Leigh Centurions 58 Widnes Vikings U21s 12 by Mike Hulme: LEIGH Centurions' new midfield triangle of John Duffy, Tommy Martyn and Ian Knott is just the sort of combination that will make them major players again in the race for Super League.
Half-backs Duffy and Martyn and loose-forward Knott had a first half field day as Leigh wrapped up their pre-season games with a resounding win over Widnes U21s.
It will certainly have given 'spying' Elland coach Karl Fairbank plenty to think about ahead of their Powergen Challenge Cup visit to Hilton Park in a couple of weeks
Martyn laid on two tries in the first eight minutes, scored one himself after 14 - and at 18-0 it was game over.
Martyn, who played the full 80 minutes, held a pass back a fraction to get David Larder in for the first of 10 Leigh tries and then produced the sweetest of kicks that Neil Turley collected without breaking stride to score under the posts. A kick and chase was won by Martyn as Leigh picked up their third early try.
With Leigh's attack in full cry, Duffy and Knott created a try for Oliver Wilkes; Knott and Martyn got Chris Percival in and before half time Duffy had set up two more touchdowns for Turley and Dan Potter. With Turley kicking seven goals from seven shots, Leigh ended the half 42-0 up.
Second rower Wilkes again impressed with his aggressive running and keen defence on the right while Heath Cruckshank got through a mountain of work up the middle.
The young Vikings, who beat Chorley by two points at the weekend, made more of a game of it in the second half as a procession of substitutions disrupted Leigh's performance.
Hooker Dave McConnell's try, goaled by Martyn, made it 48-0 before two Widnes tries from Tim Holmes and Damien Turner, both goaled by David Welsh, gave them a reward for their efforts.
Leigh finished strongly with Knott putting Andy Isherwood in and Martyn's high pass finding Percival for his second. Turley landed an eighth goal for a match tally of 24 points.
The only downside for Leigh was a serious ankle injury for on loan winger Shane Irabor.
Team: Turley; Madden, Potter, Percival, Munro; Duffy, Martyn; Cruckshank, McConnell, Bradbury, Larder, Wilkes, Knott. Subs (all used): Knox, Coates, Isherwood, Callum, Alstead, Blackwood, Irabor.
Referee: Colin Morris.
Attendance: 607
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