LEIGH Centurions set off on their Challenge Cup campaign on Sunday looking to make an even bigger impact in the competition than they did last season.
The Centurions struck a blow for the NFP a year ago when they dumped Super League neighbours Salford out of the competition in a televised fourth round tie before running an Allan Langer-inspired Warrington close in round five.
As he prepared his side for Sunday's tie against amateurs Halton Simms Cross, Centurions head coach Paul Terzis revealed that the newly-sponsored Nutri-Grain Challenge Cup is a competition that sets the pulses racing at Hilton Park.
"The players really want to make an impact again this year," he says. "They enjoyed the success of last season and was a sign of the progress the club had made.
"We want to safely negotiate Sunday's tie and then land a home tie against a Super League club in the next round. Nobody would fancy a trip to Hilton Park these days."
Although Leigh have been drawn away, the switching of the match to Widnes's AutoQuest Stadium suites the Centurions down to the ground.
"We enjoy playing at Widnes," Terzis says. "It's a good playing surface and good facilities. It will favour us rather than Simms Cross."
Coached by ex-Warrington hooker Chris Middlehurst, Simms Cross are the reigning North West Counties Premier Division champions and last year won the Ravensport Tough Tackle Trophy, awarded to the amateur team with the best defence in the country.
Middlehurst, who combines his duties with Simms Cross with the head coach role of BARLA Under 23s, can call on four ex-professionals. Former Warrington centre Brian Capewell is a strong running goal-kicker while ex-Widnes trio of Lee Ashton, Andy O'Neill and Paul Roberts will also be in the squad.
Terzis aims to send his strongest possible squad to Widnes but has ruled out Simon Baldwin, Chris Irwin and Dave Whittle.
Baldwin sits out a second successive game to rest a badly bruised elbow, Irwin has a torn hamstring and Whittle a calf problem. Also missing will be front rower Dave Bradbury who is serving a one match ban. But back come Neil Turley who has recovered from a bout of flu and Phil Kendrick who has missed the last five weeks because of slipped disc.
"We're very fortunate to have a strong squad at Leigh. All 25 have played some part already this season and no matter what 17 I decide on, they'll be capable of doing the job," adds Terzis.
"We'll treat Simms Cross with respect but if we play to our capabilities we can look forward to the next round with confidence."
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