LEIGH Centurions have rewarded head coach Paul Rowley for the club's outstanding start to the season with a new contract.

The Kingstone Press Championship leaders have announced that the highly-rated 39-year-old former England international has now committed to the club to the end of the 2017 season.

The Centurions have won their opening 12 games in the Championship and a club-record 15 in succession in all competitions.

Rowley told the club : "I am delighted to have secured my immediate future at Leigh Centurions and look forward to continuing on the journey we started in 2011."

Leigh, who play Super League leaders Leeds in the Challenge Cup quarter-finals next week, have also announced new two-year contracts for players Jamie Acton and Cameron Pitman.