Perhaps the identity of the finalists is not so big a surprise after all.

Anybody really think that a shock result is coming next week?

Narp, I would rather play Batley than Fev any day of the week. The Flat Cappers are always capable of springing a surprise, but Batley is an arm wrestle down the centre of the park which will assist Leigh.

Congratulations to Batley Bulldogs and can't wait for next week.

Great result from Batley and fully deserved. Can I see an upset next week,hopefully not.

I honestly believed all week that Batley would win today. Once I saw the Fev 17 I was even more sure.
If we play our game, we win, again no doubt
BUT
Batley are a team of fighters with nothing to lose. They proved today that they can score tries. Don’t give them a sniff boys !

46-10 to Leyth.

In his post match interview, Lingard admitted that he thought Batley could beat Featherstone in the effort areas. He was right. That Featherstone team have had an attitude problem ever since we beat them comfortably in two games in a short space of time, beginning with the 1895 cup.

They will not be able to beat Leigh with the effort areas, with physicality or with skill. We will win comfortably.

I'm not an arrogant person, but I can clearly see what is in front of me and we've worked hard all season in the effort areas, that will not change for the final. Batley will give us a game for 20-30 mins but we will run out comfortable winners again.

Leigh 58 Batley 8

Hard to argue with any of that, hope this and other comments are not pinned on the Batley dressing room wall - although they would likely agree with them

Batley already have all the motivation they need. Motivation and effort won't let them down, but both will at least be matched by Leigh and we've got massive advantages in experience, physicality and skill.

I've never seen any signs from this team that they believe the hype. They know they win through effort in all areas of the game, we have a very honest and hard working set of players.

We collect our crown next weekend, barring one of the biggest upsets of all time.

Very dignified reaction on the Fev forum on TRL for which Bongser commended them and said that he'd rather face Batley than Fev in the winner takes all game. Didn't post that we'd win, but it is expected and Batley play hard but fair - Big Mac's dirty tricks will not come into play and, now that his legendary status as prime play off planner has finally been exposed as baloney, maybe he'll find himself back with his old chum in the far South West of England next season!

Very poor performance from Fev given the money on the park. No hills at the LSV.

Great display by Batley.Fev seemed to have forgotten the previous games against Batley until it was to late

Next Sunday will be a funny old game (Saint). A good few Leigh players including fan faves will, more than likely, be playing their last game in our C&W and, due to quota restrictions in SL, playing to win will be playing themselves out of a gig. The club have one (maybe two should the Lam jnr case be ruled favourably) quota spot left unfilled and that might prove an inspiration.

Back in ‘16 when half the regulars had already been tapped up by Toronto, some (notably Beswick & Kay) became liabilities, others (Worthington et al) continued giving 100% to the cause right to its successful conclusion. Of the three above named, guess which one Bongser still remembers fondly.

Lam snr seems to have built a team and indeed a squad who are more than that. They play for their mates and for this season’s target, this project.

Bongser expects every man to do his duty, deliver a comfortable home victory and furthermore deliver Leigh from the second tier.

Suitably Nelsonian was that Bongser. Very stirring and, if i might add, a nice (Nelson) touch

Any info on how ticket sales are going? Are we opening the South Stand for Batley fans?

Presumably left handed, Jack. A certain Billy Connolly routine springs to mind!

Ignoring IMG for the mo, Bongser is buzzing tonight. He has persuaded his Chorley based, lapsed Leytholic, younger brother to attend his first match since the Hilton Park days. He needs to see this version before it is broken up - and may be re-enthused.

Excellent effort. Hope Young Bongser enjoys the game. With a bit of luck he will be won over and will come back for future games.

I see the Club have announced over 4000 tickets sold for the game which is a good start. Hopefully, we can get at least another couple of thousand in by the time of the game. Crikey, if the fans cannot come for this one then they are never going to come!

Over 5,000 tickets sold, fewer than 50 remaining in the North Stand

Looking at leightickets.co.uk:

[list[*North stand completely sold out.
[/*:m
[*West stand has a fewer than 50 seats left, which are mostly individual and is effectively sold out.
[/*:m
[*Northern half of Lord Peter Smith (East) stand now on sale.
[/*:m
[*South stand is unallocated so there's no indication online about how many tickets Batley have sold. Hope their fans are going to turn out in numbers.[/*:m[/list:u

Great to see ticket sales going so well.
I will be hoping to get a decent stream and regardless have internet radio coverage on for the game.
To everyone on here (and everyone going to the game), enjoy the day, enjoy the game, and trust that this team will deliver.
Derek, Chris Chester, Neil Dukes and Adrian
Lam built this team for this game (and for some, beyond). They will not fall !
Up The Comics
Up The Leythers.

I thought that for the last game at Hilton Park, where was everyone? I was there as a Leigh supporter.

I have to laugh, the facebook banter page have posters having a moan about glory hunting fans buying tickets for the game. Then on other posts, moan when crowds are low.

They are the ones who say to their mates,” Did you see my post, I towd um?”

There was a survey done a few years ago and lit looked into historical average attendances. I seem to remember Championship winning season , average was just over 6 thousand and the following season 4500. Granted this was 40 years ago and serves little relevance today but I sometimes think we set the bar too high in expectations. Anything over 6500 based on a population of around 60,000 isn’t that bad

Our average in 81/82 was 5939.

Quote ="Bartholemew Smythe"Our average in 81/82 was 5939.'" Google got the better of me after I posted and came up with a different figure, but both in the same ball park I guess. I’m sure there will be other sites showing different stats , but it does show in my life time at least , Leigh have never had a massive following. https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seas ... mmary.html

Quote ="Bartholemew Smythe"Our average in 81/82 was 5939.'" Google got the better of me after I posted and came up with a different figure, but both in the same ball park I guess. I’m sure there will be other sites showing different stats , but it does show in my life time at least , Leigh have never had a massive following. https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seas ... mmary.html

Quote ="Lower Creaser"Google got the better of me after I posted and came up with a different figure, but both in the same ball park I guess. I’m sure there will be other sites showing different stats , but it does show in my life time at least , Leigh have never had a massive following. https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seas ... mmary.html'" Funnily enough, Wigan, Saints, Leeds and Warrington didnt crack any pots in the Early 80's either. The only clubs of any decent attendances were the Humberside clubs. Attendances throughout the RL world were well spread out though. Even the Div 2 clubs had decent crowds.

Quote ="Lower Creaser"Google got the better of me after I posted and came up with a different figure, but both in the same ball park I guess. I’m sure there will be other sites showing different stats , but it does show in my life time at least , Leigh have never had a massive following. https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seas ... mmary.html'" Funnily enough, Wigan, Saints, Leeds and Warrington didnt crack any pots in the Early 80's either. The only clubs of any decent attendances were the Humberside clubs. Attendances throughout the RL world were well spread out though. Even the Div 2 clubs had decent crowds.