Leigh Centurions 60 Swinton Lions 4

PAUL Terzis' future at Leigh may be open to debate but not his side's performance.

The Centurions blitzed a disappointing Lions outfit, who were completely outclassed by a side much fitter, stronger and faster.

After the Lions' impressive first win of the season over Keighley last week, Leigh must have expected a much sterner test, but with Willie Swann in outstanding form, the Centurions were never threatened.

The opening win in the first of their five Buddies National Cup qualifying games gave Leigh just the lift they needed after two successive defeats to Wigan and Huddersfield,

Terzis was delighted with his side's victory saying: "It was a good result considering we have a lot of injuries at the moment. It shows the depth of our squad and the ability of our players. The players put their hands up and showed me they want to be selected and it shows we can take a lot of positives out of the National Cup.

He was full of praise for scrum-half Swann's display, one of Leigh's most consistent performers this season. "It is Swann's best phase of rugby since he has been here. He puts a lot of hard work in and is a very professional player and his efforts are being rewarded."

Liam Bretherton grabbed the first of his hat-trick of tries in the 10th minute, but it was three touchdowns in the space of six minutes that put Leigh out of range. With stand-in goal kicker McCully adding four goals the Centurions were well in command at 24-4 at the break with a Jason Roach interception try all Swinton had to show for their efforts.

The Lions never gave up but the tries just kept coming as Leigh revelled in the dry weather to score a further seven touchdowns, while McCully banged over four more conversions.

As Terzis added: "Bring on the dry grounds and the sun for us, we perform much better in those conditions. The harder and faster the better."

Leigh: T: Bretherton (3), Whittle, Bristow, Swann (2), Isherwood, Bradbury, Rowley, Knox. G: McCully (8)