Leigh Centurions 46, Swinton Lions 4

YOUNG Neil Turley is fast emerging as a one of Leigh's new heroes.

The full-back, in only his fourth senior game, is the buzz of Hilton Park after claiming a stunning hat-trick as Leigh demolished previously unbeaten Swinton.

A sensational 22 minutes spell in the first half when Leigh piled on 34 unanswered points settled Leigh's fourth win in a row and took them to second place in the NFP table.

And on the form of those 22 minutes there isn't a side in the division that could live with them.

Turley wasn't on his own as Leigh destroyed Swinton almost at will. Second rower Simon Baldwin ripped the Lions left-side defence to shreds with his powerful running, Simon Svabic ran the show in midfield as well as landing six goals and subs John Duffy and Dave Bradbury also played leading roles.

There was little indication of what was to follow as Leigh struggled to put their game together in the first 18 minutes, but once Dave Whittle had crashed in for the first try, they suddenly found their best attacking form.

Four minutes later the torrent of points was well underway. Hooker John Hamilton picked up his first try for the club before Leigh produced a length of the field handling move right out of the top drawer which ended with the impressive Alan Hadcroft finishing off at the side of the posts.

An 18-0 lead quickly became 22-0 as winger Dave Jones scored in the corner.

By half time Leigh were out of sight. Turley started and finished a move from deep inside his own half for 28-0 and just before the break Baldwin sent the supporting full-back in for his second and a 34-0 half time margin.

Although Leigh never managed to reach the same heights in the second half, they were never in any trouble.

Paul Anderson swept in early on to stretch the lead to 40 points but Leigh had to wait until the final minute for their eighth try, Turley latching onto a deep kick to complete his hat-trick.

Swinton's only reply had come in the 61st minute when second rower Phil Cushion crossed wide out after some clever player by John Paul Doherty and Andy Cheetham.