LEIGH Centurions' Senior Academy made it third time lucky to destroy a spirited Dewsbury side 54-6 in the First Division Grand Final writes Dave Parkinson

After defeats in successive Grand Finals by Hull KR and Featherstone, the Centurions Under 19s now qualify to play in next season's Super League Academy competition.

Darren Abram's team have now also gone through an entire season with a 100 per cent winning record.

On Sunday, Leigh scored 10 tries, yet early on they were given a torrid time by the visitors who actually took a second minute lead when Adam Chappell kicked through for Craig Miles to touchdown. Michael Hill converted and Dewsbury led 6-0.

"Believe it or not we'd practiced to stop that very move all week," said coach Darren Abram. "It is something that they do very well. Conceding an early try does sometimes make you question if you have got things right but we prepared well for the game and had a good warm-up session."

H

e added: "We played some superb rugby at times but at other times we didn't play so well, I guess that's typical of finals rugby."

Inspired by some excellent work around the ruck by Martin Meadows, Leigh wrestled control of the game back with tries from Darren Woods after 12 and 19 minutes. Particularly in the opening half, Dewsbury couldn't get to grips with Woods. His powerful running was a thorn in the Rams side all afternoon and he eventually finished with four tries in his first start for the club in the centre position.

A

third Centurion try followed from Eric Andrews before visiting skipper Mike Gibbons was sin-binned for a late tackle on Lee Sanderson after a kick forward by the scrum-half. During his absence Leigh scored further tries through Andrews and Steven Bennett as Sanderson bounced back well from the foul. Just before the break Leigh had strong claims for another try turned down when Chris Mellor was brought back three tackles by the referee and touch-judge for a forward pass some 40 metres away.

Despite the disappointment of not being awarded that try, Leigh held a commanding 28-6 lead.

The second half began in superb fashion for the home side when Keiron Maddocks collected a high kick-off and raced into the Rams 20 metre area. Two tackles later Maddocks scooted over and Sanderson made it 34-6 with the boot.

By this stage Leigh knew they had the game won but Dewsbury battled manfully with Craig Miles, Danny Smith, Adam Chappell and Ashley Fortis all putting in huge efforts for the visitors. Woods added another two tries to his tally to complete a superb quartet but the Centurions still weren't done.

Half-backs Bennett and Sanderson linked superbly with Ian Hodson in midfield and a fine passing move ended with Chris Smith putting Mellor over for a try that on this occasion, even satisfied the match officials. Again Sanderson was at the hub of the Centurions final try when he cut loose on halfway to feed Meadows the try his efforts deserved. Sanderson added his seventh goal.

Abram added: "Darren Woods had an excellent game with ball in hand and Sandy gave us great direction but we had a lot of good performances today. Pete Fairhurst played his first game in a month and really worked hard, Danny Mole gave his usual effort; Martin Meadows crafted away, Keiron Maddocks was full of running and Anthony Blackwood did everything asked of him.

"Having reached this stage twice before only to lose, it was good to have that monkey lifted off my back."

Leigh: Eric Andrews (2T), Mark Leigh, Darren Woods (4T), Chris Mellor (T), Chris Smith; Steven Bennett (T), Lee Sanderson (7G); Pete Fairhurst, Martin Meadows (T), Lee Rowley, Danny Mole, Anthony Blackwood, Ian Hodson. Subs: Sean Prescott, Keiron Maddocks (T), Peter Clark, Chris Baines.