LEIGH Centurions are hoping to sign top amateur winger Dean Purtill for a second time!

The Wigan St Patrick's goal-kicking ace is the top points scorer in the National Conference and scored four goals and a try while playing for Leigh as a trialist at Hunslet last Sunday.

Purtill had a couple of seasons at Hilton Park when he played mostly Academy and Alliance rugby before becoming disillusioned and returned to his amateur roots.

"We've been trying to persuade Dean to have another crack at the pro game for sometime," reveals Leigh chairman Mick Higgins.

"He did well for us on Sunday and we've offered him terms which he is considering."

Meanwhile former Leigh East star Tim Fletcher has forced himself into first team contention after a top class scrum-half show in last night's Alliance defeat by Sheffield Eagles. Fletcher repeatedly opened up a strong Eagles side with some incisive running and effective handling. Leigh just went down 38-34 to the Division One leaders who fielded nine players with considerable first team experience.

Kiwi stand-off Alan Mason scored one fine try and laid on another for winger Carl Jones before retiring with a rib injury. Leigh's other points came from tries by Paul McLoughlin (2), Steve McCulley and Mark Sarsfield with Fletcher adding five goals from seven shots.

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