Leigh Centurions 2 Featherstone 14 LEIGH Centurions Academy marched into their second consecutive Grand Final with a great home win over Featherstone, watched by a crowd of over 500 in the Major semi-final.

After controlling the first 25 minutes of the game, Leigh could and should have had more points on the board before Featherstone hit back before half-time.

Leigh had opened the scoring on four minutes through a quick tap penalty when Pete Fairhurst linked with Martin Meadows and the returning BARLA Young Lion sent Alan Kilshaw over. Chris Mellor failed to convert but Meadows popped over a field goal before Rovers gained their first points.

Valu Bentley was controversially penalised for running behind his own player and Wayne Sutcliffe added the first of three successful goals.

Leigh replied immediately when Sean Prescott raced past a helpless defender to touchdown Kilshaw's well weighted kick after 16 minutes. Once again Mellor saw his goal attempt fall short and Featherstone started to enjoy more of the game.

Finally, Rovers got the breakthrough they had been searching for just short of the break.

Sub Lee West had only been playing for a couple of minutes before he scrambled his way to the line and Sutcliffe converted. Despite the lightning start to the game, Centurions only had a 9-8 lead going into the break.

After the restart Leigh were on the back foot but the defence was solid until Peter Clark was penalised for not playing the ball correctly and Sutcliffe converted the resulting penalty to his side the lead for the first time in the match.

However, this luxury was short-lived - Rowley brilliantly released Kilshaw, who in turn found Meadows who scored the try.

Approaching the hour mark William Jordan dived in at the corner, reducing the Centurions' lead to 15-14. Rovers pushed for the lead but only to have Gareth Dyas bundled into touch by Chris Humphries.

With an hour gone Mellor added a try assisted by the prominent Rowley but the Centurions failed to covert. Leigh now held a seven-point lead. It went from bad to worse for Featherstone who had Milnthorpe sinbinned shortly before a fine move resulting in Kilshaw's 24th try of a productive season. There was no way back for Featherstone who trailed by 27-14, and as if to rub salt in the wound Meadows scored his second field-goal three minutes from time.