw is yet another Wildcat to try his luck at the Rams. Walshaw is 21, and is currently at Dewsbury on a season-long loan. The 6 foot 5 youngster has played ten times in Super league, where he undoubtedly possesses the physique to succeed. Half backs Keiran Hyde (21) and Bobbie Goulding (20) are two more young Wildcats, with Super League experience, to have represented the Rams this season. Goulding has made seventeen appearances, and Hyde fifteen so far. Ben Johnston (21) is yet another young on-loan half back who has tasted Super League, with his parent club Castleford Tigers. Karl Pryce - a big capture for the Rams this season. Kieran Hyde seen scoring a Super league try for Wakefield. Mikale Aizue with new coach Glenn Morrison. Tommy Gallagher in action for Leigh last season

9 LOTTERY NEWS THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS Main Match Sponsor We are delighted to welcome today, as our main match sponsor, A-Star Recruitment. Based in Wigan and St Helens, A-Star specialise in providing both skilled and unskilled workers, for permanent or temporary positions, in both these towns, in addition to Widnes, Warrington, Liverpool and Manchester. Their team specialises in: Specialist industrial recruitment Tailored recruitment packages Temp to perm after 12 weeks Competitive charge rates Staff within the hour On site management 24 Hour account manager contact, (no call centres) A-Star can be contacted on , or Match Ball Sponsor Today s match ball sponsor is Advanced Cladding and Single Ply Systems, who specialise in both new and refurbished flat roof systems. Based in Manchester, Advanced Cladding can be contacted on , or by at sales@advancedcladding.com. We hope all our sponsors enjoy their day at Leigh Sports Village, and we thank them for their generous support. Fresh from their sixth appearance at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the Faulty Towers Dining Experience comes to Leigh Sports Village on the 9th November. This 2 hour spectacular combines a hilarious piece of interactive live theatre with a three course meal. This could possibly be the most entertaining dining experience you ever have. Places are strictly limited to 120, and are already starting to book up quickly, so we advise you book your tickets as soon as possible. Book your tickets today, either by telephone on , on lottery@leighrl.co.uk, or simply enquire at the ticket office. What the critics have to say: a two-hour eat, drink and laugh sensation (Daily Telegraph, Edinburgh Fringe) the wackiest and happiest experience you ll ever have (Cork Evening Echo, Galway Comedy Festival, Ireland) The cast is excellent and the laughs never-ending (Herald Sun, Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2013) a great night out, excellent comic timing (artshub, Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2013) utterly delicious entertainment, spot on (Edinburgh Evening News) KINGSTONE PRESS CHAMPIONSHIP TABLE as at 24 AUGUST 2013 Team Played Won Drawn Lost For Against Points Diff Bonus Points Points 1 Featherstone Sheffield Halifax Leigh Batley Doncaster Dewsbury Workington Whitehaven Keighley Swinton Hunslet Barrow York This Weekend s Fixtures Sunday 1st September Barrow Raiders v Keighley Cougars Doncaster RLFC v Sheffield Eagles Halifax RLFC v Workington Town Hunslet Hawks v Featherstone Rovers Leigh Centurions v Dewsbury Rams Whitehaven RLFC v Swinton Lions York City Knights v Batley Bulldogs

10 LEIGH CENTURIONS SQUAD Head COACH - PAUL ROWLEY Sponsorship Opportunities Leigh Centurions have introduced additional sponsorship opportunities, to appeal to supporters and small businesses. 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 Alf Ridyard on or on at alfridyard@virginmedia.com No NAME Shirt Sponsor 1 GregG McNally Marstrut Player Sponsor SHORTS SPONSOR SOCKS SPONSOR DAVID ECKERSLEY CUT & BLOW BOND STREET CLUB 2 Steve Maden Padken Steel Erectors JMS INTERIORS FERROLI (BOILERS) 3 Stuart Littler Professional Witnesses 4 Matt Gardner Williams & Co - Personal Injury Solicitors CORLETT ELECTRICAL THE BOARS HEAD MICK LYNCH TFR DR DOUBLET-STEWART 5 Jon Pownall Grada UK LC COMMUNICATIONS NORTH STANDER 6 Martyn Ridyard Integrated Control Solutions 7 Ryan Brierley Leigh Sports Village Co 8 Sam Hopkins Styles & Co 9 Bob Beswick Taylor Drilling Services Integrated Control Solutions LUNCH