Leigh Centurions 34 Newcastle Thunder 18

They opened the scoring when Ben Reynolds kick was plucked from the air by Nene Macdonald and the big centre touched down.

Newcastle hit back immediately through Halsall with Shorrocks adding the extras.

But 10 minutes before the break Leigh responded when nice work from Macdonald and Joe Mellor saw the supporting Reynolds to score. He added the extras to put Leigh 10-6 up.

Leigh added to it when Caleb Aekins sped through the Thunder defence for a try, then Aaron Smith went over from close range. Reynolds converted both kicks to make 22-6 at the break.

They extended their lead on 47 minutes when Jy Hitchcox tossed the ball inside for the supporting Aekins to grab his second. Reynolds goaled.

Newcastle responded through Jesse Dee, with Shorrocks goaling. Leigh responded with a Keanan Brand try, with Reynolds converting.

Newcastle had the last word when Isaac Nokes raced through for a try, which Shorrocks converted.

Leigh Centurions: Aekins, Hitchcox, Macdonald, Chamberlain, Brand, Reynolds, Mellor (C), Sidlow (C), Smith, Amone, Stone, Wardle, Asiata.

Subs: Jones, Ioane, McDonnell, Hingano.

Tries: Macdonald, Reynolds, Aekins (2), Smith, Brand.

Goals: Reynolds (5).

Newcastle Thunder: Mullen, Boafo, Nokes, Halsall, Hanley, Shorrocks, Woods, Wilde, Eaves, Chapelhow, Foster, Dee, Hallas.

Subs: Peachey, Nicholson, Moran, Day.

Tries: Halsall, Dee, Nokes.

Goals: Shorrocks (3).

Attendance: 3009.

Pictures: Richard Walker.