LEIGH'S mean machine moved through the gears to reach the sixth round of the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup and strike a psychological blow for the rest of their Championship campaign.

For the second time in six games, Centurions kept the opposition scoreless and have now conceded only four points in the competition so far.

More importantly, a second victory over the Londoners in three weeks put down another marker against one of their top four rivals.

Leigh return to Championship action against Barrow on Sunday, still outside the Middle 8s places but on a run of seven successive victories.

Ben Crooks scored two of the home side’s seven tries while Ben Reynolds kicked six goals from seven attempts. And Leigh’s place in the last 16 was all but guaranteed by half-time as they led 22-0.

In the last three games, Leigh have amassed 180 points conceding only 30 in reply.

“I thought we were very professional,” said happy caretaker boss Kieron Purtill, giving a debut off the bench to new signing Ryan Bailey. “Each week we have been building nicely.

“We made a focus about our second halves. Even though we have been winning games recently, our starts to second halves haven’t been great.

“It was set for set early on and you have got to ride the storm a little bit first of all against London.

“So, when your chances come you have got to take them. The boys are confident, but the pleasing thing was the zero.

“At the end the boys were still scrambling to stop London getting over the try line. That’s the sign of a good team.”

And Purtill agreed: “It does send a message out. We have got to go down there in a few week’s time and they will probably have a few players back.

“So, we have got to be professional and we will prepare like we did for this game.

“The boys are very confident. They enjoy what they are doing. They enjoy coming into training and we are training well which is coming out when we play on Sundays.”

Broncos’ resistance was broken after 16 minutes when Matty Dawson-Jones dived in for his eighth try of the campaign.

Liam Hood-with his sixth try and five games and Craig Hall’s 11th of the season increased Leigh’s advantage to 16-0 after 22 minutes.

Hall turned provider just before the break for Jack Owens to touch down for Leigh’s fourth try of the first period.

After the interval, it was Ben Crooks’ turn to join in the try spree with a double inside three minutes.

And Harrison Hansen rounded off the scoring with 11 minutes remaining.

*Former Southampton star Matt Le Tissier will be guest speaker at a sportsman’s dinner at Leigh Cricket Club on Friday, June 1. Comedian Gary Marshall provides the entertainment and tickets, costing £40, include a three-course meal. For more information contact www.leighcc.org

Match stats: Leigh: Mata’utia; Dawson-Jones, Crooks, Hall, Owens; Reynolds, Hutchinson; Mason, Hood, Acton, Hansen, B.Thompson, J. Thompson; substitutes: Higham, Bailey, Richards, Larroyer.

Tries: Dawson-Jones (18), Hood (20), Hall (22), Owens (36), Crooks (49 and 53), Hansen (69).

Goals: Reynolds (6).

London Broncos: Dixon; Kear, Channing, Fleming, Williams; Pewhairangi, Meadows; Spencer, Sammut, Battye, Pitts, Gee, M Davis; substitutes S Davis, Bienek, Adebiyi, Butler.

Tries: None.

Goals: None.

Half-time: 22-0.

Referee: Liam Moore.

Attendance: 2,507.