SATURDAYS are proving to be an experience for Leigh Centurions players during their pre-season campaign.

Ahead of this weekend’s planned camp with the Royal Marines in Preston, Leigh’s previous three Saturdays have seen sessions in Borsdane Wood between Hindley and Westhoughton, wrestling in Golborne and most recently tackling sand dunes on Formby beach.

“Each week is getting better as more players return (to training),” said head coach Paul Rowley.

“We’ve been able to put some structures in place. It’s 10 out of 10 for the lads at the moment. They are very enthusiastic and honest. I can’t ask for any more.

“It has been planned in that every Saturday we try and have a variation and an alternative venue before the season starts.

“Again it was a big commitment for everyone getting there (Formby beach) and being there for a nine o’clock start, especially the Yorkshire boys.

“Some of them made 70-mile trips to get there. Nobody was late and everybody ripped in and worked extremely hard, and then we had a social gathering afterwards. It was a really good day.

“Myself and Neil (Jukes) drove up before and made sure we picked the sand dunes that we’d get the most out of. Some you needed to use your hands to assist your climb.

“It was as tough as it’s been, a really tough session and you find out a bit more about the players, both mentally and how they stuck together.”

Despite getting plenty out of the session, Centurions are unlikely to return any time soon.

“There are plenty of other challenging places so we probably won’t go up there as a team again. There are other challenges ahead and things equally as stimulating without the need to repeat.

“We’ve not got a lot of time now before the games kick in.”

Centurions’ first friendly is against borough enemies Wigan on January 19.