Rugby league: National League One by Martin Morgan

Last updated 10:27, Thursday, 08 May 2008

HAVEN overturned a 16-8 half-time deficit in a pulsating clash featuring a handful of controversial refereeing decisions.

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Offload: Try scorer Carl Rudd

Ref Jamie Leahy failed to endear himself to the Haven faithful in the first half, and he was flanked by stewards as he left the field at the interval.

Early in the second half, he would not have won a popularity poll with Leigh fans, either, after red-carding prop Mike Morrison for running in to punch Ryan McDonald.

After the dismissal, Haven took more control of the match, following a pretty even, and entertaining, first period.

Haven had enjoyed an extended 11-day break ahead of the game and they were quick out of the traps against a talented Leigh outfit.

The Centurions have not enjoyed the best start to the season, but with the likes of Dennis Moran and Toa Kohe-Love in their ranks, there’s little doubt they will be in the end-of-season shake-up.

They boast a huge pack of forwards, led by Gareth Price and Mike Wainwright, which was sure to mean an intriguing battle up front on Monday.

After Leigh’s first set, the hosts had three on the spin, only to lose possession when the ever-improving Saia Makisi’s attempted one-handed offload failed to find Craig Calvert.

But on the next Leigh set, as they tried to work the ball from deep, Makisi intercepted Moran’s looping pass and touched down between the sticks.

Rudd converted but the visitors were soon on level terms. Hooker Dave McConnell capitalised on a spell of pressure to spin over from dummy-half, Ian Watson adding the extras.

A Rudd penalty for offside edged Haven in front, and they could have extended their lead on the back of a great David Fatialofa drive.

But when the prop handled again in the set, his pass went to a defender and Leigh survived.

Moran was prevented from producing much of his best work, though as Haven coach Ged Stokes warned pre-match, the ex-Wigan star has lost none of his ability.

And it was his break that set up his side’s second try. He somehow squeezed through two defenders and centre Adam Rudd fed his winger Chris Giles.

Later in the set, McConnell put Morrison in for a try. Watson’s conversion put the Centurions 12-8 up. Some Haven fans were screaming for an infringement, and supporters were furious again on the next set.

Kohe-Love appeared to knock-on as he gathered Marc Bainbridge’s grubber close to his own line.

But he flipped a pass to winger Dave Alstead who went the length of the pitch to score.

It was one of those tries crying out to be referred to the Super League ‘video ref’, but Monday’s officials had no such luxury.

The second half started with a confrontation between McDonald and big Price, but fellow front-rower Morrison then rushed in and landed a punch on the Haven man.

Morrison was dismissed while Price and McDonald were yellow-carded.

Haven were awarded a penalty from which centre Rob Jackson did well to hold off the cover and crash over.

The hosts were enjoying a purple patch, with Calvert next to cross, off Bainbridge’s measured pass.

Rudd’s goal put his side in front, but the best was still to come.

The ball must have passed through the hands of virtually every player in a fantastic move as Haven stretched the Leigh defence before Jackson put Ade Adebisi in at the corner.

A great chip over his marker by Calvert, who re-gathered, saw Carl Rudd set up Graeme Mattinson, but his try was ruled out for a forward pass. Rudd was on hand again moments later, after great footwork from Leroy Joe, who had another solid game, to touch down.

Rudd converted, and there was still time for another 40-metre break from the evergreen Howard Hill, who was dragged down just five metres short of the line.

Two minutes later, Mattinson had another try ruled out, this time for bouncing the ball under heavy pressure.

In the closing seconds, Rudd’s attempted 40-metre angled penalty goal, which if successful would have denied the visitors a bonus point, fell short.

Leahy was given another escort off the pitch at full-time, though fans who earlier had jeered the official, were now too busy cheering their team to care.

Haven had come through a stern examination against a talented team. On this evidence, it would be a surprise if both don’t finish in play-off positions.

Haven: Broadbent, Adebisi, R Jackson, Makisi, Calvert, Rudd, Bainbridge, Edmondson, Mattinson, McDonald, Hill, Miller, Joe. Subs: Sice, McAvoy, Gorski, FatialofaTries: Makisi, R Jackson, Calvert, Adebisi, RuddLeigh: Moran, Giles, Rudd, Kohe-Love, Alstead, Marsh, Watson, Morrison, McConnell, Price, Wainwright, Doran, Smith. Subs: Mort, Taylor, Hill, HobsonTries: McConnell, Morrison, Alstead

Goals: Rudd 4

Goals: Watson 2

Attendance: 1,706

Referee: Jamie Leahy

Star Man: Leroy Joe