Leigh Centurions 52, Whitehaven 24 by Mike Hulme

BOGEY team Whitehaven again threatened to put the skids under Leigh's NFP title challenge until the Centurions got their act together after half time.

Having beaten Leigh twice already this season, Whitehaven looked more than capable of making it a hat-trick as they swept into a 24-12 lead midway through the first half.

But inspired by sub forward Andy Isherwood, Leigh won the second half 32-0.

Isherwood swept in for four tries as Leigh found their form and 'Haven's third game in eight days began to take its toll.

Coach Paul Terzis was delighted with the way Leigh turned it round after half time.

"We faced a stiff challenge at half time and I'm happy to say that we responded in the right way. We got our defence right, cut down their dangerous player and controlled the ball better. Once we'd got those aspects sorted, it was all one-way traffic."

Leigh raced into a 12-0 lead inside the first four minutes with winger Mark McCully scoring from close in and Phil Kendrick racing 80 metres for a second.

Any thoughts Leigh had of a landslide victory were soon swept aside as Whitehaven stunned Hilton Park with a salvo of four tries, all converted by Steve Kirkbride.

Tries in either corner from Mark Wallace and Ryan Campbell levelled the scores and as Leigh's defence fell apart Whitehaven added two further tries from Leigh Smith.

Leigh knew they were in trouble but an Adam Bristow try just before the break gave them a glimmer of hope.

Isherwood gave Leigh the spark they needed with a touchdown early in the second half and two Neil Turley penalties nosed Leigh back in front.

It was Whitehaven's turn to go through the defensive horrors as Leigh turned on the style. Whitehaven wilted under the onslaught as Leigh ran in five more tries in the final quarter.

Isherwood took his tally to four and there were others from Jon Roper and Turley who finished the game with 20 points.