LEIGH’S shock defeat at Batley Bulldogs on the opening weekend of the new Championship season proved a blessing in disguise.

That’s the verdict of coach Neil Jukes hoping Centurions, however, aren’t as charitable in Sunday’s re-match at Leigh Sports Village.

“It certainly brought reality to some of the guys who didn’t realise how hard the Championship was going to be,” said Jukes of Leigh’s 24-22 loss on February 7.

“If anything we should credit Batley because it was a wake-up call.

“The guys were smarting after that loss but it did us no harm and actually put us on our toes.

“The draw at Bradford did us no harm either. It showed we can’t play against good teams for an hour; we have got to play for 80 minutes.”

Batley lost only one of their first eight league games and have since earned a Challenge Cup last 16 home tie with Super League high flyers, Catalans Dragons.

But they have failed to win any of their their last three Championship outings, including a 32-24 Mount Pleasant upset against Swinton Lions

“It will be a difficult game because while they have been inconsistent over the last few weeks, they have shown on their day, when they produce their A game, they are a difficult side to break down,” confirmed Jukes.

“And after a big loss to Swinton last week they will be smarting. John Kear will have them ripping up trees so we will obviously get a backlash from that.”

And Jukes has plenty of time for Bulldogs’ boss Kear.

“From a personal point of view if I achieve half of what he has achieved, I will be pleased. He is a gentleman.

“He said to me after the first game ‘I wish you the best of luck, apart from the two games we play against you.’”

Jukes could have Willie Tonga and Greg Worthington available to face Batley as the club’s early season injury crisis subsides.

“Willie is touch and go but he will definitely feature this week or in the Oldham game,” said Jukes. “And Greg may be okay.

“Andrew Dixon has been able to knock two weeks off his recovery and will be able to play around Summer Bash time while Gregg McNally has got his brace off and will be able to do some field sessions with the boys shortly.”

After his recent major health scare Fuifui Moimoi continues to recover well.

“Fui goes to hospital on Friday with the medical staff so we should have a better idea of when we can get him back into the squad training,” added Jukes.

On last Sunday’s 30-24 success at Featherstone last Sunday Jukes said:“We did it tough but you can’t knock the lads' confidence and character. We just need to be a lot smarter in what we are doing.

“We have had a big focus over the last four or five weeks on being accountable in their roles. Slowly but surely some individuals are getting a bit better. "