BOX MICHAEL CAINE LISA & HA ENGLAND ENGINEERS LTD ADS MARQUEES CENTURION HYDRAULICS AB SUNDECKS ASK PLATT OFFICE SUPPLIES 10 Rob Parker Hamilton Fabrications Ltd 11 Simon Finnigan Ask Platt Office Supplies 12 Tommy Goulden CDA Business Services 13 Martin Aspinwall Widdows Mason Solicitors 14 Sean Penkywicz Leigh Market Traders Association 15 Andy Thornley Ale House Leisure Ltd 16 Craig Briscoe L.I.S.A. 17 Tommy Coyle Greenheart Regional Park Project 18 Anthony Nicholson 19 Michael Ostick 20 James Taylor TUFFNELLS CDA BUSINESS SERVICES INTRA HEALTH FAMILY PACTICE - LSV LISA HAMILTON FABRICATIONS LTD Ale House Leisure Ltd IN MEMORY OF TERRY WILCOCK EDMUNDSON ELECTRICAL KATIE WILLIAMS TOYMASTER ALAN EDMUNDSON ELECTRICAL BLACKBURN 21 Ryan Duffy 22 Adam Higson 23 Chris Rowe TROPHY ENGRAVING WIGAN TOMMY SALE MBE TOMMY SALE MBE LISA 32 ANTHONY BATE 34 Tom Spencer JOE BULLOCK

11 MATCH ACTION v WHITEHAVEN UNDER 2os Focus By DAVE PARKINSON Photographs courtesy of award-winning photographer, Maurice Jones Simon Finnigan offloads in heavy traffic. Whitehaven's defence about to feel the force of another Steve Maden charge. Stuart Littler celebrates another try. Tommy Goulden makes a break. Sadly for the Centurions Under-20s their season is over. Despite not qualifying for the play-offs, it has been a good year for Paul Anderson s youngsters, each of whom has improved his game under the tutelage of the former first team centre. As for the competition, I hope something is done about it! In a lot of respects it has been farcical with some teams treating the competition as an under-23s and win percentages being used to decide league placings, like something out of the 1900s. Also unlike previous seasons, that have seen top four or top five play-off systems incorporated, this year sees a two-game, top three play-off all very confusing indeed. Leigh played 19 games in total this season while York played just 12 to take 3rd spot (Leigh finished fourth). On a personal level the season has been a triumph for hooker Aaron Lloyd and half-back Josh Ward. Both scored 14 tries during the campaign with Ward, stepping out of last year s under- 18 set-up, also kicking 84 goals for an impressive 224 point haul. Another huge plus from this talented group is Anthony Bate. Paul Anderson plucked him from the first team at Thatto Heath, having worked with him in the Lancashire set-up, and suggested he could step up as a pro. We haven t been disappointed Bate claimed 10 tries and skippered the side before being promoted into the first team where he has already appeared nine times and been given a contract for next season. Action from one of the four games with SL side Salford. While Ward was grabbing the headlines, two players who really flourished over the season, were Matt Pendlebury and Luke Warburton. Pendlebury was like the glue that kept the side together and played in all but the last two games after injuring himself in a July defeat to Salford. He scored 7 tries and stepped up to goal-kicker superbly in Ward s absence to add 21 goals of his own. For Warburton it was a slow start to the campaign but he was the sides Mr Fixit, playing roles at centre, stand-off and loose forward throughout the year, to underline his versatility and value to the side. In the backline Andrew Cunningham from Wigan was an ever present, learning a new role at fullback as the season went on, while Mitchell Cox improved on his under-18 campaign last season to notch 8 tries and play in 16 games. Australian Cameron Pitman also cemented a place on the wing after paying his own fare over and coming to the club on a trial basis. The former South Sydney reserve played it tough throughout the season and scored 9 tries, but his best game of the year came at Salford when, after suffering three previous losses, he inspired the Centurions to a rampant win over the league leaders. Pitman made his first team debut at Barrow. Other stalwarts of the side included Brad Ashurst, an old fashioned prop forward with a good pass who claimed 5 tries, Joe Bullock who has since enjoyed a run of six games in the first team and secured a contract for next year, Sam Peet who did Chris Rowe came good for the latter part of the campaign. Leading scorer Josh Ward well at centre and second row, and Chris Rowe, who made his first team debut last term and certainly strung some