SAM Hopkins grabbed a 13 minute, second half hat-trick and man of the match award as Leigh opened their Kingstone Press Championship win account for 2016.

But Ryan Brierley still grabbed the headlines and he didn’t make a pass, tackle or kick.

Brierley’s omission, after initial inclusion in Centurions’ 19-man squad, fuelled speculation he could be on his way to Super League with Huddersfield Giants or Leeds Rhinos.

But coach Neil Jukes insisted after Leigh’s nine try win over the division’s hard working newcomers, his coveted playmaker was only left out for tactical reasons and nothing more sinister.

And the player himself continues to tow the party line despite all the gossip and rumour.

“There is a good chance Ryan will be playing (against London Broncos) this week,” said Jukes after Hopkins’ treble helped kill-off the visitors’ resistance.

“If I coach here for six weeks or six years then I will pick a team to win the game not to please people.

“There is no pressure coming from above in who I pick because at the end of the day I will fall on my sword.

“My relationship with Ryan is outstanding and he has been superb in terms of support from me getting the job. There is no issue at all.”

Martyn Ridyard and Rangi Chase were chosen in front of Brierley who was also absent from the substitutes bench.

However, replying to a Tweet about suggestions he could be moving to treble winning Leeds and a chance to play alongside idol, Danny McGuire, Brierley replied: “Everyone wants to line up alongside there (sic) hero but ive got a job to do at Leigh at the moment.”

Despite the unwanted attention caused by Brierley’s absence, Jukes’ team bounced back from the season opening defeat at Batley Bulldogs.

They trailed 6-4 after 15 minutes when Tom Ashton’s try and Lewis Palfrey’s conversion cancelled out Jonny Pownall’s unconverted 11th minute opener.

But by the time Adam Clay touched down for the Roughyeds’ second try after 65 minutes, Leigh had scored 44 unanswered points.

The spree included an Adam Higson brace plus a debut try for three-time Grand Final winner, Lee Smith, who also kicked two goals. Reni Maitua, also making his first home Centurions’ appearance, and Fuifui Moimoi added the other tries.

“There was a 20-minute spell in the second half when we let them dictate the speed of the game,” said Oldham coach Scott Naylor.

“But apart from that 20 minutes - for an hour in other words – I didn’t think there was much between the teams, to be totally honest.”

Naylor’s suggestion and his team’s display was backed up by Leigh owner, Derek Beaumont, who said:” I genuinely believe that if Oldham can play like every week they will still be in the Championship next year.”

It remains to be seen if Brierley and Leigh will still be with them!

Leigh: Smith; Pownall, Higson, Armstrong, Kay; Ridyard, Chase; Moimoi, Foster, Weston, Hansen, Dixon, Hock; subs: Higham, Hopkins, Maitua, Emmitt.

Tries: Pownall (11), Smith (23), Higson (31, 36), Hopkins (45, 53, 58), Moimoi (60), Maitua (62); Goals: Ridyard (4), Smith (2)

Oldham: Lepori; Clay, Holmes, Ashton, Chisholm; Palfrey, Roper; Joy, Owen, Spencer, Crowley, Langtree, Hope; subs: Gee, Thompson, Files, Ward.

Tries: Ashton (15), Clay (65), Palfrey (77); Goals: Palfrey (3)

Referee: Sam Ansell.

Attendance: 3371.