Centurions face slog to finish in top four slot for Super 8s

DESPITE winning handily at home to Swinton, Leigh have endured a tough weekend in the Betfred Championship, with results elsewhere conspiring against the Kieron Purtill’s side.

London overturned a 7-0 half-time deficit away at Featherstone to win 14-7, while Halifax scored late to secure a hard-fought 19-14 victory over Toulouse.

That means the Centurions are now highly unlikely to finish in the top four – which secures a spot in the Super 8 Qualifiers – and, perhaps more importantly for a team consisting of high-profile players on big contracts, significantly greater central funding.

Leigh are just a point behind Toulouse, London and Halifax – all tied for second on 31 points – but will need to hope one of those three lose to Dewsbury, Barrow and Rochdale respectively next weekend, and make sure they pick up a win at home to Sheffield.

Featherstone could also have a further say in the final reckoning. They’re level with the Centurions on 30 points and have a better points difference, but face the toughest away trip of the year against the League Leaders Shield winners, Toronto, over in Canada, where the Wolfpack have never been beaten.

Matty Dawson-Jones and Craig Hall scored two apiece, while Harrison Hansen, Bodene Thompson, Liam Hood, Peter Mata’utia and Drew Hutchison all crossed for Leigh on their way to a 50-24 home win against Swinton.

Swinton replied through Josh Barlow, Rob Fairclough, Rhodri Lloyd and Kyle Shelford.

On Saturday, Rochdale made the historic trip to Toronto – but found themselves on the wrong end of a 52-10 scoreline.

Dec Kay and Joe Taira getting on the scoresheet for the Hornets. In League 1, Oldham ran out 50-6 winners at home to North Wales Crusaders. Danny Langtree bagged four tries, and there was two for Jonah Cunningham and one apiece for Luke Nelmes, Matt Reid and Phil Joy.