impressive form together over the last couple of months of the campaign. Other valuable contributors for the season included Adam Barber, who suffered injury midway through the year; James Hill who stepped into the first team before moving with work and taking up a playing offer at Hemel Stags; Danny Waddy who converted from rugby union after being outstanding in 2012/13 with Sale RUFC, and really started developing as a prop forward; and Wigan St Judes Tom Breheny who fought bravely for a spot all year despite injury. Tyler Spence also looks a good prospect for the future, grabbing three tries from seven games while Thatto Heath back rower Leon Tatlock came into the squad over the final month and a half and really did make an impact, scoring a hat-trick in that victory at Salford. Dylan James and Adam Simm also look promising while Eze Harper linked up with the side from Eccles over the final month and looked an assured player. Despite the club s midseason financial worries, Anderson kept his side together and got them playing some magnificent rugby. In their 19 games, Leigh notched 738 points which included 131 tries at an average of almost 39 points a game. My thanks go to Paul and all the lads for a very enjoyable season

12 LOVE RUGBY LEAGUE By TONY WILLIAMS Editor: - Tony Williams is a leading journalist on the excellent Love Rugby League website. Despite last month pointing to the Challenge Cup final as something to look forward to, the Wembley showpiece failed to provide the kind of spectacle most of us were hoping for. Hull fans, of course, went home with hopes dashed (Leigh supporters, I m guessing, were similarly disappointed!) but even we neutrals were left unfulfilled by Wigan s 16-0 win. In part the game was ruined by the weather. The Wembley pitch was absolutely sodden by kick off. Watching the highlights of the lunchtime game between Fulham and Arsenal on Match of the Day that evening showed how bad the rain had been in London in the hours before kick-off, while the game between Charlton and Doncaster was called off due to a waterlogged pitch. Yet the number of handling errors was greater than you would expect even in such difficult conditions. Hull s handling was especially shambolic, Iain Thornley registers Wigan's first try. destroying any chance of a comeback. At just 10-0 up and with nearly ten minutes left in the game Wigan, under pressure, were caught in goal. The resulting drop out, however, was dropped by Daniel Holdsworth, summing up much of Hull s afternoon. This game will live long in the memory, for all the wrong reasons. Yet just as the greatness of the most fondly-remembered cup finals increase with every re-telling, and are exaggerated as every generation passes its memories on to the next, the mediocrity of this particular final will wax ever greater as the years go on. Indeed, that process has already begun. Collectively we will remember a game that was putrid from Jamie Shaul's long run came to nothing for Hull. start to finish, Sam Tomkins clinches the win for Wigan. Tony Williams but that hardly tells the whole story. The first half was a genuinely entertaining affair (at least in my opinion). There may have only been one try, but Wigan had attacked well and Hull s defence been up to the job apart from that one breach. Wigan had had the bulk of possession and territory, but Hull had their chances too. Had the Airlie Birds improved after the interval, we could have been talking about one of the better cup finals of recent years. One of the advantages of Twitter is being able to follow peoples reactions as the game progresses, and at least on my timeline people didn t start to get fed up until the second half. The worst handling errors from both sides came in the second period, and most viewers realised that the game was going to peter out rather than spark into life. Even then there were one or two memorable moments: Sam Tomkins try was superbly well-crafted, while Jamie Shaul s impressive run from deep in his own half was matched by Josh Charnley s excellent defensive effort. Shaul s performance throughout gave the impression that the 21-year-old full back could have a promising career ahead of him. Make no mistake: this was a bad game. In what could have been a competitive outing only one team looked capable of winning and not even because they played particularly