LEIGH Centurions boss Paul Rowley is looking for improvement when his side face Rochdale Hornets again on Sunday.

Hornets became the first team to take points off Leigh at the Leigh Sports Village this season when they gained a bonus point in the 34-22 loss at the weekend.

This time, at Spotland, it is a place in the fifth round of the Tetley’s Challenge Cup that is at stake.

Rowley said: “We’ve identified a few things where we thought we could have taken a bit more advantage and we want to improve on a couple of areas that we’ve seen from ourselves, and obviously we’ve seen where they are going to go.

“They had a good kicking game and they put a lot of pressure on Liam Kay’s side of the field with some high kicks. We need to be a bit more proactive in defending. It’s just tweaking things a little really.”

Three of Rochdale’s tries came from kicks, highlighting Leigh’s line defence was strong, but the Leigh boss feels there is improvement needed.

“To only concede one try off a break can be seen as a positive,” he said.

“But we still gave them too much territory and that came off the back of our failings when attacking their line and our last plays. Again we’ve got some work to do, but there are no shocks.

“Rochdale beat Batley the week before and Barrow beat Sheffield in this division. You can make reference to top versus bottom but there is really not that much of a gulf in class or quality. League standings count for very little in this division, especially with the input of dual contract players.

“It’s the cup this week and if anything it’s even-stevens and comes down to who wants it more.”

Leigh look set to make changes to their team again this week ‘due to injury and illness’, with Rowley saying: “I’ve got some concerns over key personnel.”

This season, Centurions have strength in reserve, highlighted by the performance of Cameron Pitman making his second appearance for the first team and being named in the Kingstone Press Championship team of the week alongside Tom Spencer.

“It’s been a good week for Cameron,” said Rowley.

“it’s nice and good reward and another shot in the arm for all the youngsters in the reserves. It’s not all about the money you make at that level, it’s about the opportunity. Opportunity often arises at our club and we show no fear in age or experience when it comes to team selection.”

Meanwhile, the club are continuing to reach out to their community and have announced a partnership with Leigh Cricket Club.

To promote this new link-up, Centurions are donating a free child ticket for their home game with Swinton Lions on Good Friday. Children must be accompanied by an adult, must be aged 16 years old or younger (still attending school) and attend cricket training at Leigh Cricket Club, Beech Walk, Pennington, this Friday or on Friday, April 11 from 6pm to 7.30pm.

Further activities are planned including a 20/20 cricket fixture between a Leigh Centurions Legends select team and Leigh Cricket Club.