Leigh Centurions 41 Doncaster 14

LEIGH Centurions finally shook off their play-off hoodoo with an eight-try success over Doncaster.

Not since 2004 had Leigh won a play-off game, but that has all changed now.

Despite a spirited and at times brutal effort from the visitors, Leigh overcame a 14-6 deficit to win comfortably in the end and boot their 10-year record of pain firmly into touch.

The hosts made the perfect start when Ryan Brierley handed on for Kurt Haggerty to stride through the defence.

Martyn Ridyard kicked the first of four goals but the Centurions slipped into a giving mood and allowed Doncaster the opportunity of a real foothold in the game.

The visitors responded with two quickfire tries. First player-coach Paul Cooke escaped Matthew Sarsfield on the try line for Stewart Sanderson to convert before the winger was on target again five minutes later after some fine footwork brought a try from Richard Wilkinson.

A Sanderson penalty moved the Dons out to 14-6 after 17 minutes and the visitors bossed the next 10 minutes before a mistake saw Leigh clear their lines.

It was Haggerty once more that helped to turn the tide with a good kick that saw Doncaster scrambling the ball dead ahead of Adam Higson.

Swift play down the Leigh right gave Michael Platt early ball and the former Bradford man dummied and shot over.

The centre repeated the dose moments later, getting through three tacklers on the line after a superb break from Bob Beswick was over ran by Gregg McNally.

Thankfully the fullback made amends, firstly kick-starting another superb Leigh raid that saw Liam Kay pass inside for Brierley and then Brierley turned creator for McNally to sail over untouched from 20 metres.

Although Ridyard was only able to add two goals, Leigh led 24-14 at half-time.

The third quarter was a scoreless and bruising affair before a snapped drop goal from Haggerty on the hour got Leigh rolling again; and they didn't stop.

As mistakes piled up for the Dons, Leigh took command with an individual run from Brierley bringing up his 42nd try of an outstanding season.

Ten minutes from time another flowing move, this time from a tap penalty saw Beswick, Sam Barlow and Kay combine for Armstrong to dive in gleefully in front of the North Stand and Ridyard added his fourth and final goal to open up a 37-14 scoreline.

A big high tackle on Acton saw the Londoner receive stitches to his mouth after the game but there was still enough time for the Centurions to further gloss their success when Ridyard cleverly sent Armstrong haring in for his 22nd try of the season to confirm the 41-14 success.

Centurions: McNally, Higson, Platt, Armstrong, Kay, Ridyard, Brierley; Emmitt, Penkywicz, Hopkins, Sarsfield, Haggerty, Barlow. Subs: Beswick, Walker, Aspinwall, Acton.