Batley Bulldogs 32 Leigh Centurions 12: Magnificent Moore helps buoy Batley

The under-strength visitors opened the scoring with Ian Mort's try but within two minutes Batley were level as centre Josh Griffin forced his way through the defensive line.

It was the preface to a special display from scrum-half Gareth Moore who scored one try and created two others.

Moore, denied a touchdown when he slipped on wet grass, later chipped over the defensive line, collected and then chipped over the last line of defence for speedy substitute Mick Govin to chase and touch down.

Minutes later Moore snapped up a loose ball near his own line, accelerated into the clear and held off defenders on his 80-metre dash to the line for a try to which he added one of six goals.

He gave Batley an unassailable lead when he restarted the game in double-quick fashion after Leigh had failed with a kick and chase over the Batley line.

Moore's lightning re-start provided winger Alex Brown enough space to round two players and outpace three others over a spectacular 80-metre dash to the line.

Hooker Kris Lythe burrowed his way over for another touchdown before Leigh clinched their second try from Steve Maden three minutes from time.

Batley: Campbell; Brown, Griffin, Maun, Greenwood; Handforth, Moore; Smith, Lythe, Hesketh, Walton, J Gallagher, Lindsay. Substitutes (all used): Govin, Potter, Buttery, Toothill.

Leigh: Mort; Alstead, Maden, Higson, Nanyn; Duffy, Durbin; Hill, McConnell, Nash, Goulden, Leuluai, Armistead. Substitutes (all used): Briscoe, Nicholson, Morrison, Smith.

Referee: Gareth Hewer (Whitehaven).