Hood gives Leigh a head start

FORMER Swinton and Salford hooker Liam Hood has agreed a new two-year contract with the recently relegated Leigh Centurions.

The 25-year-old joined the club from Swinton in March 2016 and has scored nine tries in 39 appearances.

“I am delighted Liam is staying with us for at least another two years,” said Centurions head coach Neil Jukes.

“He built on his outstanding displays for Scotland in the Four Nations last year by having a solid season for us and I am confident Liam will continue to develop and improve his game at the rapid rate he has shown over the past few years.”

Hood was forced to withdraw from the Bravehearts side currently competing in the Rugby League World Cup to have surgery on a knee injury, but is expected to be fully fit for the start of the 2018 campaign in which Leigh will look to return to Super League at the first time of asking.

And the club will be facing a number of old faces at the Summer Bash in Blackpool, where they will close the action on Saturday, May 26 against Toronto Wolfpack, coached by ex-Leigh boss Paul Rowley.

Rochdale and Swinton contest a local derby on Sunday May 27, kicking off at 3.15pm.

Hornets will be without fan favourite Jono Smith, however, after failing to agree terms on a new deal at the Crown Oil Arena.

“Ultimately sport is a business and sometimes we have to say goodbye to people we don’t want to,” said coach Alan Kilshaw. “With salary cap and budget restrictions, we have been unable to come to an agreement with Jono.”