LEIGH Centurions bowed out of the Challenge Cup as they made their first appearance at Leigh Sports Village for 400 days.

John Duffy’s side were defeated 36-18 by Super League rivals Huddersfield Giants in the third-round tie.

They battled to the death but had left themselves with too much to do after conceding points in the early parts of each half.

Leigh, who handed a debut to former Gold Coast Giants hooker Nathan Peats off the bench, were already facing a tall order by the time he entered the action.

Leigh Journal:

Nathan Peats on debut. All pictures by Richard Walker

Huddersfield led 20-6 at that stage, with Kenny Edwards, Sam Wood and Jermaine McGilvary all crossing inside 20 minutes and Jake Wardler converting two and adding two penalty goals.

Jordan Thompson gave Leigh a bit of a hope with a 26th-minute try, converted by Ben Reynolds.

Leigh Journal:

Leigh Journal:

The hosts were not able to capitalise on Giants being reduced to 12 men when Luke Yates was sin-binned for a late tackle on Ryan Brierley eight minutes before half-time.

Huddersfield hung on and then struck first in the second period, McGilvary and Wood going over for their second efforts as Ian Watson’s side extended their lead to 28-6.

A Peats try from a charge down of Lee Gaskell's kick showed that the towel would not be thrown in, with Reynolds again converting.

Leigh Journal:

Leigh Journal:

When Thompson went over for his second improved try with 14 minutes remaining Leigh were back within 10 points.

Leigh Journal:

Adam Sidlow's yellow card two minutes later came as a blow and McGilvary's hat-trick effort and one from Lee Gaskell settled matters.

Leigh Journal: