LIAM Kay was the toast of town after the Centurions kicked off their pre-season programme with an 18-14 derby triumph over arch-rivals Wigan Warriors at Leigh Sports Village.

The winger, who scored 27 tries last season, swept in for a hat-trick as Paul Rowley's Championship hopefuls claimed the bragging rights in thrilling local derby against their neighbours from Super League.

The Warriors fielded nine of their Grand Final team but the home contingent in a crowd of 4,000-plus saw marquee signing Fuifui Moimoi provide inspiration with his energy while Kay's finishing power proved crucial - his third try coming five minutes from time when the visitors appeared to have done enough to secure the spoils.

Wigan had the best of the first quarter and took the lead after 14 minutes when Joel Tomkins sent Josh Charnley in at the corner. Matty Smith missed the conversion but amid the heavy collisions of the middle men he kept Leigh at bay with some good long kicking.

The Centurions responded with Jake Emmitt grinding some hard yards and it paid off as the Warriors came under pressure down the flanks.

After 22 minutes Wigan’s defence attempted to rush Tom Armstrong but he rode the challenge of Joel Tomkins and fed Kay who went in for his first try in the corner. Despite feeling the effects of flu, Ryan Brierley struck a superb touchline conversion to nudge Leigh in front.

After threatening with a couple of promising runs down the right from Greg Worthington, the Centurions conjured up a second try when fellow new signing Ben Reynolds kicked left. Ryan Hampshire spilled the ball and Charnley could only look on as Kay dashed in to ground in the corner again. Once more Brierley goaled and Leigh led 12-4.

That evaporated in the second half as Wigan grabbed two tries in the first 12 minutes, the first when Matty Bowen inspired Joe Burgess with a high kick that saw him climb higher than the Leigh defence, then having earlier been brought down on the last tackle, Hampshire dashed through the middle to the posts for a try he converted himself for a 14-12 lead.

Armstrong and Kay were put in touch in quick succession and Higson also went into touch as the Centurions bravado looked set to go against them.

And with the game seemingly running away from them it took a despairing tackle in the right corner to deny Charnley a second try.

But with the crowd feeding off the energy of Moimoi and come eye-catching offloads from Jonny Walker, Leigh worked their way back into the game.

The arrival of the three youngsters from the clubs reserves - Sam Peet, Jamie Tracy and Lewis Foster - provided an additional boost as Rowley's men put in a powerful and ultimately successful finish.

After Adam Higson had been hauled down close to the line Ben Reynolds' kick gave Kay the chance to complete his hat-trick and his accuracy from the touchline added the extras.

Centurions: Gregg McNally, Adam Higson, Greg Worthington, Tom Armstrong, Liam Kay; Ben Reynolds, Ryan Brierley; Fuifui Moimoi, Bob Beswick, Jamie Acton, Oliver Wilkes, Tommy Goulden, Sam Barlow.

Substitutes: Cameron Pitman, Sean Penkywicz, Jake Emmitt, Jamie Tracy, Johnathan Pownall, Sam Peet, Sam Hopkins, Lewis Foster, Jonny Walker.

Tries: Kay (22, 35, 75)

Goals: Brierley 2/2, Reynolds 1/1.

Wigan Warriors: Ryan Hampshire, Josh Charnley, Joel Tomkins, Oliver Gildart, Dominic Manfredi; George Williams, Matty Smith; Dominic Crosby, Michael McIlorum, Ryan Sutton, Liam Farrell, John Bateman, Larne Patrick.

Substitutes: Matty Bowen, George Burgess, Taulima Tautai, Logan Tomkins, Lewis Tierney, James Greenwood, Connor Farrell, Jamie Doran, Rob Lever, Jake Shorrocks, Kyle Shelford.

Tries: Charnley (14), Burgess (44), Hampshire (51).

Goals: Hampshire 1/2, Smith 0/1.

Referee: Mr P Bentham.

Attendance: 4,135.