Rams suffer defeat to Championship leaders Leigh

Dewsbury only trailed 12-8 at half-time but were hit by a four try blast in the space of just eight minutes as Leigh racked up a seventh win of the season.

Sam Hopkins opened the scoring after 10 minutes and the Centurions prop charged over for his second try soon after, with Martyn Ridyard adding both goals as Leigh led 12-0.

Dewsbury fought back and neat work by Nathan Conroy saw him break through and send Luke Adamson crashing over. Paul Sykes converted and added a penalty goal.

Dewsbury almost levelled when centre Etu Uaisele attempted to send Dalton Grant over but Richard Whiting made a last ditch interception to prevent a certain try.

The match was held up for eight minutes due to an injury to Leigh forward Harrison Hansen, who was stretchered from the field following lengthy treatment.

Soon after the re-start, Dewsbury were penalised for offside and Leigh moved play quickly right for winger Adam Higson to race over in the corner.

Whiting was denied by a last ditch Rams tackle, while Higson looked to have added a second try only to be pulled back for a forward pass.

Gareth Hock was sin-binned after Leigh were placed on a team warning but the Centurions took control with a four try blast.

Ben Reynolds nipped over from acting half back to score against the club where he began the season before Tom Armstrong sent Liam Kay over in the left corner, with Ridyard landing both conversions.

Cory Paterson raced over for Leigh’s sixth try and Whiting crossed a minute later, with Ridyard adding two more conversions to stretch their advantage to 40-8.

Dewsbury centre Jason Crookes and Leigh’s Jamie Acton were sin-binned for their part in a brawl before Dewsbury scored two consolation tries late on through Dale Morton and Jack Teanby, with Sykes converting one.

Leigh’s victory saw them outright leaders of the Championship following Batley’s defeat to Oldham.

Dewsbury Rams: Guzdek; Morton, Crookes, Uaisele, Grant; Glover, Sykes; T Adamson, Speakman, Walker, Hale, Grady, Farrell. Subs: Teanby, L Adamson, Conroy, Trout.

Leigh Centurions: Smith; Higson, Armstrong, Whiting, Kay; Ridyard, Reynolds; Hopkins, Higham, Weston, Maitua, Hock, Paterson. Subs: Hood, Emmitt, Acton, Hansen.

Referee: S Ansell.

Attendance: 1,691.