LEIGH Centurions created a new club record after sweeping Whitehaven aside to claim their 17th consecutive win.

They are unbeaten since last July, with their record-breaking run including the final 10 games of last season and the first seven of the current campaign.

Paul Rowley's side racked up 12 tries, with wingers Jonathan Pownall and Liam Kay both scoring hat-tricks, while Martyn Ridyard notched up a rare brace of tries and kicked six goals in blustery conditions.

Gregg McNally maintained his fine form in games against his hometown team with a try and performance exuding class with every play.

Leigh made the perfect start after two minutes when classy centre play from Michael Platt paved the way for Pownall's first in the right corner.

There was an interesting early duel in the opposite centre between Haven youngster Connor Holliday and Tom Armstrong with the visiting threequarter twice putting Armstrong in touch.

The Leigh centre recovered to link with McNally to send Kay diving over by the left corner flag before Platt grabbed a try of his own to make it 12-0 after just 11 minutes.

Whitehaven then enjoyed a solid spell, going close through Papua New Guinea international Dion Aiye but when McNally nabbed the ball and blazed past halfway, Pownall was in support for a memorable second try to which Ridyard added the goal.

Ridyard turned try scorer as halfback partner Ryan Brierley slid in a teasing grubber kick that got away from Gregg Wilde.

This sparked a further two tries for the hosts as mesmeric hands saw the ball move right and then back left for Kay to cross on the half hour and more incisive play brought up Pownall's treble on the right.

Leigh led 32-0 at half-time and Whitehaven needed a good start.

Unfortunately, the restart got away from them and only some alert defence by the posts halted Pownall as he went in search of further glory.

The next play brought Leigh's eighth try as Jake Emmitt bowled his way over from close range.

With Oliver Wilkes showing good form up front in his 400th senior game and the returning Martin Aspinwall also punching holes, this sucked the defence in to allow a long distance raid from Kay.

McNally trailed the inside to take the return pass and within five minutes of the start of the second half Leigh led 44-0.

Whitehaven then enjoyed their best period of the game but Leigh responded as Sean Penkywicz put Kay in for his hat-trick.

After 58 minutes Jamie Acton and Tyla Hepi traded blows and got sinbinned but this failed to quell the Centurions and they broke away from deep before Pownall sent Brierley to the posts just after the hour.

The game threatened to peter out with both teams guilty of spilling the ball before Leigh went down the ground for their 12th and final try; McNally gliding through before Ridyard finished off and converted to hand Leigh a comprehensive victory that keeps them clear of the chasing pack at the top of the Kingstone Press Championship.

Leigh Centurions: Gregg McNally, Jonathan Pownall, Michael Platt, Tom Armstrong, Liam Kay; Martyn Ridyard, Ryan Brierley; Tom Spencer, Bob Beswick, Jamie Acton, Andrew Dixon, Tommy Goulden, Sam Hopkins. Subs (all used): Sean Penkywicz, Oliver Wilkes, Martin Aspinwall, Jake Emmitt.

Referee: Robert Hicks.

Attendance: 3,006.