Second half discipline costs Fax chance of shock win against 12-man Leigh

Halifax slipped to a 34-20 Championship defeat at high-flying Leigh in an incident-packed game.

Simon Grix’s side made an awful start, going 14-0 down inside the opening 20 minutes, but clawed their way back to 14-10 and were buoyed when Leigh half back Jarrod Sammut was red carded just before half time for a spear tackle on Ed Barber.

But some indifferent second half discipline allowed the Centurions to wriggle their way into a 28-14 lead, before Cameron Scott’s late try finally sealed a topsy-turvy game.

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The home side looked formidable on the teamsheet, with a raft of Super League experience on show, including Australian half back Sammut, who was making his competitive debut for the club after a year spent with Super League giants Wigan.

Fax started brightly, winning possession back with a short kick off, but Leigh were soon rolling forward and the visitors struggled to contain their momentum, with penalties - including some needless ones - and handling errors leaving the home side firmly on the front foot.

Given the firepower in their side, it was hardly a surprise when the tries followed; Liam Hood scoring from close range and then Scott grabbing a double in the corner after outstanding passes from half back Ben Reynolds.

Reynolds added one conversion for a 14-0 scoreline after 20 minutes, leaving Fax needing something of a miracle to change the momentum of the contest.

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They got almost immediately, Paul Brearley finding a hole on the right, James Saltonstall taking the ball on and Scott Grix slipping Jodie Broughton over in the corner.

Steve Tyrer’s conversion attempt was short, but he was lining up a second, successful, attempt three minutes later when Keegan Hirst, who had been guilty of losing possession at the wrong end of the field, smuggled an offload out for Ed Barber, who scored by the posts.

Tyrer’s kick closed the gap to 14-10 and the temperature rose a couple of minutes later when Adam Higson was yellow carded following a scuffle on the right flank.

And when Sammut was shown a red card for a horrendous looking spear tackle on Barber - a nano second after being shoved to the ground by the back rower - the stage was set for a white hot second half.

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Leigh restarted the game with a tremendous kick off that trapped Grix in goal and when Barber swung a lazy arm in defence, Reynolds stepped up to kick the resultant penalty and push the scoreline out to 16-10.

And when Dan Fleming conceded another kickable chance for a clumsy lift of Jordan Thompson’s legs, Reynolds made it 18-10.

Fleming made another costly contribution immediately, bouncing off a tackle in midfield and opening the door for a move that ended with Higson scoring in the corner, Reynolds converting for a 24-10 scoreline.

Another two penalties, the second which landed Kevin Larroyer in the sin bin for a ridiculous shoulder charge on Reynolds, edged Leigh out to what looked a matchwinning lead at 28-14.

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And when Scott completed his hat trick, Reynolds converting, it was game over at 34-14.

Fax grabbed a late consolation from Robinson, but it could have been so much more.

Leigh: Mullen; Scott, Sa’u, Thornley, Higson; Reynolds, Sammut; Mason, Hood, Ioane, Hellewell, Glohe, Addy. Subs: Wildie, Thompson, Gerrard, Bienek

Halifax: Grix; Robinson, Tyrer, Saltonstall, Broughton; Murrell, Woodburn-Hall; Hirst, Moore, Calcott, Garside, Brearley, Fairbank. Subs: Davies, Fleming, Barber, Larroyer

Referee: James Vella

Attendance: 3,095

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