Wigan St Pats look to halt Centurions

[League Express]

Wigan St Patrick’s face a tough task in their Tetley’s Challenge Cup third round tie when they take on high-flying Championship outfit Leigh Centurions at Leigh Sports Village on Friday March 14 (7.30pm), though Wigan forward Anthony Griffiths believes his side is ready for the challenge.  Griffiths, a former Leigh player, comes up against a side which has won all four of their opening games, scoring 184 points in the process.

 

“For us it is a huge occasion, and to face a side top of their league and in a rich vein of form gives it that added spice,” said Griffiths, who plays for the National Conference League Premier Division side.  Everyone at the club is looking forward to the match – there are definitely some in the squad hoping we can pull off a shock result.  But everyone knows how tough a match this will be and we all have our heads down so that we can be ready for the challenge.”

 

Wigan coach Dave Ruddy shares the enthusiasm of Griffiths and hopes some of his team’s rising stars can gain form the experience of battling with the Championship’s best on their own turf.  “Playing such a huge side at their ground is fantastic for our team,” said Ruddy. “Leigh have been truly brilliant - to be able to reverse the tie and go down to their place is the ideal outcome to the situation.  We have one or two young lads like Ryan Smith and Jayden Sanford who are performing to an extremely high standard at the moment. Both they and the rest of the team are relishing going head-to-head with seasoned professionals."

 

“In the past we have got to the professional rounds of the competition. As a team we have done well to get through to this stage again and it is obviously where you are likely to be tested by really good opposition.”