Delighted Leigh boss Kurt Haggerty “always knew” first win would come

Correspondent

Derek Beaumont owner of Leigh congratulates Adam Sidlow at the end of the game after seeing his team win for the first time this season

Interim coach Kurt Haggerty was always optimistic Leigh would not go through an entire Super League campaign without winning a game.

And at the 17th time of asking, Centurions finally backed up his belief courtesy of a 32-22 triumph over lacklustre neighbours Salford at Leigh Sports Village.

“I always thought we would get a first win,” said Haggerty as 12 points in a three-minute spell late on sealed the club’s long-overdue success.

“I didn’t know where it was going to come or at what point. But I knew we would win a game.

“So, I am happy and really pleased for the lads. They have worked really hard through all the adversity.

“In the second half we have been known for falling away from games but we have been getting better and better.

“In the first half there was a chance we could have got a few more points on the board. But to come in at half-time being in the lead was a good feeling for the lads.

“I believe in the players and believe in everything we have been doing. The hard work was rewarded today.

“We put together a near 80-minute performance and came away with a relatively-comfortable win.”

REPORT: Liam Hood and Adam Sidlow bag late tries as Leigh celebrate first win of season

Leigh captain Liam Hood and former Red Devils prop Adam Sidlow scored decisive late tries, while Craig Mullen added both conversions to finish with 16 points from eight successful kicks, five of them penalties.

Non-playing squad member Tom Spencer led the victory song with Haggerty admitting: “He was the only one who knows the words because we haven’t won for that long.

“The new boys don’t even know what it sounds like.”

Leigh remain bottom of the table and are still odds on favourite for relegation.

“We just go forward to the next game and will try to win again,” added Haggerty, whose side face champions St Helens on Thursday.