well while handling errors ruined the flow of the second half. There s no point pretending this was anything other than a disappointment. Yet there s no need for despair not every game can be great, or every cup final a classic. One bad game does not mean that the Challenge Cup needs to be scrapped, or the final needs to revert to Cardiff, or that rugby league is dying. It means simply this: it was a disappointing cup final, and we hope that the next one will be better. tony@loverugbyleague.com CAPTAIN S LOG NATHAN LAWRENSON TALKS TO TEAM CAPTAIN, ROB PARKER Let s start as always with last week s result which in this case was a defeat at Batley It was a cagey game because there was quite a lot riding on it and we were disappointed not to get the win. It was a little bit scrappy in parts and I guess we just lost our way a little. We could have probably pinched a draw on a couple of occasions but it wasn t meant to be. Fair play to Batley, they chanced their arm towards the end and got the points to justify doing that. This week s game comes in the form of Dewsbury; what are you expecting from them? Dewsbury went through a tricky patch to start off with but they seem to be coming quite good. Fair play to Glenn Morrison the coach, because he s assembled a good squad together. There are some stand-out players in that team, who we need to be aware of. But even so, they seem to be playing well as a team for each other. Going to Dewsbury is a tough game because they always play to their strengths. It will be interesting to see what happens at the Sports Village as a lot of teams enjoy coming here. Dewsbury are currently inside the top eight but could do with a result to guarantee a play-off spot. The Championship has certainly been competitive this season, hasn t it? I agree with that completely. You ve seen Swinton turn over Featherstone and to some extent, Sheffield - being the form team - being knocked out of the Northern Rail Cup was a shock. The beauty of our league is that it s become a lot stronger and you can see that in the last round of games of the season. Most teams need something, whether that to be to make the play-offs or get home advantage. The last round of the season is always exciting as we re all still fighting for that final position. How vital is it to achieve a win today with the play-offs looming? I think I ve mentioned before that it s massively important that teams play with confidence. Getting a win today will really help us to believe in ourselves and hopefully drive us forward in the playoffs, because our aim is to win the Grand Rob now has a goal of a Super League future for Leigh. Rob in Super League action for Warrington Wolves. Rob Parker Final. We believe that s a realistic expectation but that it can only be achieved if we do have faith in ourselves. Does it make it a little more special ending the regular season on home soil? I feel that it s important for us to win this game as it s our last game before the play-off and we get to play that in front of our own fans. They ve stuck by us this year and their support has been vital notably in the Northern Rail Cup final. We feel that if we get the win, it s a bit of a thank you to them. It s also been a productive season for the club off the field. John Roddy was recently announced as permanent Chairman and the signs off the field are just as positive as they are on It s a huge appointment for the club. When you first meet someone, there are certain things you can tell from that first impression. When I first met him, I could tell he has a real drive to succeed and plenty of passion for what he does. He s been inspirational to me in my daily role in the business side of things and I think he wholly deserves the role. Since he took over, the club have just got better and better both on and off the field. We ve got players signing and things I can t really go into yet that are happening off the field. We re really investing and he realises that you have to invest in order to grow and move forward. His aspiration now is to get into Super League and we both now think that is realistic. That s really exciting for me, in whichever role I take on, because we have an end goal. We re not just looking to tread water and survive anymore; we re looking to the future, to invest in the club, the town and the sport

