Leigh Centurions v Batley Bulldogs: Qualifiers preview
Last Updated: 16/09/16 2:35pm
The Centurions are expecting a near-capacity 12,000 crowd at the Leigh Sports Village for their clash against Batley after owner Derek Beaumont decided to offer free admission to celebrate their promotion.
Captain Micky Higham was humbled by Beaumont's offer, which he says will give the players and supporters a feel for what's in store next season.
"Derek has produced a gesture which I think is beyond words," Higham said.
"Hopefully we'll get some new faces who will get a taste for it ahead of Super League.
"The crowds are getting bigger all the time and there's a great feel to the place right now. The future is boding well and this Saturday will be great."
Leigh will be aiming to maintain their 100 per cent record and set up a table-topping decider with the Rhinos next Thursday when they play their final home game against the Bulldogs.
Batley are the only team to have beaten Leigh in the league in 2016 and coach John Kear, this week named Championship coach of the year, insists they can claim another notable scalp before he leaves the club for Wakefield.
"We're going to try and spoil the party," Kear said. "We know Leigh are a great team and I'm sure they want to go 100 per cent through the Middle 8s.
"But we've improved as the Middle 8s have gone on, so will have to see if we are good enough on Saturday. We'll try our best."
Leigh Centurions: Mitch Brown, Travis Burns, Matty Dawson, Andrew Dixon, Brad Fash, Lewis Foster, Harrison Hansen, Adam Higson, Gareth Hock, Liam Hood, Sam Hopkins, Reni Maitua, Fuifui Moimoi, Cory Paterson, Ben Reynolds, Lee Smith, Tom Spencer, Willie Tonga, Dayne Weston.
Batley Bulldogs: Shaun Ainscough, Luke Blake, Dom Brambani, Alex Bretherton, Joe Chandler, James Davey, Brad Day, Adam Gledhill, James Harrison, Keegan Hirst, Alastair Leak, Tom Lillycrop, Wayne Reittie, Alex Rowe, Dave Scott, Sam Smeaton, Cane Southernwood, Chris Ulugia, Pat Walker.
