Ryan Brierley got a hat-trick
Ryan Brierley's hat-trick helped give Leigh their first win since the start of the Super 8s against Sheffield.
Leigh Centurions are up and running at long last in the Middle 8’s thanks to a 52-16 win over the Sheffield Eagles.
Paul Rowley’s men were due a break and got it even though they did not gamble on the fitness of Gareth Hock who has made a remarkable recovery from knee surgery.
Hock will no doubt be back at a later date
The Centurions were determined to make the most of home advantage after playing some good rugby against three Super League teams yet not having anything to show as yet.
Points are now on the board on the resumption of what is an interesting set of matches. Coach Rowley recently said that the standing after three games would have a different look at the finish.
He knows Leigh are still in there fighting and with Rowley at the helm, Leigh will certainly give it their all. Ryan Brierley has not been at his best against top flight opposition and he certainly needed a boost from this one.
He got it with a hat trick of tries. Leigh still have to play Bradford and must also visit Widnes so all is not lost for Rowley’s battlers.
They had to win this one and were leading 24-10 at the break. Micky Higham put the show on the road with a 12th minute try. The consistent Andrew Dixon added a second and then it was Brierley’s turn to cut loose.
There was a try for Fuifui Moimoi and renewed hope come the finish for the ambitious hosts whose Super League dream is still alive.
The Centurions leap to sixth place in the Qualifiers as they have a superior points-difference to Sheffield, whose own promotion chances look slim with games against Super League sides Salford, Hull KR and Wakefield to come.
