Father and son team Adrian and Lachlan Lam helped Leigh secure their place in Super League - and that’s where they now intend to stay.
Just hours after Ivan and Nathan Cleary helped Penrith pulverise Parramatta in the NRL Grand Final win, Leigh’s own dad and lad duo replicated the feat.
Yes, this Championship finale might not have been as grandiose as the big decider back in Oz.
But it meant just as much to head coach Lam - let go by Wigan last year - and Papua New Guinea star Lachlan who pulled the strings from half-back against Batley to seal promotion.
Legendary former Queensland scrum-half Lam said: “I’m over the moon. There’s a little bit of relief as there’s always risk when you take a step back in your profession.
“But also with risk comes opportunity. If you can wind back to December last year and be in this position now, it’s worked out perfectly.
“I’m really proud of all the players and the town which has had some difficult times in the last couple of years.
“We’ll need these great fans again next year as we’re going up now. It’s been said all year but I can finally say it now - we’re in Super League! And we’re there to do more than stay up.”
Leigh have been immediately relegated in each of their previous Super League seasons - 2005, 2017 and 2021 - but have never been as well-prepped as now.
Lam has already assembled a strong squad stacked with NRL and Super League talent.
Some bookmakers had part-timers Batley at 10-1 to win which seemed ludicrous in a two-horse race. But big-spending full-time Centurions had won 26 of their 27 regular games and often by some distance.
In fairness, Batley started strongly, sensing some nerves in the home ranks when Ed Chamberlain spilled the kick-off.
But they messed up themselves when Dale Morton dropped Luke Hooley’s needless pass for Lam to lap up the 15th minute gift, scampering over.
Krisnan Inu slotted the first of his six goals. Lam’s classy delayed pass then got Joe Wardle through a gap for Inu to finish.
And soon after ex-Sydney Roosters star Lam attacked the Batley line again before ushering Wardle over as Inu made it 18-0 at the break.
Full-back Caleb Aekins dashed in from 50m just seconds into the second period.
And Leigh broke clear in the next set for Joe Mellor to add another on his 250th career appearance before Nene Macdonald got in on the act.
Morton’s try made sure Batley didn’t go home pointless but Inu got his second and then Lam supplied another for Kai O’Donnell before Bulldogs prop Adam Gledhill’s consolation.
Batley boss Craig Lingard said: “I’m immensely proud of the lads. It was another great effort. Just a game too far.”
