LEIGH answered their critics in the only way they knew how.

A 42-10 mauling of Rochdale was more like the old Leigh -- and underlined that recent poor results were completely out of character.

They had the match in the bag by half-time and went on to win with plenty in hand: a result to put the smile back on the face of coach Paul Terzis.

He admitted: "After a poor run of results the pressure was on.

"But I was always confident our preparation was spot on and we would win comfortably.

"Part of the problem has been an hectic schedule. This was our fifth game in 15 days and it's taken its toll.

"But we've coped with it and come out of it on a a high. We know we've under-achieved recently."

It didn't take long for Leigh to rediscover their scoring touch. Inter passing between Adam Bristow and Simon Baldwin gave hooker Mick Higham the chance to slip out of two attempted tackles and go in for the opening try; Paul Wingfield landed the first of five goals.

Minutes later try poacher Higham swept in after good work by props Tim Street and Dave Whittle.

Leigh's confidence came flooding back and twice more before the break they ripped apart the Rochdale defence. Paul Anderson skittled two defenders for another TD, then Heath Cruckshank made an opening for skipper Andy Fairclough to sail clean through for a 24-0 lead.

"That was just the position we wanted to be in at half-time," said Terzis. "Defensively we were impeccable; they made only one break."

The second half didn't quite go according to plan. "Perhaps we opened the champagne a little early," added Terzis.

But at 30-0 he was able to sit back and relax, enjoying the game without any pressure. Wingfield's big jump to collect a crossfield bomb gave Leigh the big cushion.

Rochdale pulled a try back, but Leigh soon re-found their scoring touch with three more tries in seven minutes from David Ingram, Alan Cross (beating three men on a 50-yard solo run) and sub Radney Bowker.

Leigh took their foot off the gas, allowing Rochdale to hit back. But there was never any danger of a revival.

LEIGH: Donlan; Wingfield, Anderson, Cross, Ingram; Fairclough, Purtill; Street, Higham, Whittle, Baldwin, Cruckshank, Bristow. Subs: Murray, Causey, Norman, Bowker.

Pictured is prop Tim Street, always in the thick of the action against Rochdale Hornets