13 FACTS & STATS By DAVE PARKINSON Hello and welcome to another Facts n Stats. After a couple of shorter versions, I m hoping to bring you the full nine yards for this one (I say nine because all teams stray offside don t they!). From a Leigh point of view things are still ticking along nicely, the side has scored 160 tries so far this term and moved past 900 points for the season. Some players are also approaching milestones. Stuart Littler edges ever closer to the 100 appearances mark; should he run out today it will be his 92nd game for the club. Johnny Pownall is nearing his 50th appearance and recently became a centurion point scorer. He currently has 28 tries to his name in 47 appearances. The recent game against Whitehaven also saw Michael Ostick reach his 50th appearance for the club, while congratulations are also due to Steve Maden. His two tries in that game took him to ten for the campaign but more importantly 100 not out in a lengthy career. Two more points from Martyn Ridyard will see him become only the fifth player in club history to reach 800 for the club. Currently Ridyard has 798 points in 129 appearances, although he still has some way to go in order to overtake Chris Johnson who notched 1073 points during his time at Leigh. From a dual contract/loan point of view Tom Spencer has made lots of friends at Leigh this past two seasons and he recently played his 40th game for the club. I also thought it would be interesting to look where Leigh players are in relation to the top point scorers throughout the game this season. Tries 1 Menzie Yere (Sheffield Eagles) 40 2 Josh Charnley (Wigan Warriors) 39 3 Sam Tomkins (Wigan Warriors) 34 4 Quentin Laulu-Togagae (Sheffield Eagles) 30 5 Joel Monaghan (Warrington Wolves) 27 6 Rob Massam (North Wales Crusaders) 23 7 Ryan Brierley (Leigh Centurions) 22 8 = Jarrod Sammut (Bradford Bulls) 21 Kieran Dixon (London Broncos) 21 Jessie Joe Parker (Whitehaven) 21 Goals 1 Dominic Brambani (Sheffield Eagles) Danny Brough (Huddersfield Giants) Liam Finn (Featherstone Rovers) Pat Richards (Wigan Warriors) Martyn Ridyard (Leigh Centurions) Tommy Johnson (North Wales Crusaders) 98 7 Kevin Sinfield (Leeds Rhinos) 95 8 Thomas Bosc (Catalan Dragons) 90 9 Tom Hemingway (Batley Bulldogs) Brett Hodgson (Warrington Wolves) 88 Points 1 Pat Richards (Wigan Warriors) Dominic Brambani (Sheffield Eagles) Liam Finn (Featherstone Rovers) Danny Brough (Huddersfield Giants) Martyn Ridyard (Leigh Centurions) Tommy Johnson (North Wales Crusaders) Steve Tyrer (Halifax) Dylan Skee (London Skolars) Brett Hodgson (Warrington Wolves) Tom Hemingway (Batley Bulldogs) 206 Ryan Brierley and Martyn Ridyard, up among the top scorers in RL this season. Tom Spencer - over 40 appearances for Leigh. Not bad for a Dual Contract player. Try Tracker For Try Tracker Against 0-9 minutes minutes minutes minutes minutes minutes minutes half-time minutes half-time minutes minutes minutes minutes minutes minutes 9 70 minutes full-time minutes full-time Goal Kickers Goals Attempts % Martyn Ridyard Ryan Brierley Gregg McNally Bob Beswick Totals Leigh Career Debuted Squad No DOB Apps Sub Tries Goals Drop Points Apps Sub Tries Goals Drop Points Goals Goals Martin Aspinwall /10/ Anthony Bate /04/ Bob Beswick /12/ Ryan Brierley /03/ Craig Briscoe /12/ Joe Bullock /11/ Greg Burke /02/ Thomas Coyle /05/ Dominic Crosby Ryan Duffy /05/ Simon Finnigan /12/ Matt Gardner /08/ Tommy Goulden /06/ Adam Higson 2008/ /05/ James Hill Sam Hopkins /02/ Jack Hughes Stuart Littler /02/ Rhodri Lloyd /07/ Gregg McNally /01/ Steve Maden 2004/ /09/ Anthony Nicholson /11/ John O'Donnell /06/ Michael Ostick /01/ Rob Parker /09/ Sean Penkywicz /05/ Cameron Pitman Jonny Pownall /08/ Martyn Ridyard /07/ Chris Rowe /02/ Tom Spencer /01/ James Taylor /09/ Scott Taylor /02/ Andy Thornley /03/ Iain Thornley TRY CREATORS Individual Pass Kick Other Total Martyn Ridyard Sean Penkywicz Gregg McNally Ryan Brierley Bob Beswick Simon Finnigan Sam Hopkins Tommy Goulden Matt Gardner Jonny Pownall Stuart Littler Anthony Nicholson Steve Maden Scott Taylor John O'Donnell Michael Ostick Ryan Duffy Thomas Coyle Greg Burke Anthony Bate Iain Thornley Rhodri Lloyd

