Leigh Centurions 12 Salford City Reds 32 by Mike Hulme: SALFORD looked every bit as good as their odds-on quote for a rapid return to Super League as they obliterated their closest rivals to take over at the top of the table.

The Reds full-time squad ripped Leigh apart in the opening half hour, building up a commanding 20-0 lead. Leigh came back strongly but that 20-point start proved to be Salford's final winning margin.

It was a miserable afternoon for Leigh who not only lost their unbeaten home record which stretches back to last season, but saw two more players taken to hospital.

Influential half-back Pat Weisner has a suspected fractured cheekbone while centre Alan Hadcroft dislocated a toe.

While Salford dominated most phases of the game, Leigh know their under-performed. Coach Paul Terzis said: "What we did with the ball today was disappointing. You could say that either Salford defended well or that we executed poorly. I think it was the latter."

Leigh were outplayed in the key areas with Salford halves Cliff Beverley and Gavin Clinch and the centre of their attacking plays. Beverley opened the scoring in the 11th minute and soon afterwards Clinch raced in for a 12-0 scoreline.

Alan Hunte raced in for another and Danny Arnold added a controversial fourth when Damian Munro was adjudged to have spilled the ball over his own line. Two goals from Chris Charles saw Salford 20-0 up inside half an hour.

Leigh gave themselves a sniff of a comeback by scoring twice before half time. Sean Richardson muscled over from close ranger and top scorer Munro raced clear from 40 metres after intercepting a loose Salford pass, Two goals from Weisner closed the gap to eight points.

But Leigh were nilled in the second 40 minutes as Salford gradually stretched their advantage.

Charles (2) and Steve Blakeley added penalty goals and 11 minutes from time the telling try came from Jason Flowers.

Leigh had their moments in the second half but squandered far too much possession for their own good and had Salford not had three tries wiped out for forward passes, the final outcome would have been beyond 50.