RYAN Brierley bagged a hat-trick as Leigh finally launched their bid for Super League at the fourth time of asking.

Centurions’ hot property touched down twice in the first half as Paul Rowley’s team shrugged off Martyn Ridyard’s sin binning to lead 24-10 at the break.

And Brierley completed his treble 17 minutes from time as part of the home side’s nine try rout of their Championship rivals at Leigh Sports Village.

Only Halifax of the Middle 8 teams have now to open their win account as Paul Rowley’s Championship kings returned from their mini-break with points to prove. And it’s Halifax next up for Leigh before finishing-off against Bradford and Widnes.

Even Ridyard’s yellow card for holding down after referee James Child put the home side on a team warning couldn’t derail Leigh’s victory charge.

Ridyard eventually finished with eight goals as Leigh shrugged off previous defeats against: Hull KR, Salford and Wakefield.

Micky Higham opened the scoring after 12 minutes before James Davey grabbed the first of three Eagles touchdowns after 24 minutes.

But that was as close as Mark Aston’s side got as Andrew Dixon and Brierley (2) put Leigh in command despite a Scott Turner reply just before the break.

Liam Kay and Fuifui Moimoi stretched the advantage only for Sam Smeaton to hit back with an interception just before the hour mark. There was no way back, however, for the part timers and Brierley-with a length of the field effort- Tommy Goulden and Gregg McNally rounded off the formalities.

Challenge Cup finalists Hull KR (over Wakefield), Widnes (at Bradford) and Salford (at Halifax on Saturday) were the other Middle 8 winners.