In the end it was a 77th minute try from Whitehaven's Greg McNally, that finally determined the game, and although Leigh tried desperately to force extra time and had Dave McConnell over the try line but unable to ground the ball as the final hooter sounded, they realistically got what they deserved.


This was not the departure envisaged by players, club officials or fans as the heavy downpour for most of the game contributed to a damp squib of an occasion that saw Leigh skulk away from their beloved home rather than stroll triumphantly to a new era.
Not that there was any shortage of effort from the players, in particular Ian Mort, James Taylor, Aaron Smith, Mike Morrison, Mike Wainwright and Ian Watson. But it all seemed like the party had already taken place and somebody had called back the revellers to finish off the leftover ale and sandwiches.


The previous encounter, just three weeks ago had been celebrated as the last league game at Hilton Park, with Leigh's play-off future uncertain at the time, and with a parade of former Leigh legends, Whitehaven were never allowed to become the party poopers.
But a steady war of words had fired up the Whitehaven camp, and strengthened by the return of key players Tane Manihera and David Fatialofa they arrived for the game to find a Leigh side missing top strike players Dennis Moran and Toa Kohe Love through injury. And in the end that proved crucial.


The visitors gave early warning of their intent when taking the lead as early as the third minute when Manihera sent Howard Hill striding through the gap for a try that went ungoaled.
Leigh's response was almost instantaneous as Wainwright – operating at stand-off – put Adam Higson away and then supported to take the return pass and charge in for a try that Ian Mort goaled for the lead.
Leigh were being well served by Wainwright and Mort, with Watson desperately trying to get his pack moving, but apart from McConnell , they seemed just short on the fire to match the visiting six in which Leroy Joe at hooker and loose forward Saia Mikisi were outstanding.


A Manihera penalty levelled the sores only for Mort to reply and push Leigh in front again, but then Whitehaven hit back with a superb try from Ade Adibisi and Manihera goaled from the touchline.
Again Leigh came back and on 32 minutes a quickly taken tap saw Wainwright break and send Mort racing for the corner and sliding over the whitewash despite the attentions of full-back Gary Broadbent. Mort then superbly added the extras from the touchline via an upright to level the scores at 14-14 for the break.
It was Whitehaven again taking the lead on 47 minutes when an injury to Dave Alstead forced a reshuffle of the Leigh backline and before the players had settled, Rob Jackson got on the outside of newcomer Lee Marsh to put Adibisi in for his second try and a Manihera goaled try.
Within five minutes, Mark Roberts had responded as he stepped through the visitors defence with ease to grab another Mort goaled try to level again.


But from the restart Doran knocked on and McNally stepped up to land a penalty for the lead. Mort replied and Manihera and him exchanged more penalty shots as the game moved from end-to-end and each side looked desperately for the killer bow.
It came three minutes from time when Makisi finally made a half break, found the strong running Gorski in support and he then sent McNally racing away for the try that Manihera goaled.
Leigh put pressure on the Whitehaven line, but couldn't get the vital score and six decades of rugby league at Hilton Park were over.

Leigh Centurions: Mort; Alstead, Roberts, Higson, Maden; Wainwright, Watson; Hobson, McConnell, Morrison, Taylor, Doran, Smith; subs (all used): Marsh, Stewart, Hill, Cookson.
Tries: Wainwright (7), Mort (32), Roberts (51),
Goals: Mort 6/6

Whitehaven
Tries: Hill (3), Adebisi (24, 47), McNally (77),
Goals: Manihera 6/7, McNally 1/1,

Half time 18-4
Referee: Ronnie Laughton
Attendance 2,306