THUNDER were first to score after a good spell of pressure put them close to the line and Johan Curzon forced his way over.

This was a wake-up call for the home team who came close a number of times before they scored a converted try to edge them in front.

With some keen defending it looked as if Thunder would be contained - that was until Jim Hilton took the ball at pace, broke through and won a race to the line. Jonathan Hayes added the extras and Thunder were back in the lead.

Leigh tried to get back into the game but struggled until a kick forward by Daniel Ireland was cleanly gathered by the Leigh centre who ran through for an excellent try.

With the scores level, half time beckoned but Hilton again smashed his way through to run virtually the length of the pitch to score his second.

James Parle calmly slotted over the goal and Thunder went in six points ahead.

The second half saw the introduction of debutant Lewis Starmer who showed great promise.

It also marked a more determined effort from Leigh who came out flying and soon equalised.

Thunder then lapsed into one-man rugby and never looked like scoring when up popped Johan Curzon running from fullback spinning off seven tacklers to score in the corner.

Leigh were rattled but to their credit they came straight back at Thunder scoring a converted try regaining the lead.

With the clock ticking down Thunder could sense the game slipping away and the heads dropped.

The home team sensing this went for the jugular and managed to score another try in the dying seconds.

Man of the match was Curzon; top tackler, Jay Gregson, and coach's award went to Hayes and Thunder awards went to Hilton and Stephen Reynolds.