LIVERPOOL St Helens produced an excellent second half performance to dispose of Leigh 35-20 and progress through to the semi-final stage of the Lancashire Trophy Competition.

Although a thorough team performance, the game will be long remembered at Moss Lane for the astonishing achievement of skipper Phil Kearns in scoring a hat-trick of tries in four consecutive games, just one week on from celebrating a hat-trick of hat-tricks against Hoylake.

A hat-trick of anything is a feat worthy of celebration but to score four hat-tricks of tries in four consecutive games is quite remarkable.

The number 8 has registered them in the last four weeks against Manchester Medics, West Park, Hoylake and now Leigh and everyone at Moss Lane congratulates Phil on his achievement.

His first try, from a catch and drive, came as a response to Leigh’s opening try and was converted by Dan Filson, who had a fine all round game at full back and a 100% day with the boot.

This was followed by a superb 60 yard effort from flying winger Jake Hodson, running in under the posts, converted to give LSH a 14-7 lead, short-lived as a sprightly Leigh outfit scored their second try just before the break to go into half time 14-17 in front.

Kearns put his team back in front after 46 minutes with a textbook try from a strong catch and drive, converted by Filson, and after Leigh had replied with a penalty, followed this up eight minutes later with his third of the day and his twelfth in four weeks with a well taken try from the base of a scrum close to the Leigh line.

Filson made no mistake with the extras.

The afternoon was rounded off with a try from hard working centre Matt Cunliffe after good work from prop Mark Fryer had driven the ball up the left flank.

Cunliffe scythed through a gap and sprinted over to score on a day the skipper will always remember.

This week LSH travel to Glossop. Kick off 2.15.