Leigh Centurions battled their way to a much needed and vital victory over a rejuvenated Dewsbury Rams to move into fifth spot n the Cooperative National One.
But they needed a little bit of long overdue good fortune to go their way before finally seeing off the challenge of a Rams side that showed their worth after a tremendous performance the previous week under caretaker coach Warren Jowitt, that had then seen them narrowly lose to second placed Halifax.
A 55th minute try from Dave Alstead looked all set to be ruled out after he had forced his way over the try line from close range, by referee Ronnie Laughton. But then he conferred with his touch judge and changed his mind from giving that Alstead had been held over the line on his back to giving a try.
It may not seem much, but in a season where many things have gone against them this was a piece of good fortune that the Centurions were delighted to accept and with Ian Watson adding the extras it put the Leigh side into a lead that they were never to relinquish in a game of ebb and flow that so often looked like it could go either way.
However it didn't look like it was going to be Leigh's day or a welcome return to the ground were Neil Kelly had coached the club to Grand Final glory not so long ago, when the home side raced into a 12-0 lead in the opening eleven minutes.
The first try came on five minutes when centre Chris Langley swept through the Leigh defence to leave fullback Ian Mort in his wake, for Pat Walker to add the extras.
Andy Hobson went close for Leigh in response, but a second Rams try came from Chris Hall after good runs from newcomer Chris Charles, and walker's second conversion had Leigh facing an uphill struggle.
But back they blasted and four minutes later Dennis Moran swept in from a move off the scrum for Watson to goal. Leigh were back in the game and with Mike Wainwright, Chris Hill and Watson going well, their second try came on 25 minutes as Chris Giles pounced on Mora's grubber kick to sore and Watson goaled from wide out to level.
Walker missed a penalty for the home side as Liam Finn worked tirelessly, before the impressive Moran, playing at centre sent Alstead crashing in for his first try that Watson couldn't goal. Walker did pull back a penalty but it was Leigh 16-14 ahead at the break.
Dewsbury came roaring out of the dressing rooms for the second half and within five minutes had the lead again when Finn dribbled the ball down field to score under the posts and Walker goaled.
Then came Alstead's controversial touchdown and Leigh had the lead and took a stranglehold on the game with Dave McConnell, James Taylor, Aaron Smith and the rest playing their part.
When substitute Dale Cunniffe crashed n on 73 minutes Leigh had a lead they could hang on to and Kelly had a second successive win under the belt.



Dewsbury Rams

1 Tom Colleran
2 Bryn Powell
3 Chris Langley
4 Chris Hall
5 Austin Buchanan
6 Josh Weeden
7 Pat Walker
8 Aaron Trinder
9 Liam Finn
10 David Rourke
11 Chris Charles
12 Taron Wildey
13 Tere Glassie

subs all used
14 Luke Haigh
15 Andy Bostock
16 Martin Robinson
17 Joe Helme



Tries: Langley (5), Hall (11), Finn (45)
Goals: Walker 4/5



Leigh Centurions



1 Ian Mort
2 Chris Giles
3 Dave Alstead
4 Dennis Moran
5 Steve Maden
6 Lee Marsh
7 Ian Watson
8 Andy Hobson
9 Dave McConnell
10 Chris Hill
11 Jimmy Taylor
12 Lee Doran
13 Mike Wainwright

subs all used
14 Aaron Smith
15 Dale Cunniffe
16 Gareth Price
17 John Hill



Tries: Moran (15), Giles (25), Alstead (30,55), Cunniffe (73)
Goals: Watson 4/5



Half time 14-16
Referee: Ronnie Laughton

Attendance 1,061.