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.