Rowley: “We’ll have to be at our best”

It is top against second in the Rugby League Championship today from 3pm when Leigh Centurions host Batley Bulldogs and Leigh assistant coach Paul Rowley is tipping a big game.

“I think they will be making mention of their results against us last year and drawing confidence from that.” He said, “They’ll be coming here and and like any Karl Harrison side will be tough and physical and with them only losing one league game so far, they will be confident.”

“We’ll have to be on our best to get a result.”

Fresh from the rigours of the Easter schedule that saw Leigh defeat Barrow and fight back to draw at Featherstone, Rowley added, “As a team we stick to our principles well and we are definitely an eighty minute team now. The longer the game goes on, we don’t panic, we don’t go away from our structures. To get a draw there was a moral victory.”

Leigh have been boosted by the recent dual contract signing of Rhys Evans who has now scored two tries in two games.

“Rhys is another player that the opposition have to pin point as a potential dangerman. Our tries are pretty well spread at the moment but he is definitely someone who can create something from nothing.”

Today will see the young Warrington centre re-united with another of his Wolves team mates when Matty Blythe makes his first Leigh appearance of the season.

The 22 year old was announced as a close season dual register capture for Leigh after 19 games and ten tries last term but after starring with Warrington in Super League, deputising superbly for Matt King, he has returned to the Sports Village.

“It’s great to have Matty back with us.” Leigh Coach Ian Millward commented. “The fact he’ll be linking with Rhys Evans is an added bonus.”