THE party's over for Leigh Centurions. While they celebrated their Arriva Trains Cup victory long into the night on Sunday, it was quickly back down to business for Darren Abram and his side.
Coach Abram promises that there will be no sign of any cup hangover from his side when they return to league action against Oldham at Hilton Park this Sunday.
"We enjoyed the victory and the celebrations but it was back to work on Monday," said Abram.
With just eight games of the regular season left Leigh are in just the position they want to be, top of the table and on top of their game.
"Everything's going according to plan at the moment," Abram adds. "We set out to win the Arriva competition and now we turn our attention to our second target, the minor premiership. Finishing top of the table gives us the best and quickest route to the Grand Final which is our ultimate aim."
Leigh have handsomely beaten Oldham in their three previous meetings this season but know that Steve Molloy's side are capable of beating anyone on their day.
"They're in good form at the moment and will give us a rough ride, I'm sure," Abram adds.
But Molloy has numerous selection headaches, particularly at half-back.
His regular pairing of Simon Svabic and Ian Watson is unlikely to figure with Watson suffering from a neck injury that he picked up at Doncaster three weeks ago and which flared up again in their last game against Halifax. Svabic is also struggling with a recurrence of a knee injury while usual replacement Neil Roden has only played twice in the last three months because of ankle and shoulder trouble.
Molloy himself won't feature in the front row because of a shoulder injury but the Oldham player/coach has confirmed that Hilton Park old boy Jon Roper will be in the 17 after his move from Halifax.
But Leigh's confidence is sky high with seven successive wins behind them and unbeaten by National League opposition at Hilton Park all season.
Abram will be able to select from strength with Paul Rowley and Ian Knott coming through Sunday's final unscathed despite going into the game less that 100 per cent fit.
There's also a chance that Chris Percival, Leigh's top scorer with 15 tries until he was hurt seven weeks ago, could get a run with the senior side this weekend.
"Chris was close to playing in the final but with Rowley and Knott carrying injuries into the game and didn't want to take a risk with a third player," Abram revealed. "He's gone well again in training this week and he's knocking hard on the door."
Tommy's thank-you to fans
CENTURIONS president, Tommy Sale, has thanked Leigh supporters for the reception they gave him when he was inducted into the RL's Roll of Honour.
Tommy says: "I was completely overwhelmed. The icing on the cake was added when the team won the cup.
"I told Darren Abram before the game that my award would have paled into insignificance if the team would have lost. He informed me that he gave my message to the team before the game and they responded. I consider my award not just to Tommy Sale but for the Leigh club and its loyal supporters.
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