Centurions ready for a double test

They take on York City Knights at Huntington Stadium on Sunday, followed by Halifax at home on Thursday.

The last time City Knights met Centurions was February, 2010, in one of Ian Millward’s first games back in charge of the club and the hosts won 13-12 in an error strewn game.

This year could not be more different, with Leigh stretching their unbeaten run in the Championship to nine games with a 10-try success against Hunslet Hawks at the weekend.

By comparison, York went down 50-16 to Batley and Millward has encouraged his team to ‘do the business’ despite a recent signing spree by City Knights that has seen former Widnes duo Anthony Thackeray and James Ford check in.

“They’ll be fresh, fit and raring to go, coming off the back of an eight-day turnaround,” said Millward.

“We’ve just got to make sure we are ready to go. If we play well, we will win the game and stay top of the league – undefeated.

“It won’t have anything to do with what they do. It’s all about us."

Other than the long-term injury absences of Robbie Hunter-Paul and Ricky Bibey, Leigh have no real injury concerns with Sam Hopkins hopeful of getting back in action after a leg injury and dual contract centre Rhys Evans set to feature after overcoming a shoulder problem.

Despite winning 56-18 against Hunslet, Millward wants his team to improve their tackling.

“There were a couple of things defensively but the main thing is that we want to keep good habits and keep consistent with everything,” he said.

Millward was pleased with his players’ approach to the game on the back of chairman and director Arthur Thomas stepping down from his roles last week.

He said: “The players were very keen to show what a good product we have and what a good future we have. By continuing playing the way they are and winning games it sort of emphasises that even more.”

Millward added: “It’s vital with a bit of uncertainty regarding ownership of the club that we get as many people as possible down for the next home game against Halifax.”

The ‘kids go free’ initiative returns this weekend to coincide with the beginning of the May half-term school holidays, allowing under 16s to gain free entry to any Co-operative Championships fixture when accompanied by a paying adult.

The scheme, which will be in operation during rounds 11 and 12, was launched at the start of the season following research commissioned by The Co-operative which showed that family time has taken a hit during the economic crisis.

l Centurions Reserves take on their York counterparts at Ledgard Avenue tonight, Thursday, kick off 8pm. Leigh’s youngsters just held off a challenge from Oldham to win 30-26 last week with Leigh Miners triallist Scott O’Brien having a hand in two of the tries.