BY the law of diminishing returns Leigh had to beat Widnes sooner or later.

And the first game of the new season was pay-back time.

Hilton Park's best crowd for several years saw two teams produce a classic with Leigh, stinging from a trio of defeats against Widnes last term, come through 24-16.

Coach Ian Millward now has a side packed with quality and character . . . Simon Baldwin, who had a towering game in the second row; Heath Cruickshank who ripped into the opposition like a man possessed; Stuart Donlan and Alan Cross who produced great finishing.

"We've sent another clear message to our doubters," beamed a delighted Millward. "Perhaps many are still waiting for things to blow up in our faces. But this team has character.

"There were crucial moments in the game when we could have handed the initiative back to Widnes. But I knew this side has steel and wouldn't crumble."

And they didn't. Even under a second half onslaught they showed extreme confidence, taking everything Widnes could throw at them and finishing with a bang with two tries in the final 13 minutes.

This Boxing Day cracker was nip and tuck from first minute to last.

Donlan set the tone with a glorious try inside three minutes, Graeme Close hit a monster of a kick off the sideline.

Kieron Purtill was gifted a second TD after great work by Mick Higham and Baldwin. But Widnes stayed in touch with Jason Donohue the spark for much of their attack.

Widnes snatched the lead before Baldwin went in from close range, then David Ingram slid in to restore Leigh's slim lead. Alan Cross wrapped it up with a try under the posts, giving Close his second goal.

LEIGH: Donlan; Cross, Purtill, Anderson, Ingram; Close, Dean; Street, Higham, Cruickshank, Baldwin, Bristow, Fairclough. Subs: Whittle, Murray, Bowker, Wingfield. Att: 4,468.

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