But the Bulldogs almost put the bite on the Centurions as they battled back from being 16-0 down to make a real fist of the game and leave a relieved Leigh all set for a home tie against Whitehaven in the play-offs.


Despite having a number of regulars on the sidelines, the Centurions knew they had a tough job on their plate and they came out of the dressing rooms all fired up with Mike Wainwright leading from the front to be given terrific support by Ian Mort, Ian Watson, Mike Morrison and Adam Higson in particular.


Leigh had their first try on the board in the sixth minute when debutant winger Jamie Smith repaid the faith shown in him after impressive returns in the Under 21s, when following up good runs from Mort and Watson to score an ungoaled try.
Within six minutes the powerful Morrison finally capitalise on the good work put in by Andy Hobson and Lee Doran, as he latched on to Dave McConnell's pass to score a try that this time Mort goaled.
Wainwright, revelling in a stand off role, linked with McConnell to send substitute Chris Hill charging in for a third try and a second Mort goal.


It looked all set to be a cakewalk.
But Batley had different ideas as Ash Lindsay came on to give them direction, and in the 32nd minute Batley pushed Kevin Crouthers in at the corner for their opening try that Mark Barlow goaled.
Suddenly Batley hit a purple patch and scored twice more in a devastating six minute spell as Crouthers then put in Paul Mennell and Ben Feehan finished off a terrific move.
With Barlow missing one of his conversions, it was all square and Leigh's dominance looked to be over as they had to settle for a 16-16 interval scoreline.


But they showed tremendous character to bounce right back at the start of the second half, and if they didn't actually dominate they still did enough to ensure that the battling Bulldogs were kept at arms length.
Batley were put under tremendous defensive pressure and the mistakes started to come, with Mort capitalising on a loose pass and intercepting to race in for a superb try that he then goaled three minutes after the break.


In the 48th minute Hobson sent Watson away and Mort opened up a 12-point lead with the conversion as Steve Maden and Mark Roberts added to the home sides problems with some telling runs.
But Batley refused to lie down and grabbed a Tim Spears try and Barlow conversion to put the game in the balance again with 12 minutes remaining.
Watson slotted over a drop goal to give Leigh some margin of safety before Adam Thomas claimed the final Centurions try to ensure they were home, dry, in fourth spot and ready for the play-offs.


Batley Bulldogs tries: Crouthers (32), Mennell (35), Feehan (38), Spears (68)
Goals: Barlow 3/4


Leigh Centurions: Mort; J Smith, Roberts, Rudd, Maden; Wainwright, Watson; Hobson, McConnell, Morrison, Higson, Doran, A Smith; subs (all used): Thomas, Stewart, C Hill, Cookson.
Tries: J Smith (6), Morrison (12), Hill (27), Mort (43), Watson (48), Thomas (79)
Goals: Mort 5/6

Half time: 16-16

Referee: Gareth Hewer

Attendance: 1,020