Leigh Leopards delivered the most spectacular pre-match entertainment in Super League history - only for Salford to ruin the party.
Man of Steel Brodie Croft turned on the style to deny the promoted club a winning return to the elite and Ryan Brieley also shone against his former club. But it was harsh on Leigh who have been relegated in each of three times they’ve managed to get into Super League. They did enough here to suggest it won’t happen a fourth time - and put on a brilliant show on and off the field.
Leigh had been widely mocked for its shoddy attempt at a rebrand in October when ditching the Centurions name. New moniker Leopards was chosen on the whim of enigmatic owner Derek Beaumont. And it all looked cheap and cheesy while fans were furious the new-look kit wasn’t even red and white.
