Hunslet Hawks 6 Leigh Centurions 42: Leigh eventually prove their class to sink Hawks' Cup bid

Leigh, without the influential Robbie Paul due to injury, had won nine of their 12 Championship games, while Hunslet led the way in Championship One.

It took top try-scorer Wayne McHugh just 50 seconds to open the scoring for the Hawks as he seized on a loose pass and darted 40 metres to the posts, David March adding the easy goal, but those were the home side's only points.

Strong defensive work kept Leigh out until the 11th minute when a kick to the corner was knocked back by centre Steve Madden for second row James Taylor to plunge over, Mick Nanyn converting to level the scores.

Michael Mark should have put the Hawks back in front when he gathered the ball deep inside his own half and broke through, but the winger lacked confidence in his pace to reach the line and his pass was put to ground.

Hunslet's strong tackling forced their opponents into errors and both sides gave away too many penalties. Leigh's Tyrone McCarthy had a 'try' disallowed after referee Matthew Thomason consulted a touch-judge but fellow substitute Anthony Nicholson forced his way over for the visitors' second try, three minutes before half-time, and Nanyn's kick was again successful.

The first half ended with Hunslet camped on Leigh's line but unable to break their resistance and three minutes into the second half a quickly-taken penalty saw McCarthy send Nanyn in at the left corner, the centre improving his own try to make it 18-6 to the Centurions.

Mike Morrison became the second Leigh substitute to score, Nanyn making it four successful conversions out of four to leave the Hawks struggling.

Centre Dave Alstead raced away for Leigh's fifth touchdown, Nanyn again landing the goal, and after David March was sin-binned for interfering at a play-the-ball, Nanyn scored his second converted try.

When Nanyn improved Jacob Emmitt's touchdown just before the end it took his personal points haul to 22.

Hunslet Hawks: Kain, Mark, McHugh, Clayton, J. Oakes, Grimshaw, P. March, Sullivan, Haigh, Houston, Dooler, Haughey, D. March. Substitutes: Woodcock, Lowe, Robinson, M. Kelly.

Leigh Centurions: Donlan, Alstead, Maden, Nanyn, Higson, Ridyard, Duffy, Hill, McConnell, Emmitt, Taylor, Leuluai, Armitstead. Substitutes: Goulden, McCarthy, Morrison, Nicholson.

Referee: M Thomason (RFL).