LEIGH signed off their home campaign in the worst possible fashion with 30-16 defeat by Batley and injury to stand-off Ben Reynolds.

Happily, Reynolds is recovering after being taken to hospital for x-rays on a serious looking neck problem.

The game was held up for nearly 15 minutes to allow the popular half-back to receive medical assistance.

After an anxious wait for news on Reynolds’ condition, head coach Kieron Purtill tweeted: “Just spoke to Ben Reynolds. X-ray is clear. on his way home.

“He will be checked again by the medical staff who did a fantastic job on the pitch. Thanks to everyone for asking and both sets of supporters.”

It’s unlikely, however, Reynolds will feature in Centurions’ final Championship Shield fixture at former club Dewsbury on Sunday.

Leigh began their Championship campaign with a 34-6 victory over the Bulldogs last February.

And when they led 16-10 early in the second half, another home win looked favourite.

Instead, Matt Diskin’s visitors scored 20 unanswered points in the final 25 minutes to leave the Leigh Sports Village crowd stunned.

Sin binnings for Josh Johnson and recalled Ryan Bailey in the last quarter hardly helped Leigh’s cause.

Defeat doesn’t effect Leigh’s place in next month’s Championship Shield final but it did confirm Featherstone will have home advantage.

“I think it’s pretty obvious for anyone watching that our tanks are empty,” admitted Purtill.

“It’s been a tough season. We’ve been in a lot of big games and lost a lot of players.

“Mentally, more than anything, the group is at rock bottom at the moment.

“They’re finding it very difficult to motivate themselves and that came across in the performance.

“It’s a group that’s had a long year and is waiting for the season to end so we can re-group and see where we are going.”

For the home farewell, Leigh recalled prop Jamie Acton at the completion of a seven game ban imposed for elbowing Tom Hemingway when the sides previously met at Mount Pleasant on July 8.

Purtill also gave another chance to local prospects Sam Peet, Brad Whelan and Mitch Cox.

As they were at Rochdale a week earlier, Leigh were slow out of the blocks. Lewis Galbraith and Johnny Campbell touched down to make it 8-0 after 15 minutes.

Eventually, as they did at Spotland, Centurions came to life as Ricky Bailey and Jack Owens crossed the visitors line. Reynolds added one conversion and Leigh led 10-8 at the break.

Dave Scott’s penalty tied the scores early in the second half before a Reynolds try and conversion put Leigh back in the lead.

That though was as good as it got for Leigh with Campbell, Scott and Louis Jouffret touching down and Scott kicking four goals.

Match stats:

Leigh

Owens; Ricky Bailey, Peet, Dawson-Jones, Bergal; Reynolds, Hutchison; Ryan Bailey, Higham Acton, Larroyer, Cox, Walne.

Substitutes: Johnson, Blagbrough, Dezaria, Whelan.

Tries: Ricky Bailey (26), Owens (33), Reynolds (45).

Goals: Reynolds 2/ 3.

Sin bins: Johnson (63), Ryan Bailey (73).

Batley

Scott; Reittie, Smeaton, Galbraith, Campbell; Jouffret, Brambani; Gledhill, Leak, Harrison, Day, Bretherton, Brown.

Substitutes: Davey, Rowe, Tomlinson, Ward.

Tries: Galbraith (6), Campbell (15, 49), Scott (48), Jouffret (68).

Goals: Scott 5/ 8.

Sin bin: Galbraith (73).

Referee: Billy Pearson

Half-time: 10-8.

Attendance: 1,730.