14 PLAYER SPONSORS Gregg McNally Marstrut David Eckersley 2 Steve Maden Padken Steel Erectors JMS Interiors 3 Stuart Littler Professional Witnesses Corlett Electrical Engineering Co (1981) Ltd 4 Matt Gardner Williams & Co - Personal Injury Solicitors Dr. Doublet-Stewart 5 Jon Pownall Grada UK LC Communications 6 Martyn Ridyard Integrated Control Solutions Integrated Control Solutions 7 Ryan Brierley Leigh Sports Village Co LISA & H A England Engineers Ltd. 8 Sam Hopkins Styles & Co A B Sundecks 9 Bob Beswick Taylor Drilling Services Ask Platt Office Supplies 10 Rob Parker Hamilton Fabrications Ltd Tuffnells 11 Simon Finnigan Ask Platt Office Supplies CDA Business Services 12 Tommy Goulden CDA Business Services Intra Health Family Practice - LSV 13 Martin Aspinwall Widdows Mason Solicitors LISA 14 Sean Penkywicz Leigh Market Traders Association Hamilton Fabrications Ltd 15 Andy Thornley 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 19 Michael Ostick 20 James Taylor Katie Williams 21 Ryan Duffy Trophy Engraving Wigan 22 Adam Higson 23 Chris Rowe L.I.S.A

15 TOUCHDOWN CLUB By ALAN PLATT Touchdown Corporate Gold Members 2013 Company Contact Tel JAMES QS LIMITED IAN JAMES ASTLEY HIRE COMPANY STEVE DORRICOTT BURLINGTON BUILDERS LTD PAUL SUMNER GRADA (UK) LTD PHIL OWEN HIRE N HIRE KEITH STACEY TOPPING PARTNERSHIP PETER BENTHAM EUROSCREEN LIMITED CHRIS GARFIN CS CIVILS AND GROUNDWORK STEVE OPENSHAW ASK PLATT OFFICE SUPPLIES LTD ALAN PLATT PROFESSOR AND MRS BARRIE DALE BARRIE DALE IMPACT INSURANCE LTD MOIRA GRIFFITHS GLOBAL SURVEY EQUIPMENT MARK OWEN COLLINS & DARWELL CHRIS TRAVERS WATERFIELDS BAKERY RICHARD WATERFIELD LISA NEWS From LYNDA PIKE Hi everyone, Lynda here. Next LISA Meeting The next LISA meeting will take place this coming Wednesday, 4th September at Leigh Miners Welfare Club, on Twist Lane. The meeting starts at 8 p.m. and all will be welcome to come and listen to the latest club news from Andy Mazey and Rob Parker. Please note, that the room is only available from 8 p.m. Play-Off Coach Travel As soon as it is known where/when we will be playing our Qualifying Play-off game, (sometime between Wednesday 3rd and Sunday 8th September) details of coach travel will be announced on the LISA website, as well as the club website and fans message board) Tickets will, as usual, be available from the club retail outlet. Next Season As you will be aware, next season is a crucial one for the club, with final league placings deciding where the club will be playing, when the new league structure comes into place in With that in mind, we are looking to further increase our membership of LISA, to provide additional funds for player recruitment. If you haven t yet joined LISA, membership application forms can be downloaded from the LISA website, at or via the LISA link on the club website, at 28

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17 Junior Centurions with SHARON DILLON JUNIOR CENTURIONS WRISTBANDS The popular wristbands are still available to buy, but we only have limited stocks left, priced 1.00 each. They are available at the club retail outlet, C & D Books and Shine Jewellers in the Market hall, Atico Hair Studio, the club ticket office and Landside Store. We'd like to thank all our stockists for supporting the Junior Centurions. September Birthdays Happy September birthdays to the following Junior Centurions Harry-Jake Acton is 14 today 1st September Roan Van Cuylenburg will be 7 on 4th September Elliott Hindley will be 1 on 8th September Hayden Williams will be 4 on 9th September Jayden Wilding will be 6 on 10th September Charlie Westwell will be 9 on 14th September James Mee will be 11 on 18th September Eleanor Dainty will be 12 on 19th September Lloyd Carrington will be 7 on 20th September Aaron Needham will be 8 on 24th September William Lynch will be 13 on 28th September Bailey Williams will be 9 on 30th September Junior Centurions App Below are scanning codes which activate the Junior Centurion App for android & iphone. Android iphone for more info Join us for free today and don t miss out! 