Leigh 30-12 Sheffield: Centurions face Featherstone in 1895 Cup final

Leigh will meet Championship rivals Featherstone in the 1895 Cup final at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after beating Sheffield 30-12 in the semi-final.

The 1895 Cup between Leigh and Featherstone will act as a curtain-raiser to the Challenge Cup final later this month.

The Centurions were made to work for the win by Sheffield though. It was actually the Eagles who posted the first points of the game thanks to Kris Welham getting on the end of a kick. Izaac Farrell converted to give his side a 6-0 lead.

Jamaica World Cup hopeful Izaac Farrell then added a penalty goal to give the Eagles an 8-0 lead after 15 minutes.

But Leigh hit back on the half hour mark when back-rower Sam Stone burst onto a pass from John Asiata to score. Krisnan Inu converted.

Leigh were dealt a blow in the latter stages of the second half when Papua New Guinea international Edwin Ipape was sent to the sin bin for a high tackle. Farrell added another penalty goal to give Mark Aston’s side a 10-6 lead at half-time.

HT: Leigh Centurions 6-10 Sheffield Eagles

The Centurions went in front for the first time in the 48th minute. Australian forward Kai O’Donnell powered his way over, with Inu’s conversion edging the hosts into a 12-10 advantage.

But Sheffield drew level on the hour when Farrell added another penalty goal.

It wasn’t until the 67th minute until Leigh managed to regain the led. Papua New Guinea international Nene Macdonald continued his sensational try scoring form to put Adrian Lam’s side in front.

Wales World Cup hopeful Caleb Aekins put his side in a healthy lead nine minutes from time. Inu again converted.

Leigh wrapped up the victory two minutes from time when Ireland international Ed Chamberlain darted 60 metres to send his side into the final. Inu’s conversion saw Leigh wrap up a 30-12 win and send the Leythers en route to Spurs.

FT: Leigh Centurions 30-12 Sheffield Eagles

Leigh: Aekins; Brand, Chamberlain, Macdonald, Inu; Reynolds, Mellor; Sidlow, Smith, Amone, Stone, Wardle, Asiata. Subs: Nakubuwai, McDonnell, O’Donnell, Ipape.

Tries: Stone, O’Donnell, Macdonald, Aekins, Chamberlain Goals: Inu 5

Sheffield: Laulu-Togaga’e; Jones-Bishop, Welham, Johnson, Bass; I Farrell, Thackeray; Douglas, Halafihi, Dickinson, Bower, J Farrell, Hodgson. Subs: Oakes, Wood, Broadbent, Holmes.

Tries: Welham Goals: I Farrell 4

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