Hunslet Hawks 0 Leigh Centurions 44: March’s injury adds to Hunslet’s woes as Leigh pile on pressure

The nilled Hawks lacked attacking ideas and the Centurions, who rested several regulars, looked much sharper in possession, though they never needed to be at their best. Scrum-half James Ellis scored two tries and kicked six goals for the visitors.

To compound Hunslet’s problems, the experienced David March was helped from the field midway through the second half with a suspected slipped disc.

After home prop Adam Sullivan had a try disallowed, Leigh opened the scoring when winger Dean McGilvray sent Ellis over with a smart inside pass, Ellis converting his own try.

The Hawks, again without suspended player-coach Paul March, defended stoically until three tries in eight minutes put Leigh in the comfort zone. Slick passing saw the ball pass through four pairs of hands for second rower Tommy Goulden to score under the posts. Loose forward James Taylor was next to touch down between the posts and winger Steve Maden then squeezed in at the corner, Ellis converting the two easier opportunities.

Centre Rhys Evans was gifted Leigh’s fifth try after Hunslet lost possession inside their own half, leaving the Hawks trailing 26-0 at half-time.

Pressure on Leigh’s line failed to produce a try for the Hawks early in the second half and Ellis took advantage by converting his second try for the Centurions and improving touchdowns by Steve Nash and Andy Thornley.

Hunslet Hawks: Kain; Pryce, Clayton, Latus, Barnett; Grimshaw, D March; Sullivan, Haigh, Helme, Haughey, Oakes, Blakeway. Substitutes: Houston, Kelly, Yates, McLocklan.

Leigh Centurions: Donlan; Maden, Evans, Higson, McGilvray; Ridyard, Ellis; Nash, Hunter-Paul, Mills, Littler, Goulden, Taylor. Substitutes: Thornley, Nicholson, Hopkins, Armstrong.

Referee: C Sharrad (Manchester).