Leigh Centurions 34, Batley Bulldogs 8

THE Bulldogs gave Leigh a nasty nip on the ankle before the Centurions realised you can take nothing for granted in the NFP.

The unbeaten league leaders were happy to hear the half-time hooter as they trailed unfancied Batley by 8-4. But they quickly got themselves back on track and a burst of three tries at the start of the second half set them on the way to an 11th straight league win.

"In a way I was glad to get the players in at half time," admitted coach Paul Terzis. "We addressed one or two areas and once we'd put this right, we were on our way," he said.

Admirably led by props Dave Bradbury and Jamie Gass, Leigh started the second half as though they meant business. "We needed to lay a platform before we started to move the ball about," added Terzis. "That was our problem in the first half, we were far too carefree without doing the hard work first."

Leigh couldn't have made a worse start, losing winger Alan Hadcroft with a dislocated shoulder inside the first two minutes; the re-shuffle leading to scrum-half Liam Bretherton spending the rest of the game on the wing.

It took them a long time but Leigh drew first blood in the 17th minute when Paul Anderson smashed his way through the cover for a 4-0 lead.

But the Centurions were quickly reminded that Batley can play a bit. Aussie scrum-half Glen Tomlinson's experience at the top level shone through and when he released full-back Craig Lingard on half way, Batley had tons of support before Lingard finished in the corner.

Six minutes later and with Anderson on his haunches injured, Batley used their extra man to squeeze Paul Gleadhill in at the other corner.

But Leigh were transformed after half time. Within 90 seconds they were back in front after Anderson's angled run set up the position for Bradbury to charge through for a try goaled by Simon Svabic.

Three minutes later Leigh were well on their way as Jamie Gass scattered the defence to crash in and Svabic added his second goal. 16-8 quickly became 22-8 as Svabic's reserve pass got Bradbury in for his second.

Although Leigh had a couple of scares midway through the half, Jason Johnson and Neil Turley, stopping certain tries, They finally put the result beyond doubt 11 minutes from time when a width of the pitch move saw winger Michael Watts burst clear.

Seven minutes from time Leigh again punished a tiring Batley defence as Anderson stepped through for his second try and Svabic potted goal number five.

Leigh: Turley; Hadcroft, Anderson, Bretherton, Watts; Svabic, Purtill; Leathem, Hamilton, Bradbury, Baldwin, Morley, Bristow. Subs: Gass, Kendrick, Duffy, Johnson. Attendance: 2619.