LEIGH Centurions look almost certain to reach the Trans-Pennine Cup Final for a second successive year after their stunning 44-18 victory at Oldham on Sunday.

Leigh, the only NFP club with a 100 per cent record intact after Keighley were held 22-22 by Featherstone, now have two home league games to come against Workington and Rochdale.

The Trans-Pennine Final is contested by the two teams at the top of the respective East and West divisions after the first nine rounds of the season. In that period teams West of the Pennines play eight games, while those East of the Pennines play nine times.

Leigh, with Australian coach Paul Terzis proving an excellent tactician, head the West division with 12 points from their six wins while Oldham are second with eight points from five and Widnes third with six from five. Leigh's points difference of +158 to Oldham's +14 leaves them probably only needing to beat Workington this weekend to make them uncatchable.

The battle East of the Pennines is much tighter with three teams all in contention.

Keighley are still in the driving seat but on Sunday travel to Doncaster. If they go down to the Dragons, everything could hinge on the game between Doncaster and Dewsbury at Belle Vue on February 4.

Leigh and Dewsbury contested the inaugural TPF last April when they lost 10-8 at a waterlogged Ram Stadium.

No firm decision has yet been made on where this season's final would be staged. But two months ago then APC chairman Bob McDermott said the final would be on a neutral venue with prizemoney for the winners. Since then, however, McDermott has been replaced by Oldham's Chris Hamilton.