Eagles' fightback ends with Paterson late try

The Eagles fought back from 26-10 down to level at 28-28 but Martyn Ridyard, a late inclusion in a Leigh side lacking both Rangi Chase and a suspended Ryan Brierley, edged the Centurions back in front with a second penalty three minutes from the end and Paterson then went over to clinch a third win of the season.

Rob Worrincy and Quentin Laulu-Togagae both scored two tries for the visitors while Papua New Guinea centre Menzie Yere touched down for the sixth successive match.

Scrum-half Lewis Charnock, signed on a month’s loan from St Helens, scored on his debut for Leigh, whose other tries came from captain Micky Higham, Dane Weston, Adam Higson and Reni Maitua.

Leigh: Harper, Owen, Higson, Whiting, Pownall, Ridyard, Charnock, Moimoi, Higham, Weston, Hansen, Hock, Paterson. Substitutes: Foster, Spencer, Maitua, Emmitt.

Sheffield: Laulu-Togagae, Worrincy, Yere, Tyson, Blackmore, Aston, Hewitt, Wheeldon, Carlile, Neal, Knowles, Straughier, James. Substitutes: Fozard, Stringer, Minchella, Mexico.

Referee: C Kendall (RFL).

Bradford Bulls saw their Championship match at Oldham postponed due to a frozen pitch in Lancashire. Bradford’s next game is away to Batley Bulldogs next Sunday.

Newcastle opened their Kingstone Press League 1 season with a 30-22 win at Oxford.

Sam Luckley, Craig Cook, Dan Parker, Lee Paterson and Vincent Rennie went over for Newcastle’s tries.

Elsewhere, North Wales Crusaders slipped to a 37-18 home defeat to Barrow.