FORMER Leigh Centurions points machine Neil Turley has praised Ryan Brierley, who moved above him into the top-five list of Leigh Centurions’ all-time record try scorers on Sunday.

Brierley’s brace against Bradford Bulls in the 32-32 draw at Odsal took his tally to 133 tries for the club in only 125 games since his debut in 2012.

He overtook Turley in the all-time list with his second try and now has Des Drummond’s tally of 141 tries next in his sights.

“It’s a great achievement by Ryan and it’s nice to see him in the top five,” said Turley, a regular attendee at Leigh Sports Village.

“People say that he has a similar game to me in many respects and personally I think full back is his best position. There was no way he’d have played there last year with Gregg McNally playing so well but maybe Ryan might have a few games there this year.

“I took my kids to the London game and it was nice that they remarked on seeing my name in the programme for a few records. It’s nice to look back and see my name. I’m sure Ryan will feel the same when he eventually retires, which I hope is a long day off. It’s only then that any records you’ve achieved begin to sink in.

“I hope Ryan keeps running in the tries and goes on to become the all-time Club record try-scorer. I felt embarrassed to beat a couple of John Woods’ records but as John told me records are there to be broken.”

Mick Martyn leads the way with 189 Leigh tries, followed by John Woods with 152 and Bill Kindon with 149.

Turley scored 132 tries for Leigh in only 124 appearances and would surely have added many more to that tally but for being forced to retire from the game in his mid 20s due to injury.

Turley’s third place in Leigh’s all-time records points-scorers is under threat from Martyn Ridyard as soon as Leigh’s number six makes his return from injury.

Turley amassed 1,519 points for the club with only John Woods (2,492pts) and Jimmy Ledgard (2,194pts) ahead of him.

Turley’s tally was made up of 132 tries, 488 goals and 15 drop goals in those 124 appearances.

Ridyard has now scored 1,515pts since his debut in 2009 from 72 tries, 610 goals and 7 drop goals in 194 appearances.

“Ridy’s another local lad and a good friend of mine,” Turley added. “I certainly wouldn’t begrudge him that. He’s a great player and I know how proud he is to play for Leigh.”

Meanwhile, congratulations are also due to new signing Lee Smith who reached the milestone of 100 career tries at Odsal.

Smith’s second-half try was his second for the club and followed 68 for Leeds Rhinos, 23 for Wakefield Trinity Wildcats and seven for England.