GREGG McNally and James Bentley scored two tries apiece as Leigh racked up their highest score of the Betfred Championship season so far.

McNally’s double boosted his career tally to 150 tries and the full-back only needs another brace for a century in Centurions colours.

Victory lifted Leigh into the top five ahead of Sunday’s visit to face John Kear’s Bradford Bulls.

And with Jake Emmitt’s third spell at the club confirmed 48 hours earlier, this eight try win over lowly Hornets ended a good couple of days for head coach John Duffy and his squad.

Emmitt didn’t feature against Rochdale whose consolation try from Ryan Millington came just two minutes from the end.

“I was disappointed with their try at the end,” acknowledged head coach Duffy after Leigh’s fourth win in seven games.

“But it was a good result for us in the end and some good points on the board.

“When we execute properly, we look crisp and clean and finish off well.

“Gregg’s is a great achievement. Not many players will score that many tries in a career.”

Leigh welcomed back on loan prop Luke Douglas to the front row after the Aussie star missed the 30-12 win at Swinton.

Douglas’s St Helens’ team mates also showed up strongly with Bentley’s tries, Danny Richardson kicking seven goals and Aaron Smith proving his worth off the bench.

“Danny made a big contribution and looks like he is enjoying his rugby,” added Duffy.

“Luke was superb again and Sam Brooks, playing his 100th career game, was superb as well.

“There were some good performances but some poor ones as well.”

Leigh started strongly against Hornets whose previous game against York City Knights was postponed due to adverse weather conditions.

Centre Iain Thornley grabbed his first try for the club with Toby Adamson and Bentley also touching down in the first quarter.

Hornets cause wasn’t helped by losing much travelled hooker Scott Moore to the sin bin for a high tackle.

Jonny Pownall-the recipient of Moore’s challenge- and McNally crossed the visitors’ line before half time as Leigh led 30-0.

Centurions were less fluent in the second period and failed to score during the penultimate quarter.

But they sent the fans home happy with a final flourish as Bentley, Liam Hood-on second home debut-and McNally rounding off a comprehensive win.

Match stats:

Leigh: McNally; Pownall, Cox, I Thornley, Marsh; Ridyard, Richardson; Douglas, Hood, Brooks, T.Adamson, Bentley, Cator.

Substitutes: Smith, L. Adamson, T.Spencer, A Thornley.

Tries: I Thornley (8), T Adamson (13), Bentley (17, 67), Pownall (27), Hood (68), McNally (33, 75);

Goals: Richardson 7/ 8.

Rochdale Hornets: Whittaker; Ainscough, Case, Talatoka, Wood; Abram, Moore; Moran, Wood, Reidy, Mitchell, Weldon, Moores.

Substitutes: Carberry, Foster, Gregory, Millington.

Try: Millington (78);

Goal: Abram 1/1.

Referee: Marcus Griffiths

Attendance: 2,666

Half-time: 30-0.