Leigh star Holmes primed for Wigan challenge after being belted by ref
Leigh's Oli Holmes has been battered by a referee so will be ready for anything Wigan throws his way on Thursday.
The one-time England international copped a right-hand in the face from official Ben Thaler in Saturday’s win at Hull FC. Around 50,000 people have watched the hilarious clip on Twitter. Holmes, 30, casually carried on walking after Thaler accidentally caught him in the chops when swinging his arm to award a penalty.
Amused fans have commented how the ex-Castleford second-row would be facing a four-game ban if things were the other way around. Asked if he thinks Thaler should be reprimanded, Holmes joked: “Yeah, I want him hung, drawn and quartered for that!
“No, I’ve known Ben for years. He’s from Normanton (in Wakefield), the same as me and I know his brothers. We have a good relationship. I didn’t say anything to him - I’d completely forgotten about it until that video came up - and we’d just given a penalty away so I was concentrating on getting set for that. But we can have a laugh about it. I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. And I just hope Ben’s hand is alright…”
Promoted Leigh have upset the odds by winning three of their last four games ahead of facing derby rivals Wigan. Holmes, who joined from Warrington in the off-season, said: “Not many people were tipping us to win many. But we always had the belief we could chalk up a few wins. And we know we can get better. We’re looking forward to facing Wigan.”
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Referee Ben Thaler accidentally hits Leigh's Oli Holmes in the face.Holmes made his debut in the opening night defeat against Salford but missed the next four games due to injury before returning against Hull. They defeated champions St Helens along the way so will be confident of giving Challenge Cup holders Wigan a run for their money in the eagerly-anticipated 'Battle of the Borough.'
Leigh hope to smash their Super League attendance record tomorrow and, after Scouting For Girls and T'Pau performed at their first two home games, indie pop band The Lottery Winners are the latest big gig lined-up for a live performance ready to get the crowd bouncing.
Holmes said: "A lot's gone on behind the scenes to create real events for our home games and there's been a lot of work put in . It really creates a buzz around the game day and credit has to go to (owner) Derek (Beaumont) and those who've worked on it. Hopefully we can pack out Leigh Sports Village and get the same bouncing atmosphere.
"The first game we did our warm-up away from the ground so I didn't see them but I didn't play against St Helens so I managed to sit and enjoy that. We'll be warming up when the set's on Friday so I won't be paying too much attention but it's great the club's getting these bands on."
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