THE future may be uncertain but Leigh’s players delivered the best possible response to the on-going off field distractions with a 68-6 rout of Sheffield Eagles, writes Trevor Baxter.

Given recent dramas and the start of a Middle 8s competition Centurions expected to be part of, it would have been easy to let standards slip for an almost academic fixture.

Instead, Kieron Purtill’s side ran in 12 tries against opponents they had only beaten 34-10 a fortnight earlier.

Winger Ilias Bergal scored four of them while Jack Owens, partnering Drew Hutchison at half-back in the absence of Ben Reynolds, kicked 10 goals from a dozen attempts as well as touching down for a try.

It all added up to a successful afternoon for Centurions.

The professionalism of the performance wasn’t lost on Purtill whose own future continues to be the subject of speculation.

“After what the group has been through to turn out that performance was outstanding,” he said.

“I’m proud of all the guys. Not just the guys who played but the ones that haven’t made the squad.

“They’ve turned it round and performed and rewarded the fans who turned up.

“There’s probably not a great deal to play for until the final. But the 17 players that turned out showed what it means to pull on a Leigh shirt and we’ve got to build our foundations on.”

No-one epitomised the spirit more than ex Centurions reserve teamer, Mitch Cox.

Recently playing in the National Conference for Thatto Heath, he scored a try on debut and earned Purtill’s respect.

“What a great story and what a great character and a great person,” added Purtill.

“To stick his hand up and say ‘I’ll play for this club’ shows what it meant to him.”

Bergal, who grabbed a second half hat-trick against the Eagles when the sides met previously, began the rout with a fifth minute touch down.

He went on to add three more in a 17-minute spell either side of half-time before bowing out of the action with a leg problem.

Nathan Mason, Hutchison and Cox also crossed the visitors' line as Leigh led 34-0 at the break.

Bergal began the second half with his fourth try and Ricky Bailey also joined in the rout before Joshua Toole avoided a whitewash for the Eagles with a 54th minute try.

But it was just a blip for the home team who scored four further tries from Liam Hood, Owens, Hutchison again and Matty Dawson-Jones.

Leigh: Dagger; Ricky Bailey, Evans, Dawson-Jones, Bergal; Owens, Hutchison; Adam Walne, Hood, Mason, Larroyer, Jordan Walne, Dezaria. Subs: Higham, Blagbrough, Richards, Cox.

Tries: Bergal (5, 25, 36, 42), Mason (23), Hutchison (28, 74), Cox (39), Bailey (50), Hood (64), Owens (71), Dawson-Jones (78).

Goals: Owens 10/12.

Eagles: Thomas; Macani, Yere, Toole, Makelim; Aston, Brown; Offerdahl, Fozard, Pick, Bentley, Weldon, James. Subs: Burns, Garcia, Davies, Burns.

Try: Toole (54).

Goal: Thomas 1/ 1.

Referee: Nick Bennett.

Half-time: 34-0;

Attendance: 2,647.