LEIGH battled hard against Super League form team Catalan Dragons and were just edged out 22-16 in the fourth round of the Challenge Cup last night The Centurions roared into a 10-0 lead, thanks to tries from Adam Higson and Tommy Goulden.

The visitors had rarely threatened and, when a lapse in communication saw the ball go into touch after another break, they pounced and Sebastien Raguin sent Damien Blanch in at the corner.

As the first half wore on Catalan gained more momentum and this resulted in Ian Henderson putting Jean Phillipe Baile over in the left corner.

Although Scott Dureau missed the conversion, Catalan were given a penalty for a foul in-goal and Dureau converted for a two point deficit at half-time.

Early in the second half Catalan grabbed a fortunate score when Cyril Stacul appeared to bounce the ball over the line and a conversion by Thomas Bosc put the visitors 16- 12 up.

The French side scored a fourth try when Blanch skirted away from the defence and Henderson followed up the trickling ball to scoop up just ahead of Mick Govin.

Leigh ensured a nervy end for the Super League team when the excellent Stuart Donlan broke through from 20 metres to score.