IT might only be viewed as a consolation prize, but Leigh's landslide 44-16 victory over promoted Rochdale again underlined why they deserved a place in Division One.

Pipped at the post on points difference by both Hornets and Hunslet, they went some way to putting the record straight with a commanding performance that makes a mockery of the fact that the sides will be a division apart next season.

The runaway win improved Leigh's chances of now reaching the knockout stage of the Premiership play-off.

They still have a lot of work to do to overhaul joint Lancashire Pool leaders Swinton and Keighley - but in this mood anything is possible.

Leigh were never in any trouble as they took the early sting out of the Hornets and then cut loose in the second half with an avalanche of points.

Aussie hooker Nick Jenkins set the tone with a smart fourth minute try and went on to give another stunning display.

Prop Andy Pucill wasn't far behind; back to his best after a few indifferent games. Safraz Patel and Chris Wilkinson might be at opposite ends of the age scale, but they are rapidly dovetailing into a useful pairing - certainly too good for the much-praised Hornets duo of Steve Gartland and Neil Flanagan.

Even though Leigh found themselves 6-4 down to the first of Jason Green's two tries, they soon had the match back under control when Street and Patel crossed for well-worked tries before half-time.

Hornets' challenge faded quickly after the break, especially after try poacher David Ingram had collected a double in a seven-minute spell.

Substitute Ian Hudspith and Jenkins both had tries disallowed, but, with Leigh's confidence soaring, they wrapped up the points when Stuart Donlan cut inside for a smart try and Tau Liku scored a trademark effort from close in.

Coach Keith Latham will be disappointed that some lazy defence let Green and Richard Pachniuck in for soft touchdowns. But with back-on-form Dean Purtill landing eight goals from nine shots to pass the 100 mark for the season, the margin of victory was just what Leigh deserved.

LEIGH: O'Loughlin; Purtill, Ingram, Hill, Donlan; Patel, Wilkinson; Street, Jenkins, Pucill, Daniel, Liku, Gunning. Subs: Aspinall, Conway, Costello, Hudspith.

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