Leigh Centurions 21 Whitehaven 14 by Mike Hulme: ANOTHER game and another classic. Leigh and Whitehaven just can't stop producing nerve-shredding finishes.

First there was the opening league game at the Rec which 'Haven just edged; then there was the Arriva semi-final that Tommy Martyn won for Leigh in the last minute - and now the teams have done it again.

The Centurions put behind them their indifferent form of the last couple of months to win a game that again gives them a shout at claiming the National League One Minor Premiership - and with it the inside running to the Grand Final.

With Leigh now back on top of the table, they know a win at Batley in Sunday's final round of league games will probably be enough to clinch the title.

But it's won't end there. The division's two outstanding teams will meet again on September 26 with the winner leapfrogging straight into the Grand Final and the loser getting a second bite. Whether that game is played at Hilton Park or at the Rec is dependant on the final league placings.

And if everything goes according to form they could be squaring up again at Widnes on Grand Final day.

Leigh might now have the psychological edge, however. 'Haven came to town ready to party in celebration of winning the Minor Premiership - they went away with their tails between their legs. They couldn't handle the weight of expectation.

Leigh are old hands at this sort of thing and just when they needed it most they produced a defensive performance of the highest quality to keep their noses in front in a frenzied finale.

A buoyant Leigh coach Darren Abram said: "All three games so far have been superb. It's a credit to both sets of players what they've put on. If fans don't want to turn out and watch this type of rugby then they won't watch anything.

"It was a big game and my players get up for big games. The games we've lost this season are the ones where the players haven't got up."

Abram spoke about 'commitment' and 'desire' and Leigh had both qualities by the bucket-load as the Cumbrians tried to fight back from a 21-8 deficit.

In honesty Leigh didn't create too much in attack but what they did do was finish clinically. Whitehaven carved out the cleaner chances but with Leigh's defence in this mood - and with a bit of luck on their side - they managed to restrict them to two tries.

In one second half spell alone the Cumbrians had 20-odd tackles on the Leigh line but came up empty; Phil Jones cut down Leroy Joe on the line in the first half; Neil Turley forced a mistake over the line by Craig Calvert and Matt Sturm chopped down Carl Sice a metre short just before the end.

"All 17 players put their bodies on the line and I'm proud of them all," Abram added.

"I had a couple out there playing busted and then Jonesey dislocated and broke his finger in the first few minutes. But he wanted to stay on and played in absolute agony. That's a sort of desire we need."

It was up front where Leigh won the game. Playing behind a big, robust and mobile pack, Whitehaven relied heavily on the creative talents of halves Leroy Joe and Sam Obst. But the Leigh pack stood their ground magnificently with props Simon Knox and Sturm leading the way.

The one outstanding performer, however, was second rower David Larder. The Centurions 'quiet man' ran his blood to water as he bottled up the dangerous Mick Nanyn effectively and never shirked his responsibilities in driving forward.

But how glad Leigh must be that Abram had the foresight to recall Dave Alstead from his loan spell with Rochdale.

Wing may not be his favoured position but he never put a foot wrong all afternoon. Dependable in defence, safe as houses under the high ball and support play of the highest order should have given him the man of the match award with Larder a close second.

Leigh couldn't have wished for a better start with a try and goal on the board inside five minutes.

The penalty was clear-cut enough when Aaron Lester went high on Chris Percival and Turley slotted over the regulation kick.

But Leigh's opening try should not have stood. John Duffy's clearance kick struck Ian Knott who was standing in an off-side position; Rob Smyth seized on Whitehaven's indecision and with referee Bob Connolly waving protests away, Jones and Percival carried on the move for Alstead to finish out wide.

The lead didn't last long. Leigh's defence lost it's bearings as 'Haven ran the ball on the last tackle. An attempted long pass by Obst was somehow picked up on the half volley by David Fatialofa and the big prop had a clear run to the line.

Nanyn added the conversion and a penalty soon afterwards as Whitehaven hit the front for the first and only time.

The defining moments of the game came around the half hour mark when Leigh struck twice, once from their own line and once from close range.

Nothing seemed on when Turley collected Obst's drilled kick to the foot of the Leigh posts. But as the Whitehaven defence melted away, the full-back made 70 metres and then fed the supporting Alstead as the cover closed in. Turley's conversion made it 12-8.

Things got better still when Nanyn's re-start sailed out on the full. On the back of a long Turley touchfinder, Leigh found an opening on 'Haven's right flank and Dave McConnell forced his way over for another vital try. Turley's touchline conversion opened up a 10 point gap.

Chances were few and far between in the second half as both defences scrambled magnificently.

But it was Leigh who edged towards a winning margin thanks to Turley. He picked himself up and smacked over a 40 metres penalty after being shoulder-charged off the ball by Marc Jackson and then, just after the hour, was perfectly positioned to knock over a field goal to open up a crucial 13--point cushion.

Whitehaven needed to score three times in the final quarter. Despite a whole series of close shaves, Leigh managed to hold them to one try, the giant Ryan Tandy standing and unloading to Gary Broadbent who sent Obst under the posts for a six-pointer.

SCORERS - Leigh: Tries - Alstead (5, 30), McConnell (33). Gls: Turley 4/5. FG: Turley.

Whitehaven: Tries - Fatialofa (9), Obst (69). Gls: Nanyn 3/3.

Leigh: Turley; Smyth, Weston, Percival, Alstead; Jones, Duffy; Knox, McConnell, Sturm, Larder, Wilkes, Knott. Subs (all used): Swann, Marshall, Isherwood, Cruckshank.

Whitehaven: Broadbent; Calvert; Seeds, Nanyn; Wilson; Joe, Obst; Tandy, Lester, Fatialofa, Miller. Hill, Walsh. Subs (all used) Davidson, Sice, McKinney, Jackson.

Handling errors: Leigh 9, Whitehaven 12.

Penalties conceded: Leigh 5, Whitehaven 5.

Referee: Bob Connolly (Wigan).

Attendance: 3442

Man

rNOT an easy decision with all 17 coming up with the goods. But for sheer quality both in attack and defence it's got to go to David Alstead.

Magic

rTURLEY'S break from his own posts to set up Alstead's second try was just the flash of brilliance Leigh needed to kick on and win the game.

Moan

rNOTHING at all to moan about. Fine game, fine weather, fine crowd. Roll on September 26.