Panthers edge closer to elusive 1st win.

Leigh Centurions 26 points Blackpool Panthers 6

For the second game in succession Blackpool Panthers gave opposition from a higher division more than a run for their money. In the final group game of the Northern Rail Cup, Super League hopefuls Leigh Centurions were matched all the way by their lowly visitors.

New Zealand international Toe Kohe Love opened the scoring after 8 minutes with a slick try in the corner and although former Blackpool player Lee Marsh missed the conversion the 1725 crowd waited for the floodgates to open.

The 2008 Panthers are made of much sterner stuff than their predecessors and the more than match their opponents with a stirring defensive display that kept the home side at bay until the final second of the half when with the time keeper pressing the half time hooter. Kohe Love dashed over close to the posts and Marsh converted to give the hosts a flattering 10-0 interval lead.

With their first touch of the ball in the second half Kris Ratcliffe finished off a fine Panthers move to score in the corner with John Leather adding a fine touchline conversion to reduce the arrears to 10-6. Panthers joy was short lived as Arron Smith scored from close range with Marsh missing an easy conversion to leave the score at 14-6 after 44 minutes.

The Panthers held firm until the 60th minute and were in fact on the attack when substitute Anthony Stewart intercepted 10 yards from his own line and although he did not quite have the legs to reach the other end he fed scrum half Martin Keavney who score under the posts for Marsh to add the extras.

Lee Marsh then completed the scoring after 69 minutes by converting his own try.

A 26-6 defeat away to 1st division promotion hopefuls is a result that continues to bring hope that the Panthers 43 match winless run is close to being ended, and they travel to Swinton on Good Friday, for their opening league game full of hope and expectation.

Panthers Team
Munro, Kirby, Killgannon, Jones (Carl), Leather, Duell, Gambles, Warriner, Clough, Fairhurst, Kay, Ratcliffe, Bowland.

Subs
(All used) Tunstead, Barton, Wallace (Mike). Jones (Gareth).