LEIGH CENTURIONS 19 WIDNES VIKINGS 14: ANTHONY Murray's smile was as wide as Hilton Park as the new Centurions star lapped up the acclaim.

And why not. The one-time Widnes cast-off had just helped mastermind Leigh's first league win of the season after six successive blanks - and with a supreme touch of irony had grabbed the decisive final try.

Now a permanent member of the Hilton Park cast after a short loan spell, Murray is ready to take centre stage.

"That was sweet," beamed the young loose-forward. "I think I owed Widnes that one."

Praising Murray's inspiration and infectious enthusiasm, coach Keith Latham who gave up part of his own salary to fund the signing, said: "He's with his hometown club and that makes a big difference to a player. He's happy to be here and he's proud to play for Leigh...and it shows."

While Murray and new skipper Chris Wilkinson helped pull the attacking strings, Leigh owe their first taste of success to their much-maligned defence.

The Centurions tackled doggedly, especially in the second half when the Vikings had them at full stretch.

To their credit they only conceded one try, a long range effort from Paul Howell that saw the Vikings overturn Leigh's half time lead of 12-6. It was an effort that Latham acknowledged. "To do that to a team of Widnes's quality shows there's nothing wrong with the players we've got here."

Tim Street set the tone with a blockbusting first half. It certainly rubbed off on young reserve prop Dean Conway - in for the suspended Andy Pucill - who was a real tower of strength.

"Those two and John Costello were the unsung heroes," Latham pointed out. "I'm especially pleased for young Dean who is a lad with a tremendous attitude, he listens and wants to learn."

New skipper Wilkinson was another who had a tremendous influence with his tactical kicking a crucial factor while on-loan winger Paul Wingfield played his part with five successful goals from as many attempts.

It was Wilkinson who set up David Ingram for Leigh's opening try, his reverse chip kick foxing the Vikings defence.

A Tony Fenlon try and Howell conversion put Widnes level but three Wingfield penalties sent Leigh in for the break leading 12-6 and ahead at the interval for the first time this season.

A try and two goals from Howell early in the second half had the Vikings ahead for the first time in the game but with 14 minutes left Wilkinson produced another grubber that rebounded off the Widnes defence and a gleeful Murray snatched possession and shot under the posts.

A field goal from Wilkinson gave Leigh a five-point cushion to set up a frantic last 11 minutes.

Widnes almost snatched it at the end but a thumping tackle from Wilkinson forced Lee Ashton to drop the ball over the Leigh line.

LEIGH: O'Loughlin; Wingfield, Hadcroft, Donlan, Ingram; Kendrick, Wilkinson; Street, Jenkins, Conway, Costello, Geritas, Murray. Subs: (all used) Goulding, Hill, Hudspith, Garces. Attendance: 1497.

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