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. THE FINAL STRAIGHT THE Kingstone Press Championship Players of the Year will be decided using a new format this season and a host of players are in contention in both competitions. In past seasons, the coaches from each league voted for the main awards, with each selecting a top three of opposition players. That will again be the case for the Young Player and Coach of the Year prizes this time but the Players of the Year in both leagues are decided in a new way. All season, each coach is contacted every week for their feedback on which players have performed well at the weekend, forming the Premier Sports awards that are released each Monday. As part of that, a cumulative table has been running all season with players earning points towards the main awards in their respective division. Every week five players are awarded points towards the award with the Premier Sports Player of the Week handed five, the next player four and so on. Those tables will not be publicised again now, with the remaining votes staying private until the awards night is staged in Leeds in September. Sheffield Eagles prop Mitchell Stringer topped Mitch Stringer - leading the way for Championship Player of the Year. the Championship table in the final week of publicised tables, a position he has held for much of the season. Teammate Quentin Laulu-Togagae was two points behind him, having made a late surge, with halfbacks Aaron Brown, Paul Cooke, Liam Finn, Scott Leatherbarrow, Scott Murrell and Paul Handforth all in pursuit, along with arguably the find of the season, Workington s young playmaker Callum Phillips. His teammate Jarrad Stack, Featherstone prop Steve Crossley and Batley fullback Miles Greenwood made up the front runners with three rounds of points still to be awarded. The Championship One Player of the Year table had joint leaders in Mike Bishay who has played for both Hemel Stags and London Skolars on dual reg and loan from the Broncos North Wales Crusaders pair Stuart Reardon and Andy Mousdale. That table is Mike Bishay - currently joint leader for Championship One Player of the Year... even closer, however, with form duo Gary Middlehurst and Richard Lepori just a point behind. Also in the top ten going into the closing weeks were Skolars duo Mike Worrincy and Dylan Skee, Oldham pair Lewis...with Stuart Reardon Palfrey and Jon Ford, Oxford centre Sean Morris, Crusaders cult hero Jono Smith and Rochdale winger Gareth Langley. Though the remaining weekly points will not be publicised ensuring that the awards are a surprise on the night... and Andy Mousdale a shortlist will be formed for both divisions at the end of the league campaign. Championship Player of the Year Table 1. Mitchell Stringer (15 points) 2. Quentin Laulu-Togagae (13 points) 3 = Paul Cooke (12 points) Aaron Brown 5 = Scott Leatherbarrow (10 points) Callum Phillips Scott Murrell 8. Steve Crossley (9 points) 9 = Liam Finn (8 points) Paul Handforth Miles Greenwood Jarrad Stack Championship One Player of the Year table 1 = Mike Bishay (10 points) Stuart Reardon Andy Mousdale 4 = Gary Middlehurst (9 points) Richard Lepori 6 = Mike Worrincy (8 points) Jono Smith 8 = Sean Morris (7 points) Jon Ford 10 = Lewis Palfrey (6 points) Dylan Skee Gareth Langley

18 FIXTURES AND RESULTS 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 Featherstone Rovers CHAMP Lost 6-38 McNally Maden Littler Gardner Pownall Ridyard - 1T, 1G Beswick Ostick Penkywicz Spencer Finnigan Thornley Aspinwall Brierley Hopkins Parker Briscoe Alibert 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 Thu 14th Whitehaven CHAMP Won McNally - 1T Maden Littler Gardner Pownall Ridyard - 1T, 4G Beswick Ostick Penkywicz - 1T Parker Finnigan - 1T Goulden - 1T Aspinwall Brierley Hopkins Taylor Spencer Thomason 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 March Sun 3rd Keighley Cougars CHAMP Won 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 Fri 8th SHEFFIELD EAGLES CHAMP Lost McNally Maden Littler Gardner Pownall Ridyard - 3G Brierley Taylor Beswick Parker Finnigan Goulden Hopkins - 1T Penkywicz Duffy - 2T Spencer Briscoe Stokes 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 Thu 21st BARROW RAIDERS CHAMP Won 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 Fri 29th Swinton Lions CHAMP Won McNally - 1T Maden Littler Gardner - 2T O'Donnell Ridyard - 1T, 2G Beswick Ostick Penkywicz Parker Finnigan Goulden Aspinwall Brierley Hopkins Duffy Thornley Alibert April Mon 1st WORKINGTON TOWN CHAMP Won 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 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 Sun 14th Halifax CHAMP Lost McNally Maden Littler Gardner Pownall Ridyard - 1G Beswick Spencer Penkywicz - 1T Parker Finnigan Briscoe Hopkins Brierley - 1T Ostick Thornley Taylor