Turley close to record total

Leigh's prolific Neil Turley put himself in the record books yesterday by equalling the 32 tries scored by Paul Charlton 30 years ago ­ the most by a full-back in a season.

Leigh's prolific Neil Turley put himself in the record books yesterday by equalling the 32 tries scored by Paul Charlton 30 years ago ­ the most by a full-back in a season.

Turley's big moment came after 32 minutes when he raced on to a pass from John Duffy and had the pace and the hand-off to stay clear of Dewsbury's defence on a 35-yard run to the line.

With a minimum of 12 games left this season, Turley will not only go on to beat the Salford and Great Britain full-back's record, he could also top the club record of 49 by Steve Halliwell.

Leigh are so dominant in the Northern Ford Premiership ­ this win took them 10 points clear of the side that beat them in last year's Grand Final ­ that Turley could have plenty of chances to reach his half-century. As a marked man, however, he needs to watch his discipline. He was one of a number of Leigh players who left something to be desired in that area when Dewsbury lifted their game in the second half.

Despite still being second in the table going into this game, Dewsbury's self-confidence has taken a battering with the departure of their coach, Neil Kelly, and several of their players.

That vulnerability was all too apparent in the way that Phil Kendrick, Dave Whittle and Turley went over for first-half tries, with Simon Svabic landing five goals.

With Dewsbury far more committed after the break, the second half was a more combative affair, especially when Kendrick and Barry Eaton were dispatched to the sin-bin after one of a series of skirmishes.

Dan Potter and Andrew Spink forced their ways over from close range and Adrian Flynn and Richard Baker both scored from kicks to the wing.

Leigh kept comfortably in front with tries from Chris Morley, from a wonderful pass from Willie Swann, and Dave Ingram, from Simon Baldwin's little kick.

Leigh Centurions: Turley; Ingram, Anderson, Kendrick, Watts; Svabic, Swann; Leatham, Hamilton, Bradbury, Baldwin, Morley, Bristow. Substitutes used: Street, Whittle, Bretherton, Duffy.

Dewsbury Rams: Graham; Baker, Potter, Crouthers, Flynn; Mycoe, Eaton; Fisher, Pachniuk, Jowitt, Smith, A Spink, Ball. Substitutes used: Kain, K Spink, Hicks, McDonald.

Referee: C Morris (Huddersfield).

Noble hoping Saints pair are reprieved

St Helens have gained support for their hopes of having two players, threatened by suspension, available for the Silk Cut Challenge Cup final at Twickenham from a surprising source ­ their opponents, Bradford.

Paul Newlove will face the Rugby League's disciplinary committee tomorrow over the high tackle for which he was sent off at Warrington on Friday. His team-mate Paul Sculthorpe could also be ordered to appear after appearing to catch Danny Nutley with an elbow.

But the Bulls' coach, Brian Noble, believes both should play, saying, "I want to play against the best team they can put out, to test us to the limit."