THE end of a season that promised so much has left Leigh with more questions than answers. How different it all should have been on Sunday.

The match that many predicted would be a celebration of Leigh's promotion was more akin to a wake. Just 821 hardy souls - the lowest gate of the season - bothered to turn up. And those that stayed away didn't miss much.

Those that did bother to bid farewell to a miserable first summer season will want some answers when the inquest starts.

What will happen to on-loan stars Tim Street and Jonathan Quigley? Will Tongan internationals Jimmy Veikoso and Tau Liku be back for another season? And would Leigh be able to stand in the way of coach Eric Hughes if a bigger and better job came up?

In their own way all would be missed. But it's hard to imagine Leigh making any impact in any division without the larger-than-life Street.

Although he has had his disciplinary problems this season - one sending off and three sin-binnings - Street showed remarkable self-control in the face of extensive provacation from Barrow.

Without Street's midfield drive, Leigh could well have been over-run as Barrow launched a strong second-half rally after the home side had swept into a 24-6 lead.

Leigh's defence was caught napping three times as Barrow got back to within touching distance.

Leigh managed to keep them at arm's length with three tries of their own for a 44-24 win...but it was hardly the stuff to get the fans flocking back.

Veikoso made the extra man from a scrum move to release David Ingram for the 23rd try of a productive season. Two minutes later Andy Cheetham shot through for a solo try and Mick Blakeley wrapped things up with a 78th minute touchdown.

On the debit side referee Steve Nicholson did little to help in the entertainment stakes, sin-binning four players for interference at the play-the-ball.

On the credit side Leigh winger Dean Purtill took his season's tally to 224 points. His eight goals and a try boosted his total to 11 tries and 90 goals in just 19 games since turning professional.

LEIGH: Cheetham; Burgess, Ingram, Veikoso, Purtill; Blakeley, O'Loughlin; Street (Goulding 78), Quigley, Liku (Cain 31), Ball (Mason 60), Hill, McGughan. Sub: Hadcroft. Attendance: 812.

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