Whitehaven...8

Leigh Centurions...30 IT'S an indication of Leigh's search for perfection that their after-match de-brief was more self-critical than self-praising.

While expressing their satisfaction at clinically ending an 11-year Recreation Ground jinx and surviving a potential banana-skin, the mood from the Centurions' camp was one of disappointment in seeing a near-faultless defensive effort spoiled by one Whitehaven try.

"There are some upset players in that dressing room," declared head coach Paul Terzis minutes after Leigh's second consecutive NFP victory.

"They are such a proud bunch that to concede even one try is taken as a personal affront. The squad has worked so hard on the defensive side of their game and take great pride in trying to keep the opposition tryless."

But by the time that Whitehaven sub Spencer Miller sailed between the posts just before the hour, Leigh already had the points in the bag.

Just two tries conceded in two games will do for starters, though. The match was virtually over as a contest after an opening 40 minutes that blew 'Haven out of the water. Leigh opened at 100 mph, kept the tempo going and might had more than three tries to show for it by the break.

Thanks to their own better ball control and a slight easing off on the gas by Leigh, 'Haven enjoyed their best spell either side of the hour mark. But the Centurions pulled themselves together and cemented victory with a fifth try 10 minutes from time.

Leigh dominated all across the park. From the magnificent Dave Bradbury through the middle, to the marauding runs of Simon Baldwin up the left, to the midfield industry and craft of Liam Bretherton, to the mature and classy play of Neil Turley at full-back.

Bradbury might only have been on the field for 56 minutes but his line breaks constantly had Whitehaven in retreat. And once the defences had been broken, Baldwin had the pace and power to turn openings into tries. Half-backs Bretherton and Simon Svabic worked well together while Turley, at the back, never put a foot wrong and set up Leigh's best try with a stunning 70-metre kick-return. Yet despite some fine individual efforts, the result was a victory for teamwork.

Leigh's effective kick-chase game quickly established territorial supremacy - and they never looked back.

Svabic had hooked a third minute penalty attempt wide but with Leigh camped in the Whitehaven '20', a score was inevitable.

It came just six minutes in after Baldwin manufactured a break through the middle, Chris Morley smuggled a pass away in a tackle for Paul Anderson to spin away from two defenders and plunge in. Svabic added the goal for a 6-0 lead.

Leigh kept the momentum going, Whitehaven's scrambling defence looking like it would cave in at any time. Leigh didn't have long to wait to increase their lead. After Tim Street had been held up over the line, the Centurions took the scrum and smart work from Andy Fairclough in a tight corner got Alan Hadcroft in at the flag.

Paul O'Neill got Whitehaven's first points on the board with a 24th minute penalty but after Fairclough had mishandled with the line wide open, Leigh hammered in a another nail five minutes from time.

Nothing appeared on for Turley when he fielded a kick on his own 20 metre line but showing pace, balance and a nifty side-step he went 70 metres up the left flank before picking out the supporting Baldwin for the second rower to gallop between the posts. Svabic goaled and at 16-2 Leigh were in complete control. The second half started just as Leigh would have wanted it - with another try. 'Haven were stretched right and then left where Baldwin and Fairclough linked, the skipper flicking out an astonishing pass for Hadcroft to collect and tumble in for his second try.

Svabic twisted the knife deeper for the Cumbrians by smacking over the touchline conversion.

When Martin Roden's mazy midfield break was ended by a clout round head from Aaron Lester, Svabic put over the penalty that made it 24-2.

Miller's consolation try, set up by Lee Kiddie's sleight of hand, didn't affect Leigh unduly and 10 minutes from time they wrapped up another win with their fifth try.

On the ground where his dad both played and coached, Turley junior stretched over for a six-pointer after Baldwin and Paul Norman had set up the chance. LEIGH: Turley; Hadcroft, Anderson, Fairclough, Jones; Svabic, Bretherton; Street, Hamilton, Bradbury, Baldwin, Morley, Bristow. Subs: Kendrick (for Bristow 67), Norman (for Bradbury 56), Whittle (for Street 28), Roden (for Hamilton 34), Street (for Baldwin 72).