By Matt Lawton
June 8 2003

A satisfying performance from the Centurions saw them grab a routine victory over their Cumbrian visitors to take them into an Arriva Trains Cup final against local rivals Salford City Reds. Both sides started well without flattering to deceive and each completed sets of six without mistakes though not particularly creating any clearcut chances.

Leigh did take the lead when Centurions prop Paul Norman scored his second Cup try against Whitehaven in two seasons when he charged over the line from a short distance to send the Leigh supporters wild and silence the large contingent of Whitehaven supporters.

Both sides exchanged penalties before Whitehaven equalised with a converted try.

The scores stayed level until the brink of half time when former Widnes Vikings centre Damian Munro broke his short goalscoring drought to beat the cover and slide over following a forty yard run to put Leigh in front going in at half time.

Leigh started the second half in rip-roaring fashion and claimed an early second half score through Phil Kendrick. Whitehaven threatened a comeback with three tries including one from Graham Lawton and one from former Salford full back Gary Broadbent.

The Centurions continued to trouble the scorers with a drop goal from Pat Weisner and a try from Alan Hadcroft before they clinched victory with a late try from Dave Bradbury.

News filtered through that Salford had, as expected, beaten Batley in the other semi final to set up a mouthwatering clash between the two rivals to be played at the Spotland stadium in Rochdale early next month.