DANNY Richardson produced his best performance in a Leigh shirt as Centurions recorded a first Betfred Championship away win of the season.

The dual registration, St Helens halfback didn’t score as winger Stefan Marsh grabbed the first and last of Leigh’s six touchdowns

But he produced a brace of try assists, kicked a superb first half 40/20 and generally looked happy in his work.

“I thought Danny was superb,” said head coach John Duffy after Leigh avoided a third successive defeat.

“I had a chat with him during the week about adversity and what he’s been through in the last few months

“He got us through some big bits of that game and deserved everything he got.

Leigh Journal:

“Generally, we looked more fluent with our attack and looked crisp and classy when we put on our plays.

“Liam Hood was superb when he came on. Joe Cator did 80 minutes and there some big performances across the board.”

Hood, on second debut after his return from Widnes, touched down on the half hour to spark a run of 16 points in 10 minutes to bust open the game.

Gregg McNally, Matty Costello and Toby Adamson also crossed the home line with Martyn Ridyard kicking three goals before his precautionary departure with a groin injury.

The game burst into life inside the opening minute as Luke Adamson and Swinton’s Oliver Partington were sin binned by referee Greg Dolan following midfield melee involving most of the 26 players.

Leigh won the penalty for Partington’s initial challenge and moments later Centurions created space on their left edge to send-in Marsh for an unconverted try.

With a gale force wind at their backs Leigh should have scored more points.

But they couldn’t profit from Richardson’s 40/20, Luke Adamson dropped the ball under the posts while Costello and Jonny Pownall contrived to mess up a chance when it was easier to score.

Finally, after 30 minutes, Hood, coming off the bench, burrowed over from dummy half. Ridyard goaled and added a second conversion when McNally marked his return from a three-game injury absence with a strong finish.

Costello added Leigh’s fourth try of the half despite home appeals the hooter sounded with a tackle completed.

Swinton posed a greater attacking threat after the interval and Lewis Hatton’s pass was well finished by winger Matty Ashton and goaled by Harry Smith.

Any concerns about a home comeback evaporated after 56 minutes as Richardson did the leg work and Toby Adamson dived over to give Ridyard an easy conversion.

Swinton, with ex Centurion Jamie Acton in their ranks, gamely stuck to their task and Ashton sprinted in unopposed after Liam Forsyth’s initial 40-meres surge.

Leigh though had the last word and Richardson’s superb cut out pass gave Marsh the chance to double his try tally.

Match stats:

Swinton: Hansen; Butt, Forsyth, Williams, Ashton; Smith, Fairclough; Bennion, Waterworth, Hatton, Shelford, Halton, Partington; substitutes: Kenga, Acton, Brickhill, Jones.

Tries: Ashton (46, 70)

Goals: Smith 2/2

Leigh: McNally; Pownall, Costello, I Thornley, Marsh; Ridyard, Richardson; L Adamson, Higham, Brooks, T Adamson, Bentley, Cator; substitutes: Hood, Spencer, A Thornley, Gregson.

Tries: Marsh (3, 76) Hood (30), McNally (36), Costello (40), T Adamson (56)

Goals: Ridyard 3/5, Richardson 0/1

Referee: Greg Dolan

Half-time: 0-20

Attendance: 2,054