LEIGH Centurions' hopes of securing Super League rugby next season ended with a crushing 50-6 defeat to Widnes Vikings.

Overall, the Centurions were a pale version of the unit that has played such free-flowing and entertaining rugby throughout the season, making more than their fair share of errors.

The Vikings had much the better start, crossing for their first try after just two minutes when Jake Mullaney finished after good work from stand-in half-back Adrian Purtell, who was an influence throughout for the visitors alongside hooker Adam O'Brien and loose forward Danny Addy. Addy missed with the conversion attempt.

The Centurions were further disrupted in the first 10 minutes losing Gareth Hock and Tommy Goulden to head injuries and although both returned, the resulting reshuffle created initial confusion.

But a flowing move down the right saw Ben Reynolds, Ryan Brierley and Gregg McNally combined for Mathias Pala to put Johnny Pownall away only for a brilliant chase back from Danny Williams to force the substitute in touch.

At the other end, Dane Neilson put a forward pass out to James Clare, much to Leigh's relief.

Pala then kick-started the Leigh attack when he cut in brilliantly from just inside his own half and beat four men in a weaving run.

Reynolds then saw a try chalked off by the video referee and the Bulls set up camp in the Leigh half.

The Bulls were held up twice inside the Leigh goal area before a shallow kick from Purtell bamboozled the defence. Brierley and Adam Higson both missed the collecting the ball and Williams touched down. This time Addy goaled and Bradford led 10-0.

From making so many errors, Leigh then cleaned up their act and got on a roll before half-time, led in the main by Bob Beswick, Jake Emmitt and Micky Higham.

They managed to level the scores with a couple of great tries.

Firstly to Higson at the corner from a brilliant Beswick pass before McNally crossed from a swift play down the left. Ryan Brierley goaled to ensure the sides went in level at 10-10.

Early in the second half, Leigh set up a promising position only to fritter away possession and Widnes took full advantage, sucking the defence in before playing down the left for Mullaney to send Williams diving at the corner for his second try. Addy converted from the touchline and it was 16-10 to the visitors.

An Addy penalty soon had the scoreboard ticking again at 18-10 before the game changing couple of minutes.

From the restart the Vikings coughed up possession and Leigh attacked confidently with a pass left disrupted.

It bounced up into the path of Liam Kay who ran in at the corner but was hauled back with the initial pass being deemed forward.

Bradford then worked their way downfield for O'Brien to grubber behind the line.

Former Leigh centre Matty Blythe beat all comers to the score and Leigh trailed 24-10 with 16 minutes remaining. Another Addy penalty made it 26-10 and the visiting fans turned the noise level up.

The Centurions continued to plug away and eventually found a way to the line through Bob Beswick. Brierley converted but as the hosts went in further search of consolation, a loose pass was collected by Jay Pitts and Blythe ran away from the chasers for Addy to complete a six goal haul and confirm the Vikings win against mistake-ridden Leigh.

Leigh: McNally, Higson, Pala, Armstrong, Kay; Reynolds, Brierley; Moimoi, Higham, Spencer, Haggerty, Goulden, Hock. Subs (all used): Beswick, Wilkes, Pownall, Emmitt.

Attendance: 4,621.