CENTURIONS’ recruitment drive took another boost this week with two more players committing to full-time deals next year.

Matthew Sarsfield, aged 22, has signed a two-year deal commencing from December, while 32-year-old Tommy Goulden penned a one-year full-time contract.

Head coach Paul Rowley was delighted to have secured the pair’s services next season.

"If ever a bloke earned a full-time playing contract it is Tommy,” he said. “He epitomises everything that we are trying to achieve at the Centurions and is so well respected and valued by the fans, his peers and the staff.

"That is testament to the way he has earned a full-time contract. I am delighted that Tommy now has the opportunity to be a full-time rugby player.

“It is something he will really appreciate and he will ensure he makes the best of it.

“Matt came to us having been in good environments without being centre stage in any of them. He has a lot of talent and has progressed considerably during his time with us.”

After three games in nine days, Leigh Centurions are back in action on Sunday when they travel up to the Recreation Ground to play Whitehaven, kick off 3pm.

Following Centurions’ 60-0 defeat of Barrow, boss Rowley was happy with the defence of his side.

“We spoke about the nil after the game,” he added. “It came off the back of a really tough period for us.

“Credit to the boys, they’ve earned it and credit to the clubs medical staff who have looked after the players over the last few weeks which has been really taxing and really challenging.”

Once again Liam Kay earned a spot in the Kingstone Press Championship team of the week, becoming just the 12th player in club history to notch five tries in a game and the second this season following the exploits of Ryan Brierley in the reverse fixture at Barrow.

The winger has now scored 21 tries in 19 games.

“It wasn’t just about that game, Liam has been brilliant over the last few weeks,” said Rowley. “It’s reward for him because he’s done some mileage over this couple of weeks.

“Everyone has been doing it tough but he keeps getting in there, he wants the ball all the time. He’s been outstanding for us, absolutely outstanding.”

Martyn Ridyard kicked his way beyond 1,000 points for the club on his 150th appearance to earn praise from his head coach and director of rugby Derek Beaumont.

Meanwhile, Leigh boss Rowley indicated how far some players will go after replacing star fullback Gregg McNally midway through the second half against Barrow.

“A fullback generally runs between seven and nine kilometres a game so you can imagine how far Gregg has ran for the cause this past few days,” he explained.

Kurt Haggerty has been suspended for two games after submitting an early guilty plea to a Grade C punching charge from the Halifax game.

Centurions’ reserves went down to their first defeat of the season on Saturday, losing 25-16 to Halifax.

They could bounce back when Paul Anderson’s side play at Golborne Parkside on Saturday, kick off 2.30pm, against Cumbrian Regional Academy.