Rams leave champions Leigh with heads held high

However, Dewsbury left Lancashire with their heads held high having pushed the Centurions all the way.

Dewsbury battled back from 12-0 down to level 10 minutes into the second half.

The Rams were on attack once again when Ryan Brierley intercepted a pass and raced 60 metres to score a decisive try.

It sparked a spell which led to a further three Leigh tries in nine minutes to put the game to bed.

Ben Reynolds crossed on the hour before two quickfire Brierley tries saw him complete a 14-minute hat-trick.

Ryan Fieldhouse crossed for a 70th minute Rams try but Sam Hopkins replied at the other end as Leigh supporters celebrated their side clinching the league leaders shield.

Reynolds ended with six conversions from seven attempts before Joel Farrell bagged a late consolation for Dewsbury.

Leigh had made a quick start as Tom Armstrong was on the end of a lovely move to score a first minute try, with Liam Kay crossing soon after and two Reynolds goals put the Centurions in control.

Dewsbury battled superbly as Farrell barged over and Dale Morton latched onto an Anthony Thackeray pass to score either side of half-time.

Brad Delaney converted both tries to level at 12-12 but Brierley’s 55th minute interception try sparked a Centurions victory which takes them into the Super Eights with confidence.

Leigh Centurions: McNally; Higson, Pala, Armstrong, Kay; Reynolds, Brierley; MoiMoi, Higham, Acton, Sarsfield, Haggerty, Wilkes. Subs: Beswick, Aspinwall, Hopkins, Spencer.

DEwsbury Rams: Fieldhouse; Morton, Dunn, Hale, Scott; B Delaney, Thackeray; Nash, Conroy, Hepworth, L Adamson, T Adamson, Brown. Subs: J Delaney, Farrell, Muranka, Smith.

Referee: Chris Leatherbarrow.

Attendance: 3,244