Leigh Centurions 42 Hull KR 14: IF history repeats itself Leigh will be in Super League next season.

Huddersfield and Salford have set the precedent in the past two seasons with the Arriva Trains Cup winners going on to win the Grand Final to join the elite division.

Can Leigh now follow suit?

Judging by the way they are wiping the floor with good opposition these days, it's hard to argue that Leigh won't achieve their ambition. And after they heartache of three Grand Final defeats in the last four years, few would begrudge them a chance to rub shoulders with the big boys for the first time in a decade.

So often the bridesmaids when reaching the big stage, Leigh now look as though they know how to win big games.

But while they will rightly enjoy their Arriva Trains success they know that the job's only half done.

"Win or lose we didn't want this game to distract us from where we want to go this year and that is Super League," said coach Darren Abram. "It is just one step along the road and hopefully the lads will remember the feeling of winning a big final when it comes down to the nitty-gritty at the end of the season.

"As a player and a coach you don't get too many opportunities to compete in the final and we were determined to make the most of it. It was a big day for myself and I have a lot of senior players who helped take some of the weight off me. Today was all about teamwork.

"It was a new experience for me but one I thoroughly enjoyed. I can't wait for October to hopefully sample it again."

Abram's coaching assistant, Tommy Martyn, was one of those influential figures who steered Leigh to their first piece of silverware for three years. Martyn's first half field goal, described by Abram as ' a flash of brilliance' cemented Leigh's great start and he thoroughly deserved his late try for a typical, classy display.

His half-back partner John Duffy wasn't far behind, laying on Leigh's first two tries while the surprise appearance of Paul Rowley after a serious knee injury gave the side a huge psychological boost. Even though he wasn't quite as mobile as usual, Rowley on one leg can still cut it with the best and his first major medal was a reward for guts and bravery.

But for sheer perspiration and inspiration look no further than Oliver Wilkes. Signed as a relative unknown from Keighley, Wilkes is fast developing into one of the best second rowers outside Super League. Strong running and hard-hitting, Wilkes was in everything and thoroughly deserved his man of the match award.

But it was a tight run thing between him and Danny Halliwell whose two first half tries, coupled with some punishing defence, set Rovers back on their heels early on.

Leigh probably felt it was going to be their afternoon when they hit the front after just 85 seconds. Dale Holdstock conceded a penalty, Martyn hoofed the ball 60 metres into touch and from the tap Duffy's peach of pass sent Halliwell clean through to the line for a try goaled by Turley.

With Rovers barely able to catch their breath, Martyn put over a 30-metre field goal virtually off his backside, to confirm Leigh's flying start. When Halliwell broke infield after good work by Ian Knott and Wilkes, Duffy was able to lay off the perfect inside pass for Simon Knox to gallop over. Another conversion from Neil Turley and it was 13-0 inside 10 minutes.

Rovers never recovered from Leigh's lightning start. They struggled to complete their sets in the face of Leigh's strong defence and they only opened their account with a Lynton Stott penalty.

Leigh's point-a-minute start continued when Rovers again spilled possession coming out of their own '20' and Halliwell showed great footwork to cut through and score. Turley's touchline conversion made it 19-2 and moments later he knocked over a field goal to make it 20-2.

A rare Leigh error presented Rovers with their first try. An intended 40/20 from Martyn fell the wrong side of the line and from the resulting scrum Paul Mansson's sharp pass put Craig Poucher clean through for a try goaled by Stott.

Leigh, though, finished the half well on top. Not for the first time Martyn and Duffy combined sweetly in midfield. Paul Parker over-committed himself in defence and Ben Cooper gratefully accepted the opportunity to make it 26-8 at the break.

Rovers began the second half much better than they had the first and briefly pegged Leigh back to 26-14 after Turley lost his radar and found himself bundled into touch near the corner flag. A neat pass from Andy Smith saw Scott Thorburn race in for another try goaled by Stott.

Rovers somehow managed to keep in the game as Turley and Rowley both had tries disallowed. Turley was ruled off-side after collecting Martyn's banana kick while Rowley knocked on as he tried to dive on a loose ball. Inbetween Rowley's superb work from dummy half enabled Turley to glide over for his 20th try of the season and his conversion effectively ended the contest.

Rovers wasted a couple of good chances as Mansson and Phil Hasty began to influence things but Leigh rediscovered their early clinical finishing with two more tries in the last 10 minutes.

Rob Smyth's long break set up the position from where Martyn was able to show the ball and ghost between two started defenders to get the try his performance deserved. No long afterwards prop Knox collected his second of the game when he benefited from some handling by Duffy and Cruckshank.

Scorers: Leigh - Tries: Halliwell (2, 19), Knox (10, 75), Cooper (38), Turley (50), Martyn (70). Gls: Turley 6/9. FG: Martyn, Turley.

Hull KR - Tries: Poucher (23), Thorburn (44). Gls: Stott 3/3.

Leigh: Turley; Potter, Halliwell, Cooper, Smyth; Duffy, Martyn; Knox, Rowley, Sturm, Larder, Wilkes, Knott. Subs (all used): McConnell, Swann, Marshall, Cruckshank.

Hull KR: Poucher; Pinkney, Parker, Golden, Stott; Mansson, Hasty; Aizue, Thorburn, Aston, Holdstock, Smith, Gallagher. Subs (all used): Calland, Seibold, Watene, Fletcher.

Penalties conceded: Leigh 5, Hull KR 4

Handling errors: Leigh 7, Hull KR 11

Half time: 26-8

Full time: 42-14

Attendance: 4383

Referee: Colin Morris (Huddersfield).

Man

rDARREN Abram called it a victory for teamwork. In a way he was right. But in that team there were one or two exceptional performances. None moreso than Oliver Wilkes who must be the best second rower outside Super League.

Magic

rMARTYN'S late try had all the hallmarks of a master craftsman on top of his game and rounded off a wonderful afternoon for the Leigh club.

Moan

rTHE handful of morons in Rovers colours who actually managed to start fighting among themselves. The club clearly has a problem that needs addressing quickly.