Leigh and Halifax Win National League Finals

[GB Lion]

http://www.superleague.co.uk/news/200

Leigh 32 - 16 Whitehaven

What a game this was!!!! It went into extra time locked in at 16-16!!!
Leigh dominated the first 5 mins of the first half of extra time by scoring 2 tries and a field goal. Shame for Whitehaven, they were real strong in the first 20mins but then leigh woke up. So Leigh will be in ESL for 2005.

Halifax 34 - 30 York City Knights

Well what can i say, York were leading by 14 points with 14 points infront. then they blew it. Anyway IMO York were robbed by the Video Ref.

Im sure Bartman will have something to say about the Fax v York game.

 

[t-ba]

 

[Rich]

2 absolutely incredible games. Both losers will be gutted; Whitehaven and York were well unlucky.

 

[bartman]

I think I've recovered enough now to say congrats to Leigh and Fax on their wins! Good footy all round.

After losing the last two GFs, it's good for Leigh to make the step, and Whitehaven's time will come.

York and Halifax, what can I say? You've got to play for the full 80 mins when everything's on the line, and Halifax sure did that at the start and finish. Their comeback try didn't seem to be grounded, but in a game of that level York should have shown the mental strength to overcome that and focus on stemming the tide. And there were plenty of other York mistakes that let Fax back into it anyway.

Maybe next year they'll be good enough, despite losing coach Agar and Danny Brough to Hull?

 

[Hightown Tiger]

I attended all 3 finals.

Starting off, Coventry demolished Woolston Rovers. Standout player for Coventry was Johnson, their winger (he's now been linked with Swinton).

I then supported York in the NL2 final, but I felt that overral Halifax deserved to win, and it meaned a lot to their fans.

NL1 was yet another great final. I supported Haven in this game, and it was amusing to watch Tommy Martyn-for the first 30mins he didn't look interested. Then he gradually started annoying players (for example, pointing and laughing at Mick Nanyn when he knocked on). Tiwards the end, he was on top form.
It will be interesting to see how Neil Turley goes in ESL, as many people say he is ESL quality.

Bartman, do you think Danny Brough will get a game at Hull FC? I'd hate to see a talent like him wasted in the Hull academy.

 

[bartman]

HT, it just depends how he makes the adjustment to the higher level? He sure had the goods in NL2, but SL will be a different matter. Though with Agar onside he'll probably be more comfortable and ease into things, maybe pushing for a bench spot and trying for start by midseason?

In the halves Hull need someone to come in and make the spot alongside Horne their own. Motu Tony's option, but he's for mine his utility value would see him come on all over the field from the bench. Paul Cooke's OK too but might move to loose forward. I think Brough would offer more in the halves and add some attacking spark if he gels at the club.