Leigh Centurions will face Batley Bulldogs for a place in Betfred Super League after triumphing in their respective Championship play-off semi-finals on Sunday.
Table-toppers Leigh made comfortable progress with a 70-10 thrashing of York City Knights, before Batley, who had finished fifth, sprung an upset by winning 32-28 at second-placed Featherstone Rovers.
Batley led 20-6 at the break following tries from Jonny Campbell, Luke Hooley and James Meadows, plus two conversions and a penalty by Tom Gilmore.
The score moved to 26-18 after Josh Hardcastle scored a brace for Featherstone, with Craig Hall – who had got a try of his own in the first half – adding the extras, either side of Lucas Walshaw’s effort for Batley.
The away side then went 32-18 ahead with 22 minutes left after Dane Manning crossed, and while Featherstone battled back with tries from Connor Jones and Luke Briscoe, they could not save themselves from defeat.
Blake Ferguson notched a hat-trick in Leigh’s heavy victory, and there were braces from Nene Macdonald, Caleb Aekins and Edwin Ipape.
Sam Stone, Ed Chamberlain and Kai O’Donnell also registered tries and Krisnan Inu nailed 11 out of 12 conversions for the hosts, who led 40-0 at half-time.
York scored two of the last three tries at Leigh Sports Village, via Matty Marsh and Marcus Stock.
Leigh will now host Batley in the Betfred Championship Grand Final next Sunday.
The League One play-off final the same day will see Doncaster RLFC travel to Swinton Lions after the Dons defeated Rochdale Hornets 52-20 at the Eco-Power Stadium.
Robbie Storey and Jason Tali each scored two tries apiece for Doncaster, who were 12-4 up at the interval.
Sam Smeaton, Watson Boas, Leon Ruan, Travis Corion and Ben Johnston were the home side’s other try-scorers, while Connor Robinson kicked eight conversion attempts out of nine successfully.
