What a win.....

After weeks of wall to wall sunshine it was inevitable the game should be played on what has turned out to be the wettest day of the year in Blackpool, I cannot recall a day when it rained all day so heavily so far this year
It didn't dampen spirits in one small part of Blackpool, in fact for one part of that ground the weather was a total irrelvence come 6.40pm

I thought the first half was Fax's and was very glad to hear the Half Time hooter, our players looked rusty although in fairness I thought Fax had done some serious homework on closing down our play makers and as usual when your following a team behind I felt the 50/50's and bounce of the ball went against us , I think if Fax had got another try in that first 40 I think the cup would be on the wrong side of the hills.
I think 2 trys (one for them, one for us) got chalked off by the video ref which I felt could have stood and the Fax one that did stand was a 'talking point' and seemed the least likely of all 3 (In saying that I think all 3 would have stood in a normal championship game without the big screen video ref).
I thought both set of fans backed there teams vocally and the game had a good feel about it.

Sometimes as a fan you get a feeling it will be your day and I have to say at half time I felt confident we could crack the tough nut that Halifax was proving to be.
Within 2 mins of the restart I felt sure of it, the Leigh we know started very well and in that 2nd half I felt both teams played more expansive better RL, Our backs woke up (or got more room) and our forwards led by Hilly really put in a brilliant shift, I thought Robbie coming in helped us settle and we really looked good.
Ellis was begining to get frustrated which for me is a good sign as he usually then really clicks - today was no difference, a great effort.

The end was unbelievable but was really a product of the best RL coach I have ever seen (IMO).
Ian Millward has revitalised this club twice, whatever he installs in players should be bottled and sold as its no fluke, he is a fantastic coach and motivator.
His teams play RL the way its supposed to be played and it was no surprise to see the lads going hell for leather for a try rather than the lottery of a drop goal (Although Robbie attempted one earlier - a shocker )

As 'that try' was scored with the game about to finish one half of the ground went absolutely crazy, It was pure theatre and if anyone thinks the most important thing about this match and that try was some kind of mythical box tick for SL then they have no feeling or heart, it meant the world to those players of Leigh and the fans and no doubt felt like the end of the world to the Fax players and Fans.

After the last try (was it with 41 seconds to go, I don't know as its a blur ) Nanyn missed the conversion (first time I've seen him take one so quick ) and it was party time.

Hard to pick a MOM .
Big games from Littler and Hill with Mills never going backwards and Ellis was really busting a gut, I suppose Ellis would shade it for his tries but in reality the cup was the MOM award for all the Leigh players as they all fully deserved it tonight.

The 'thank you for that' bit.................
First up no doubt to that group of players, they gave there all and 100% effort (Duffy looked busted at the end and I'm not sure Robbie gave his doctor a easy afternoon), the teamwork , effort and skill shown by those guys in Leigh tops was first class and they NEVER gave up.
Next, the support , what a atmosphere and what a backing , brilliant from minute 1 to minute 80 (I'd say that includes the Fax fans as well).
Thirdly, AT and the team that helped finance this team and get the coach over,
And Finally..
The coaching team - all of them,a great effort to get the lads back in a game that they really should have lost, in terms of turnaround we are a team that doesn't know when we are beat.

I hope tonight the Leigh public gave them the hero's welcome when they arrived at the LSV , they fully deserved it.
Tonight on the Fylde coast with most people gone I can say wholeheartedly 'I'm PROUD TO BE A LEYTHER.

Still enjoying the ride.

nice one Jenky !!

Well said that man

I hear that Chris Hill was absolutely delighted to score that try and pointed to his shirt and badge as if it to say "this is where my heart is, even though I am leaving". Personally, I am very very pleased that Chris is now able to leave us with a medal, hopefully there will be another winners medal come the end of the season.

Great post Jenky by the way, it was great to see a detailed write-up having been unable to attend the day itself..

COULD,NT HAVE PUT IT BETTER MISELF Jenksy
Top Game

I was at the game as a neutral. What a great advert on and off the field.

I thought you were done at half-time, but that second half performance was fantastic.

I thought Chris Hill was MoM, but he can't be cos he isn't an half back.

Enjoy it

That try meant the world to Hilly - it was written all over his face!! The lad never wants to disappoint (not that he ever does!!), and he knows we all think the world of him, and that this club is where his heart will always be!!

It genuinely brought a lump to my throat to see how elated he was at the end!!

Last home game - be that league or play-offs should be a 'vocal dedication' to the lads efforts......

[size"Hilly is a Leyther, Hilly is a Leyther, na na na na,(Leigh!) na na na na (Leigh!)[/size...... all together now!!!

Great result! Would have loved to be there. Had a few pints to celebrate with the Canadian team after the training session who where all shouting for Leigh!!!

The ref arrived wearing a Leigh shirt which I thought was the perfect start to the day.

Well done Leigh

he already had a northern rail cup winners medal along with jimmy taylor im led to believe?

Correct, from 2006. Duffy has got one from 2004! (Littler has got one from 2003 with Salford but the less said the better on that one!)

Would not be suprised if Hilly was dual registered with us next year, although i think he is ready to be a super league prop i think wood,morley,carvell etc have another year on there contracts. Super performance yesterday proud to be a leyther and hope the club can pounce on the supporters attending yesterday who dont attend week in week out.

I think he's too old to be DR, he'll be a Warrington 1st teamer anyway I reckon.

He's too old for dual contract though not for loan. That said, I think Wire will be looking to use him in the first team anyroad.

I got told that was happenning but like you Matt i think hes too old but maybe loan him to us i heard that the agreement was so they got him signed and he could play this season for em the SL deadline has passed but he was signed b4 it

Just to add , I spoke to Chris's dad in the pub yesterday pre match and as usual somebody else brought up the subject of the move to Warrington , His dad said there was a lot of interest from most SL clubs , but even then Chris was deperate not to be seen as letting the club and the fans down , his Dad told him to read the message board and the comments posted on there , he did and those comments helped him to settle his doubts

It was clear to all that yesterday Chris played fantastic , as he always does , and there was no way anybody was going to stop him scoring that try , you could have stuck the best of the NRL in front of him and he would have still made the line , that to me was the game breaker for us , we stepped up the pace after that

So once again Mr Hill ,

I have no doubt you will play the rest of the season as you did yesterday and have always done from day one for us , and if we dont make or win the GF it will not be because you havent done all you can to achieve it