Leigh Centurions made sure they did not finish bottom of Betfred Super League at the end of the regular season as they overcame Ladbrokes Challenge Cup semi-finalists Salford Red Devils 25-0 at the Sports Village.
The hosts made a bright start and Gregg McNally crossed inside the opening 10 minutes, with Josh Drinkwater adding the extras.
#SLLeiSal
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) July 21, 2017
Leigh enter the #Super8s Qualifiers by climbing ahead of Widnes and Salford drop out of the top 4 pic.twitter.com/QTQMsRLwaY
Atelea Vea added their second of the night and Samisoni Langi went over five minutes before the interval, with Drinkwater kicking both conversions to help his side open up an 18-0 lead at the break.
The Centurions completed the job with a second for McNally in the dying moments plus a drop-goal from the impressive Drinkwater.
Winning feels fantastic! #ohleigh pic.twitter.com/BLKuXQUzro
— Leigh Centurions (@LeighCenturions) July 21, 2017
"We ticked nearly every box tonight," said Leigh coach Neil Jukes afterwards. "It was a derby and we didn't want to finish bottom in our first season back in Super League.
"It was important for us to get some confidence and build momentum as we go into the next competition (Super 8 qualifiers). I was really pleased."
Salford coach Ian Watson said: "It was disappointing. The first half we were way below the standards we have set ourselves physically.
"Leigh were dominant - their pack was on the front foot and their half-backs were able to control the game on the back of that."
