But for a couple of daft incidents and one dodgy refereeing decision, Hornets could have won this one and truly shown up Leigh for the mediocre underachievers that they really are.

Indeed Hornets stated their intentions after 12 minutes. A superb flat ball from Watson found Smith in support, he left a trail of defenders in his wake, drew novelty bookend Neil Turley and slotted Paul Owen neatly under the posts. Tremendous stuff.

But Hornets were caught napping on what was Leigh's first propoer foray into our territory - Rowley taking advantage of poor marker play to scoot in unopposed. Two minutes later Leigh capitalised fully on a Hornets error. Marlon Billy coughed the ball on the first tackle, Munro gathered and legged it 80 metres to score. Bit of a bugger, really.

But Hornets hit back on the half hour. Quick hands from Watson and Ayres shipped the ball left across a thinning Leigh defence; Dave Larder sucked in the last defenders and popped the ball out to Marlon who shot in for his first try for over a year. The reception it got from the crowd showed how much his attacking prowess had been missed.

At ten apiece all Hornets had to do was eat up the clock, but slow cover allowed hero-to-zero Leroy Rivett a shoo-in. Half time 10-16.

Hornets started the second half at a gallop. Three consecutive sets saw them held up over the Leigh line twice - and all we came away with was two points; Watson kicking a penalty into the deficit. When will we learn that this tactic doesn't work? If anyone can give me one incidence of Hornets taking two points when at least one score behind - then going on to win the game - I'd be very grateful. Leigh exhaled - they'd been on the back foot for a good ten minutes and we'd basically conceded field position for two points.

Then it was Hornets' turn to show their defensive prowess. In stark contrast to the flimsy flapping at the Willows, the 'Nets defence held firm under three back-to-back sets.

But what happened next wasn't pretty at all. Watson in centre field lost the ball under close attention from two Leigh players and Bristow outpaced a scrambling defence to score under the black dot. Leigh 22-12 up and the penalty looking a bit stupid, to be frank.

But Hornets began their best spell of them game. First Watson working an exchange of passes with Smith to send Owen scooting in. Then Damian Ball moving the ball quickly wide for james Bunyan to run straight through the posing, glove-wearing and hapless Dale Cardoza to score. Watson converted - 22-all and Hornets turning the screw.

First, Cardoza found himself on the end of a very big hit from Dave Larder and, minutes later, Marlon Billy chased down a long kick to flat-pack Neil Turley into a crumpled heap. Super defence that drew appreciation from the crowd.

With ten minutes remaining, it was Mr Morris' turn to step into the spotlight. Casey Mayberry took thge ball straight from a scrum on Hornets 40 metre line. He was held up in the tackle and - as the Leigh defenders continued to propel him backwards - he off-loaded, but the referee claimed that he had demmed the tackle complete and gave Leigh the penalty from which Rowley scored his second try.

Hornets were visibly stunned, but took the game back to Leigh. with half a dozen Centurions squabbling round the play the ball, Hornets shipped play right where Mick Nanyn dived in low to score, closing the gap to two points.

With a minute left, Leigh threw everything forward and Sanderson took a pass from Bristow to score.

With less than a minute remaining, Casey mayberry took the ball first man from the back of a scrum and blasted past seven Leigh defenders to post the try of the day. Watson's conversion co-incxided with the hooter and Hornets had fallen just short at 32-34.

But if the primary exercise of the day was to retore pride at the club, Hornets delivered in spades. Cheered from the field in defeat, they had come within a hair's breadth of beating what's supposed to be one of the serious contenders for National league glory this season - and we gifted the buggers two tries!

Hally will be pleased with the application showed by his players. They proved that they have the ability to compete - and even beat - the best our comp. has to offer. They showed guts and no little skill and will be kicking themselves that they let this one slip.