Leigh Centurions 54 Workington Town 12: Workington Town gave a brave performance in defeat and, but for injuries to three players and a makeshift backline, could have put a real challenge down to the full-time division leaders.

Early completions and good field kicking from Jarrod Sammut and Jamie Doran set the tone as overcast skies soon turned showery at Leigh Sports Village.

Town kept Leigh at bay until the 14th minute when hooker Ben Reynolds scooted over for the first of two tries and Lee Smith nudged over the first of nine goals.

At that stage there was no panic in the visitors’ ranks but the first disruption came in build up to the Centurions second try when Theerapol Ritson was forced off with a game ending injury.

Home centre Greg Worthington made the breakthrough following a flowing move involving half the Centurions back line.

A couple of minutes later, Worthington broke away and fed Aussie Josh Drinkwater to the line.

It was harsh after that earlier Cumbrian pressure and Leigh led 18-0 after 20 minutes.

Town had a couple of chances but couldn’t get points.

It was during this mid period of the half that there was another reshuffle, followed after Jack Muprhy hobbling off.

The fullback had battled gamely with a leg injury but a further heavy hit forced his withdrawal. Declan Hulme dropped to fullback and had a solid game.

In the 35th minute Leigh scored their fourth try when a smart Drinkwater kick for the corner was taken at pace by Liam Kay for Smith to goal from the touchline.

That gave Leigh a 24-0 lead at half-time. Despite being short handed in the backs, Workington came out for the second half a refreshed and determined side. They pressured and harried the Centurions, forcing a couple of mistakes.

With the tempo controlled, it gave Workington the chance to post points and this time, despite the deluge they delivered as a smart scrum, play put Hulme in space.

He drew two defenders and Jason Mossop stepped the cover for a smart try. Sammut goaled and the Cumbrians were finally on the scoreboard after 45 minutes.

This filled them with new hope and another raid brought a second try after 52 minutes when Sammut fed Perry Whiteley and the centre powered in for his seventh try of the season.

Sammut goaled and Workington were in the game.

The Centurions were rocking, although Drinkwater settled their nerves with a dash through the middle from 15 metres to go under the posts. He then forced a drop out after Olstrum conceded a drop out. It was the pressure Leigh needed for Reynolds to feed Tom Spencer to the line.

Workington then lost Marc Shackley to injury and looked to hold out only for the Centurions to run in three further tries from Adam Higson, Reynolds and Cory Paterson.

It was a harsh result for Town to take, but they can take the positives forward into next Sunday’s game with Swinton Lions.

Leigh: Smith, Higson, Worthington, Armstrong, Kay, Drinkwater, Burns; Moimoi, Reynolds, Weston, Maitua, Paterson, Evans. Subs: Ridyard, Hansen, Fash, Spencer

Tries: Drinkwater 2, Reynolds 2, Higson, Worthington, Kay, Paterson, Spencer; Goals: Smith 9

Workington Town: Murphy, Ritson, Hulme, Whiteley, Mossop, Doran, Sammut; Gordon, C Phillips, Shackley, B Phillips, Gee, McAvoy. Subs: Olstrum, Mattinson, Szostak, Verlinden

Tries: Whiteley, Mossop; Goals: Sammut 2

Referee: Scott Mikalauskas

Attendance: 3,002