It seems fairly obvious to me that Leigh play to a gameplan that is to get under the skin of the opposition. It works too as often normally disciplined teams fall apart and end up getting players binned or sent off. It happened to the Bulls in game 1 completely as we got distracted from rugby and tried to settle scores and react to things which allowed Leigh to come back and beat us. Sure enough it was no coincidence that we had a number of players in the bin (rightly) who weren’t able to remain disciplined.

When a ref loses control it can easily escalate like it did versus Fev. That's bad for the game.

It’s easier said than done to say “don’t react” to the niggle and verbals but the side that does this will probably end up ending their winning run.

This approach seems to be proving successful for Leigh (so far) but I’m not sure how necessary it is. They have some good players and don’t need all the negative stuff. The patting of opposition players on the head when they make a mistake and the yelling in their faces after they score is getting way OTT and losing them potential friends. They’re not the only club doing it but they’re by far the worst with Sam Barlow and Greg McNally being particular culprits. Why do it? They don’t need to do it.

Isn't there a protocol available to the RFL to call both Leigh and Featherstone on a charge of "failure to control their players"?

Both captains were warned on a number of occasions about their discipline and failed to correct their behaviour. If the two captains (and by extension, the remaining players and coaching staff) don't take those expectations seriously, then it should be in the RFL's remit to sanction the clubs and reinforce the message of what is and isn't acceptable.

Whether Sunday's farcical game was a result of club cultures or whatever else, a couple of sanctions (for example, a suspended fine) here and there would soon focus a few minds.

I think Leigh may struggle in SL if that is their only tactic. There are some monster packs in SL and our discipline is to an extent better.

Disgusting performance of cowardly opportunism from Fev, aided by an inept ref. From the first set they slowed and niggled, causing a fracas when Kay was dragged into touch from that set. Every elbow, high shot, cheap dig, flop etc etc was on full show from them all game

I am delighted with Leigh's ability to ignore it for the most part but it is becoming patently obvious that the brain sharing taking place West of the Pennines has decided upon a particular strategy to offset Leighs free flowing RL that has torn teams apart. Niggle, lie on, creep up and dig at every opportunity - come on refs either officiate this way in the 8's or do something about it

Added to that there'll be much bigger crowds than theirs on the back of the refs who will be thus less intimidated. Basically, I don't see these tactics working at a higher level. Then again, Rowley's a smart guy and probably won't even attempt them, should they see his side promoted.

I am beginning to wonder how many commenting actually watched the game. Leigh were by no means innocent but Featherstone set there stall out very early on. There was also a hilarious piece of play acting from a Fev player on his own line who tried to pretend he had taken a blow to the head. Several replays later it was clear that no part of anyone came anywhere near his head. It seems everyone has forgotten about the sending off or have tried to turn it the other way in some way trying to justify it. Personally I hope it is a Cumbrian or London side who end our unbeaten run.

To be fair to Leigh it looked like someone from Fev had broken into Rowleys office and stolen the Leigh gameplan but Fev didn't have the subtlety to get away with it. They probably didn't practice it enough being part time.

Too much of this in one direction. Leigh didn't cover themselves in glory at the weekend, but if I had a choice between the two teams at the weekend, Fev where definitely worse. Even the sky commentators showed how biased they are. Picked out sam barlow for the yellow card because of his reputation, when he got subbed and beswick got the yellow. Referencing brawls from matches they haven't seen. Have there been problems, yes, but not to the degree they mention. All the stuff about hock not getting a yellow in the first half - in fairness I think hewas a lucky boy - however in the following set, Paul wood tried the same thing, but not as hard, no reaction from the player, no mention by the commentators and no penalty. Happy for folk to judge, but watch both sides and comment on what you see, not stories.

It's Deja-vu is this, they were exactly like this last time they had a decent side. Again threatening to rattle people when they got into Super League, they won 2 games as i recall and disappeared back into the depths till..ooh about 12-16 months ago !!

im pretty sure it was a leigh player kicking off in the first minute when he was put into touch

but yeah fev were the main culprits and set their stall out from the first minute
how dare they upset little ol innocent leigh

It was, but you cannot drag into touch only push, so it should have been a penalty, but yes it was.

First he was dragged into touch (penalty) then had one or two carry on shoving him around after he went into touch, so he shoved someone back. Should he just allow himself to be shoved around while the ball isn't even in play?

Must be the first game where a player had headbutted, punched and gouged a player on the floor, and it was the other team's ill discipline to blame