Match report: Leigh Centurions 66, York City Knights 10

An even starker reality is that this time next week they could be relegated unless they get something from Thursday’s televised clash with Halifax.

Defeat yesterday was expected by all but the most optimistic of supporters, given the substantial gap between the top and bottom of the league.

However, the Knights had hoped to kick on from last week’s improved display against Featherstone, the joint leaders with Leigh, and the fact they instead went backwards again – thanks to the worst defence in the league again – was the most annoying element for the fans that travelled, even when accounting for the difference in age and expense between the two sides.

York had gone toe-to-toe with Rovers for 55 minutes before dropping away in the final quarter, and boss Dave Woods had hoped his unchanged team could go ten or 20 minutes better this time – and get out of Leigh with a bonus point.

Instead they were out of bonus point territory with only 18 minutes gone.

Leigh’s footwork on their big luscious pitch caused York problems from start to finish. They also had all the territory and possession, and – as if they needed extra help – most of the calls from referee Tim Roby.

Martin Ridyard gave them a fourth-minute lead, York’s defence quickly showing the leakiness that has typified them all year, and, although Woods’ men hit back after their only incursion of the first half, any hope this game might echo the reverse fixture – when the Knights scored 38 points to earn a bonus point – were quickly erased.

York’s try came after Andy Thornley fumbled Ryan Esders’ restart and, although Roby said the ball was spilled backwards (as he did on three separate occasions), it was nevertheless turned over and Anthony Thackeray scored with a show, a go, and a 25-metre diagonal sprint to the line.

Tom Bush missed the conversion, continuing York’s recent goalkicking inconsistency – not that this mattered.

There was always a sense Leigh knew they’d win and York knew they’d lose, and that was backed up when star half-back Jamie Ellis finished a fine home move, before Chris Hill dived over bodies to touch down.

It was pretty much game over when Mick Nanyn crossed to add to his nine conversions and Ellis sped in again.

The remaining 13 minutes of the first half became scrappy, but whatever foothold York were getting was taken from them by referee Roby as Joe Hemmings made good ground in possession only to be called back for a penalty for Leigh – with Sam Hopkins making it 36-4 at half-time on the back of it. It’s not clear what the offence was.

Centurions boss Ian Millward had said the only change to his side would be a recall for local prodigy Hopkins on the bench in place of Tyrone McCarthy.

However, full-back Stuart Donlan was also rested and Rhys Evans was called back by parent club Warrington, with Anthony Nicholson and Adam Higson coming in, allied to a little reshuffle.

For York, former New Earswick amateur Hemmings continued his challenging introduction into professional rugby league – his two appearances coming against the two best teams outside Super League.

Likewise scrum-half Scott Woods was thrown up against it again having made his Championship bow last week.

Woods wasn’t given much leeway behind a beaten pack but he struggled to keep pace – there’s a huge step up from reserve grade – and unfortunately he wasted a great second-half chance when having a chance to shine.

York got their first penalty of the match at the start of the second period, but Ben Jones spilled the ball early in the next set and the hosts went up the other end for Thornley to score.

Nanyn got his second try and, with the game played almost entirely in York’s half, Ellis completed a hat-trick. Referee Roby should have stopped the game, though, as Brett Waller was knocked out after an accidental clash – Ellis skipping aside the prone prop en route to the whitewash.

York briefly came into it, but Woods, with two men inside him, timed his pass all wrong and last man Robbie Hunter-Paul knocked the ball out of danger.

Although the visitors retained possession, Dennis Tuffour was bashed into touch in the other corner – and Higson soon scored a long-ranger at the other end.

Matt Garside spilled a high kick for Tommy Goulden to cross, before York finally got on the scoreboard again, prop Nathan Freer ending late pressure when stretching out to the line.

Dean McGilvray had the last word, though, with Leigh’s 12th try.

Match facts

Leigh: Hunter-Paul, Maden, Higson, Nanyn, McGilvray, Ridyard, Ellis, Hill, Duffy, Mills, Thornley, Goulden, Taylor.

Subs (all used): Nicholson, Nash, Hopkins, Littler.

Tries: Ridyard 4; Ellis 12, 27, 59; Hill 18; Nanyn 22, 49; Hopkins 39; Thornley 42; Higson 65; Goulden 69; McGilvray 80.

Conversions: Nanyn 4, 12, 18, 22, 27, 39, 59, 65, 69.

Penalties: None.

Drop goals: None.

Sin-binned: None.

Sent off: None.

Knights: Bush 6, Sutton 5, Garside 5, Haynes 6, Tuffour 7, Thackeray 7, Woods 5, Freer 6, Lee 6, Benson 5, Lewis 6, Esders 6, Clarke 5.

Subs (all used): Presley 5, Waller 5, Hemmings 6, Jones 5.

Tries: Thackeray 7; Freer 77.

Conversions: Bush 77.

Penalties: None.

Drop goals: None.

Sin-binned: None.

Sent off: None.

Man of the match: Anthony Thackeray – what threat York did have generally came through the former Widnes stand-off who never stopped trying.

Referee: Tim Roby (St Helens) – not bad, although he probably didn’t need to help Leigh as much as he did.

Penalty count: 5-2.

Attendance: 2,207.

Half-time: 36-4.

Weather: fine.

Moment of the match: Anthony Thackeray’s first-half try was a good solo effort.

Gaffe of the match: Scott Woods should have sent Ryan Esders home but his pass was badly timed allowing Leigh’s last man to get a hand on the ball. Soft defence across the park was again more costly, though.

Gamebreaker: Leigh’s four tries in 15 minutes that made it 30-4 with less than half an hour gone.

Match rating: too one-sided.