Leigh Centurions 4 Batley Bulldogs 25: Bulldogs begin to plan trip to seaside for final

At half-time the Bulldogs were in dreamland after holding Leigh Centurions for most of the opening period and things got better with a dominant second half that saw them ultimately win in comfortable fashion.

A try in the first 12 minutes from Leigh's Steve Maden threatened Batley's party after Gareth Boore booted a sixth minute penalt,y but Batley finished the first half superbly.

After 31 minutes Moore sliced through the defence and Danny Maun scampered over.

Moore again converted and the Bulldogs created a further chance before the break when Paul Handworth and Walton looked to send former Leigh winger Lee Greenwood in at the corner only for Stuart Donlan to somehow hold him up to prevent.

The second half saw Leigh start brightly but Batley held them at bay and responded superbly. Mark Toohey was held up before Sean Hesketh skittled over from close range. At 14-4 the Bulldogs looked in control and hit a real purple patch in the last 10 minutes

Moore dropped a goal and was then involved with Handforth in the move that led to Maun scoring his second try.

As Batley fans celebrated, the team came up with another superb try when Chris Buttery sent Kris Lythe over and Moore's fourth goal put the icing on a night that will live long in Batley fans' memories.

Leigh Centurions: Donlan, Maden, Leuluai, Blythe, Alstead; Paul, Ridyard; Bibey, McConnell, Emmitt, Taylor, Goulden, Mitchell. Substitutes: Hill, McCarthy, Armitstead, Higson

Batley Bulldogs: Campbell, Brown, Maun, Toohey, Greenwood; Handforth, Moore; Smith, Lythe, Hesketh, Walton, Gallagher, Lindsay. Substitutes: Govin, Potter, Buttery, Tootill.

Referee: Robert Hicks (RFL).