Leigh Centurions welcome Huddersfield Giants to the Leigh Sports Village on Friday night as they look for their second top flight victory, while their opponents look to bounce back from their first defeat of the campaign.
Last Time Out
Leigh Centurions faced the Champions Wigan Warriors, who had a 100% record going into the game, which included a World Club Challenge victory over Cronulla Sharks. Neil Jukes’ men were on a high after picking up their first win of the season against St Helens, but couldn’t back it up as they were beaten 20-0 at the DW Stadium by the Warriors.
After picking up wins against Widnes Vikings and Wakefield Trinity, Huddersfield Giants fell to their first defeat of the season last week at home to Hull FC. It was a convincing win for the 2016 Challenge Cup winners as they ran out 48-8 winners, with Sam Wood and Oliver Roberts picking up consolation tries for the hosts. The Giants won’t be best pleased with Gary Schofield after he criticised Mark Sneyd in the build-up to the game, before the Hull halfback grabbed a hat-trick and posted 28 points.
Key Battle
The battle of the forwards will be key, as the Centurions main aim will to dominate the middle and look to wear down their opponents. With the likes of Gareth Hock, Dayne Weston, Harrison Hansen and Danny Tickle facing up to them, the Giants forwards will have their work cut-out.
Huddersfield’s best bet of grinding out a win is to come away from the arm wrestle and try to play, as Danny Brough and Ryan Brierley are exciting attacking players, with the ability to spark something from nothing. If their flair players are on their game they could return to winning ways.
Prediction
Despite defeat last week the Centurions will take plenty of positives from their loss to neighbours Wigan, and their victory over Saints proves you can’t write them off. The Giants have started the year well but other than Hull FC they are yet to be tested, and with some injuries hitting their squad they may struggle at the LSV. Leigh Centurions by 8 points.
Squads
Leigh Centurions 19 man squad: Mitch Brown, Adam Higson, Ben Crooks, Matty Dawson, Martyn Ridyard, Josh Drinkwater, Gareth Hock, Micky Higham, Dayne Weston, Harrison Hansen, Eloi Pelissier, Danny Tickle, Atelea Vea, Ryan Hampshire, Ben Reynolds, James Green, Sam Hopkins, Jamie Acton, Lachlan Burr,
Huddersfield Giants 19 man squad: Jermaine McGillvary, Leroy Cudjoe, Lee Gaskell, Aaron Murphy, Danny Brough, Ryan Brierley, Sam Rapira, Ryan Hinchcliffe, Shannon Wakeman, Kruise Leeming, Sebastine Ikahihifo, Oliver Roberts, Ukuma Ta’ai, Paul Clough, Daniel Smith, Gene Ormsby, Tyler Dickinson, Darnell McIntosh, Alex Mellor
