Leigh are starting to crack, says rival coach

Sheffield coach Mark Aston says Championship leaders Leigh are starting to crack.

The Centurions racked up their 23rd consecutive win at the weekend, defeating Dewsbury 32-28, and sit top of the Championship, having also knocked Super League side Salford out of the Challenge Cup.

They did have to hold off a fightback from the Rams though, who had trailed 22-6.

Aston was speaking after watching his side lose 46-12 to Bradford, who he has backed to earn promotion this season.

He said: “I think Bradford played the best they have all season.

“Having seen that it would certainly be very close between Bradford and Leigh, because Leigh are starting to crack.

“Bradford are going this way and Leigh another. At the moment, Leigh are probably a tad in front of them.

“But, by the end of the season, who will get promoted? I think you would probably put your house on it being Bradford.

“It is interesting because Bradford are hitting form at the right time.

“Lee Gaskell is the best half-back in the competition, without a shadow of a doubt.

“It is credit (to Bradford) that he is still here and that they have kept him.

“There are some great players here and some good young kids. It is only a matter of time before it all clicks.”

Sheffield currently sit third in the Championship table, and Sunday’s defeat to Bradford was only their third league defeat of the season.

The top four Championship clubs will break away to play against the bottom four Super League clubs after 23 games this season.

Leigh, Bradford and Featherstone currently occupy the other three places.