Whitehaven Warriors 13, Leigh Centurions 12 by Mike Hulme

THE Centurions are convinced that a touch judges error cost them two vital points in Cumbria yesterday.

With 12 minutes left Leigh looked to have secured a priceless victory when winger Mark McCully followed up a clever kick to the corner by Simon Svabic to touchdown.

Although referee Peter Taberner appeared to be happy to award the score, his assistant disallowed the try, ruling McCully offside. But a furious Leigh coach Paul Terzis later claimed that the official had made a mistake and the try should have stood.

It would have given Leigh a lead of at least four points. But instead of celebrating victory, they made the long journey back empty handed as Marc Jackson's field goal three minutes from time snatched it for the Warriors.

"Mark McCully's try should have stood," said Terzis.

"It was clear that Svabic's kick was touched by the Whitehaven full-back before McCully scored. The Whitehaven bloke played him on.

"I've spoken to the fourth official and he's agreed with me. There's nothing we can do about it now, but it's really frustrating that a tight game has been decided by an error."

Leigh would have kicked themselves all the way back down the M6 after seeing a 12-4 lead whittled away.

A Neil Turley penalty gave them an early lead and after 26 minutes they made it 8-0 when when Willie Swann's deepkick was fumbled by 'Haven winger Chris Campbell and Turley was able to send Paul Anderson over. Turley converted from the touchline.

A Steve Kirkbride try halved Leigh's lead but Turley's long pass put Anderson in again in injury time.

Whitehaven caused Leigh more problems after half time and they began to chip away at Leigh's lead. Kirkbride potted a couple of penalties and just before the hour sub Rob Jackson popped up on the wing to level things at 12-12.

Leigh thought they'd won it with McCully's 'try' but it was 'Haven who snatched both points when sub hooker Marc Jackson sent over a 77th minute field goal.

CATCH Chris Hall's 'In Touch' rugby league column in Friday's Bolton Evening News.

RESULTS

Super League: Castleford 12 Hull 18, Warrington 16 Wigan 41, Halifax 16 London 36, Widnes 16 Salford 26.

Northern Ford Premiership: Doncaster 50 Workington 32, Batley 38 Hull KR 12, Barrow 15 Rochdale 8, Featherstone 34 Dewsbury 20, Huddersfield 50 Gateshead 10, Hunslet 20 Oldham 34.