Leatherbarrow Sun 21st Wigan Warriors TCC4 Lost McNally - 1T Maden Littler Gardner O'Donnell Ridyard - 1G Brierley Ostick Beswick Parker - 1T Finnigan Briscoe Hopkins Penkywicz Duffy Thornley Taylor Thomason Sun 28th BATLEY BULLDOGS 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 May Sun 5th York City Knights 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 Sun 19th Featherstone Rovers NRC Won McNally Maden Littler Gardner - 1T Pownall - 1T Ridyard - 1T, 3G Brierley - 1T Ostick Beswick Ostick Finnigan Thornley Hopkins Penkywicz S. Taylor Goulden Duffy Thomason Sun 26th KEIGHLEY COUGARS CHAMP Won 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 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 Sun 9th Workington Town CHAMP Lost Pownall Maden - 1T Littler Lloyd Gardner McNally -3G Beswick Ostick Penkywicz Spencer Finnigan - 3T Goulden Hopkins Nicholson Thornley Briscoe Duffy Turley Sun 16th WHITEHAVEN NRC QF Won McNally -5G Maden Littler Gardner Pownall - 3T Coyle Beswick Ostick Penkywicz - 1T Spencer Finnigan - 1T Goulden Hopkins - 1T Nicholson Thornley Bate Duffy Leahy Sun 23rd YORK CITY KNIGHTS CHAMP Won 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 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 JuLY Sun 7th Doncaster CHAMP Won 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 Sun 14th Barrow Raiders CHAMP Won 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 Sat 20th Sheffield Eagles NRC F Won 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 Sun 28th Hunslet Hawks CHAMP Won McNally Maden Littler Gardner Pownall -1T Ridyard - 3G Brierley - 1DG Ostick Beswick Parker Thornley (1T) Burke Briscoe Penkywicz Spencer - 1T Duffy Bate Hewer Wed 31st HALIFAX CHAMP Won 11-4 McNally - 1T Higson Littler I. Thornley Pownall -1T Ridyard - 1G,1D Brierley Ostick Beswick Spencer Finnigan Goulden Briscoe Penkywicz Thornley Bate Bullock Hewer August Sun 4th SWINTON LIONS CHAMP Won McNally Higson Littler - 1T Gardner Pownall Ridyard - 1T, 4G Brierley Ostick Beswick - 1T Duffy Finnigan - 1T Goulden - 1T Briscoe Penkywicz Thornley - 1T Bullock Spencer Bloem Fri 9th Sheffield Eagles CHAMP Lost 8-20 McNally Maden Littler Gardner Pownall Ridyard - 2G Brierley - 1T Ostick Beswick Duffy Thornley Goulden Briscoe Penkywicz Spencer Aspinwall Bullock Thomason Sun 18th WHITEHAVEN CHAMP Won 44-6 McNally - 1T Maden - 2T Littler - 1T Higson - 1T Pownall - 1T Ridyard - 1T, 6G Brierley - 1T Ostick Beswick Spencer Finnigan Goulden Bullock Penkywicz Thornley Aspinwall Duffy Laughton Thu 22nd Batley Bulldogs CHAMP Lost McNally Maden Littler Gardner - 1T Pownall - 1T Ridyard - 3G Brierley - 1T Ostick Beswick Spencer Thornley Goulden Aspinwall Penkywicz Briscoe Bate Hopkins Merrick September Sun 1st DEWSBURY RAMS CHAMP

19 DEWSBURY RAMS SQUAD HEAD COACH - GLENN MORRISON No NAME 1 James Craven 2 Dale Morton 3 Scott Hale 4 Greg Scott 5 Jamaine Akaidere 6 Aaron Brown 7 Jy-mel Coleman 8 Tom Lillycrop 9 Ryan Wright 10 Russ Spiers 11 Rob Spicer 12 Josh Tonks 13 Tommy Gallagher 14 Matthew Tebb 15 Dario Esposito 16 Ryan Hepworth 17 Johnathan Schofield 18 Elliot Cosgrove 19 Callan Beckett 20 Michael Platt 21 Austin Buchanan 22 Ben Jones 23 Scott Spaven 24 Adam O Brien 25 Stephen Nash 26 Karl Pryce 27 Bobbie Goulding 28 Lucas Walshaw 29 Jobe Murphy 30 Brad Watkinson 31 Kieran Hyde 32 Makalie Aizue Kane Bentley Ben Johnston Jon Molloy DEWSBURY 2013 up to and including 22nd August 2013 Appearances: (Maximum 29) 29 Hale; 28 Morton, Scott; 27 Pryce; 25 Aizue, Hepworth; 23 Gallagher; 21- Brown, Lillycrop, Nash. Tries: (Total 104) 9 Brown, Morton, Scott; 8 Craven; 7 - O Brien, Hale; 6 Walshaw; 5 Coleman; 4 Akaidere, Gallagher. Goals: (Total 79) 42 Goulding; 21 Morton; 9 Hyde; 5 Coleman; 2 Spaven. Drop Goals: (Total 2) 1 Coleman, Schofield. Average Home Attendance (all competitions) 828 (Championship) BOBBY GOULDING Leading Points SCORER WITH 88 Referee: Mr J Bloem Touch Judges: Mr P STOCKMAN, MR P WARD Average Home Attendance ,072 (all competitions) 1,134 (Championship) Highest Home Attendance ,396 (v Halifax Championship) Highest Home Attendance ,703 (v Batley Championship) Lowest Home Attendance (v Myton Warriors Challenge Cup) 693 (v Swinton Championship) Lowest Home Attendance (v Thatto Heath Challenge Cup) 835 (v Swinton Championship) SCOTT HALE EVER PRESENT Programme designed and printed by Graphic Press