Swinton Lions 10 Leigh Centurions 24 by Mike Hulme

THREE tries from centre Dale Cardoza - two of them in the final quarter - helped maintain Leigh's 100 per cent start to the season.

Cardoza's late burst gave Leigh a flattering winning margin after they had struggled to keep a vastly improved Swinton in check.

Inspired by former Leigh prop Simon Knox, the Lions showed they are a far different proposition this year and have the potential to push for the National League Two title.

Leigh, a division above, still have plenty of room for improvement but will be pleased to have kept the Lions to just two tries in difficult conditions.

A heavy pitch, strong wind and driving rain did nothing to help create a flowing game with Leigh forced to slog it out in a game littered with penalties and handling errors.

Both sides had early scores wiped out, Jason Roach's effort for Swinton ruled to have come from a forward pass while Damian Munro was pulled back for a knock on. But Leigh did take the lead after 21 minutes when top try scorer Munro got on the end of a 20-pass move to slide over out wide.

Swinton lost scrum-half Chris Hough with a suspected broken leg in the build-up to Leigh's first try but hit back when former Leigh second rower Craig Wingfield was awarded a penalty try after a melee over Leigh's line. Kris Smith added the extras.

Leigh edged back in front just before the break when Cardoza muscled in for the first of his treble and John Duffy added the goal points.

Five minutes into the second half Swinton were level again when winger Hugh Thorpe scrambled in at the corner after another tryline mix-up.

After being on the defensive for much of the game, Leigh finished the stronger and in the final quarter stamped their class on the game.

Aussie half-back Pat Weisner put Cardoza in for his second and Duffy added a penalty to make it 16-10. Lee Sanderson and Adam Bristow both missed good chances before Cardoza complete his hat-trick in the 78th minute and Leroy Rivett marked his debut with a last minute touch down.