22 all draw for Hull and bottom
placed Leigh

Super League?s bottom club Leigh gave play-off hopefuls Hull a mighty scare at Hilton Park before the teams shared the points in a 22-22 draw.

Hull looked like recording a big victory early on after racing into an 18-0 lead midway through the first half.

But Leigh mounted an impressive fightback and actually led 22-18 in the closing stages until Nathan Blacklock?s late try salvaged a draw for Hull.

Hull got off to the best possible start with a try after just 90 seconds. Richard Whiting charged down a hurried kick by Leigh?s Nick Owen and raced 30 metres to the try line. Danny Brough added the conversion.

Leigh were finding it increasingly difficult to get out of their own half as the kicking game of Richard Horne proved crucial and Hull pressed home their territorial advantage with two tries in 13 minutes.

Whiting?s well-timed pass sent Shayne McMenemy through a gap, before Kirk Yeaman went over after an arcing run. Brough also added a penalty and Hull looked to be cruising at 18-0.

But Leigh hauled themselves back into the game with two tries in the five minutes before half time. First, John Wilshere?s reverse pass put Rob Jackson over then a Wilshere kick was pounced on by Steve Maden. Nick Owen converted both and Leigh trailed by six at the break.

Leigh started the second half brightly but were reduced to 12 men after 45 minutes when Mark Leafa was sin-binned for a late challenge on Horne.

But, despite having a man in the sin bin, Leigh were dominating the game and their efforts were rewarded in the 50th minute when Maden struck for his second try to get Leigh within two points of the visitors.

Better was to follow for Leigh when Rob Smyth dived onto Jason Duffy?s kick which put the home side into an unlikely 20-18 lead.

With 16 minutes remaining Leigh edged further in front with an Owen penalty and as the game entered the closing stages it looked as if Leigh were on course for an upset.

But Hull, despite being second best for long periods grabbed a share of the points with a try from Blacklock with only two minutes remaining.

The scores tied at 22-22, Brough had the opportunity to snatch victory for Hull with his conversion but he could not manage it and the points were shared.

Leigh: Owen, Smyth, Jackson, Cooper, Maden, Wilshere, J. Duffy, Sturm, Rowley, Fleary, Leafa, Stapleton, Knott. Replacements: Marshall, King, Taylor, McCurrie.

Hull: Briscoe, Saxton, Eagar, Yeaman, Blacklock, Whiting, R. Horne, Dowes, Brough, Thackray, McMenemy, Kearney, Cooke. Replacements: G. Horne, McNicholas, Carvell, Tony.

Leigh (12) 22.Tries: Jackson, Maden 2, Smyth. Goals: Owen 3.

Hull (18) 22.Tries: Whiting, McMenemy, Yeaman, Blacklock. Goals: Brough 3.

Referee: Steve Ganson (St Helens)

Att: 3,427

Thanks to: http://www.superleague.co.uk for another excellent article.