IT DOESN'T take a rocket scientist to see why a fully fit Craig Dean is so crucial.

The scrum-half was in dazzling form at Barrow as Leigh cruised to a 44-26 win, their fourth successive Northern Ford Premiership victory.

Dean came up with two tries himself and had a hand in several others as Leigh dented Barrow's impressive home record for the second time in six weeks.

AND ALL THAT'S ON ONE LEG!

Dean is still playing with an ankle injury that could collapse at any time and put him out for the season. But Leigh are keen to make hay while Dean's sun shines.

"We know the risks involved," said coach Ian Millward. "But Craig has shown no discomfort in three games so far and, finger's crossed, he can get through the season.

"Today was a big game for him. In his two previous comeback games I just wanted him to ease himself back into it, but today I wanted him to attack the defence and put his foot on the pedal. I'm pleased to say he did that and we looked a real quality team on attack."

Nobody will argue with Millward on that score as Leigh rattled up eight tries, had two more disallowed and bombed a handful of other chances.

But the way the defence leaked four tries will be a worry.

Millward agreed: "Our defensive work wasn't good enough. We know we can defend better than that. But the pleasing thing was that twice in the game we backed ourselves into a corner by letting in soft tries, yet were able to recover and come out with a vital win."

Not many teams will go to Craven Park and score 40 points or more.

Leigh had 16 of those points on the board inside the first quarter with tries for Stuart Donlan, Deano and Tau Liku, who charged in from 35 metres.

The game was back in the melting pot as Barrow made the most of some wild defence, but Leigh shot clear with the first of Anthony Murray's two tries plus one from Jamie Kennedy, having his best game in Leigh colours.

Soft tries again let Barrow back into the picture. But once the attack again hit the gas, any doubts were quickly removed.

Andy Fairclough topped another fine game by beating three defenders and going in for his seventh try of the season, Dean charged over for his second and then turned provider again to get Murray across.

Leigh clearly thought they had done enough and switched off in defence to allow an injury-time touchdown.

LEIGH: Donlan; Wingfield, Ingram, Kendrick, D Purtill; Patel, Dean; Street, Murray, Whittle, Liku, Kennedy, Fairclough. Subs: Arkwright, Pucill, Bowker, Cruickshank. Attendance: 1,261.

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