JOHN CHARLES STADIUM OVERSEES LEIGH MARCH ON TO THE TITLE

HUNSLET HAWKS 6 V LEIGH CENTURIONS 42
KINGSTONE PRESS CHAMPIONSHIP @ THE JOHN CHARLES CENTRE FOR SPORT
3 APRIL 2015 2PM

THE STAND AT THE JOHN CHARLES CENTRE FOR SPORT

The headline probably tells what will happen as nobody at the moment seems able to stop Leigh over 80 minutes.  But Hawks were comfortably in this game for 60 minutes it was only in the last twenty minutes when the Centurions superior fitness proved the difference as they ran away with a large points advantage.  The match to follow first the journey.
Good Friday brought about doubts on the train system but it proved to be unfounded as both out and return journeys were comfortably completed with a seat.  Upon arrival in Leeds a First Bus number 2 was taken to Middleton Road for departure to The South Leeds Stadium, now re branded The John Charles Centre for Sport after the famous Leeds, Juventus and Wales footballer. 

FIRST IMPRESSION OF THE STADIUM

The Championship match between champions elect Leigh Centurions and Hunslet awaited with a 2pm kick off.  The ground has a superb three sectioned stand which has seating for 3,000 but is the only accommodation for the game.  Following an exterior walk around the stadium perimeter the blog managed to get a few pictures of this superb looking stand from the opposite side.

A SIDE VIEW OF THIS SUPERB STAND

Without going into a boring history lesson Hunslet do have a superb story to tell which I urge you to take a look at but the club formerly played at their Parkside ground situated just a hop skip and a jump from their new home.  I love the story that one of Parkside's ends was called the Mother Benson End after the lady who lived in the cottages behind the sticks and did the kit wash!  Following the stand being severely vandalised in the early 1970's the club left and sold up and following a re birth played at Leeds Greyhound Stadium, Batley, Bramley and Leeds Utd's Elland Rd.  There is a great history of the Hunslet area being awash with industry and people streaming in to Parkside from all points, those were the days todays game saw just 1,132 attend and that included approximately 250 from Leigh.  No criticism is intended in that statement as todays fans are friendly and family orientated in their outlook.

SAYS IT ALL

The club although now in the Championship have won every rugby league trophy in their history and play in their evocative myrtle, white and flame [green, white and orange to you and me] but the descriotion  just adds to the feel about this club.
By 1995 the club became tenants at the new South Leeds Stadium, today the stadium as indoor facilities alongside an international size swimming pool, outdoor pitches and new indoor bowls arena.  The stadium also houses an athletics track and although this normally is a real downer for me in relation to football or rugby as the pitch can be so far away it is not the case here with some excellent commanding views from the impressive stand. 

YOU CAN JUST ABOUT SEE THE MARKETS...IF YOU LOOK VERY CLOSELY!

Entrance fee paid and programme purchased the curved staircase takes you either to the first level, which is split into two levels, or the top level which offers a commanding view of the playing area and to the left a superb overview of Leeds itself.  The rest of the stadium is not accessible with just grass banking and the floodlights being the highlights its a classic athletics stadium really but with this superb stand!

HARRY HAWK POSES FOR THE CAMERA....WATCH THE BIRDIE

Before the game started Hunslet mascot Harry Hawk was in flight around the stand and of course when he spotted the camera he flapped his wings in excitement and we obliged by taking his picture......now watch the birdie.

SIMON BROWN CONVERTS TO MAKE IT 6 ALL

So onto the game and with a few minutes to go to half time it was 0-0 an Hunslet were doing superbly well but just as it looked to be going in all level Oliver Wilkes went over with Martin Rudyard converting.  Half time was reached at 6-0 to the visitors, how would this affect Hunslet?
Well not to be worried they came out at full steam and levelled it with a try from Oliver Briscoe.  As Hunslet were now taking the game to Leigh the inevitable happened a moments lapse and Leigh snatched the lead just short of the hour mark with Martin Aspinwall going over and the ever reliable Ridyard converting.

MOI MOI ON THE CHARGE

From there on in Leigh's full time fitness took hold with Centurions running in 6 more tries and converting half of them.  But Hunslet's efforts were not to be ignored and Leigh's supporters were more than complimentary at the end of the home sides efforts, that said Centurions march to the title goes on and much like TNS in the Welsh Premier League [full time] they are looking an unstoppable force, certainly on the this showing and the previous game I had seen them at Featherstone.

CENTURIONS SHOW THEIR APPRECIATION FOR THE SUPPORT AT THE FINAL WHISTLE

Bus secured back to Leeds and the train was comfortably made to travel back to base.  Just as I settled in my seat the search was on for my ticket as the conductor danced his way down the train........Billy Tango was his name!  You surely couldn't make it up.
Another good day at rugby league I'm not sure why more people are not taking up this sport as a viewing spectacle its fast, entertaining and a friendly affair between the supporters.

CLOSING SHOT BACK END OF A BUS, THE NUMBER 2,
A CHANGE FROM THE TRAINS