LEIGH Centurions secured pole position in their Northern Rail Cup qualifying group with a game to spare.
But they had to work overtime to clinch the points that brought a fifth successive victory - their best run of victories for more than a year.
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Playing with confidence and skill, the Raiders showed why they are considered to be one of the major contenders once the National League Two season kicks off at Easter.
They showed commendable character to fight back from 12-0 down to lead the Centurions 14-12 at the break.
Despite running into the teeth of a gale in the second half, Leigh put right many of their first half wrongs. They weathered an almost constant wave of Raiders attacks and took two of their own chances at the other end to cement maximum points.
Two tries in the first eight minutes gave Leigh a flying start.
In only their second attack of the game, young stand-off Ryan Powell provided the assist for outstanding centre Toa Kohe-Love to smash his way over for a try that Ian Watson converted.
Moments later, the crafty Watson was the creator as his chip over the top landed perfectly for Lee Doran to collect and gallop under the posts for another six-pointer.
Leigh's game deteriorated from that point and in the space of 10 minutes the Raiders had hit back with three tries of their own.
Lively hooker Andy Ellis collected the first; Mike Whitehead stretched over for a second and a flowing movement was finished off by winger Mike Backhouse. Matt Ashe added one conversion to give Barrow and unlikely half-time advantage.
Leigh improved their completion rate in the second half and threw up a defensive blanket to prevent the Raiders score a single point after half time.
Ten minutes in, Centurions regained the lead when sub Dave McConnell provided the pass for skipper Jimmy Taylor to plunge for another try goaled by the immaculate Watson.
The crucial score came on 66 minutes when full-back Steve Maden joined the line perfectly to beat two men and go over for the score that opened up a 10 point advantage at 24-14.
Leigh effectively closed the game down from that point and, with four minutes left, Watson struck his fifth goal of the game.
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