LEIGH Centurions have swooped for one of the most prolific young try-scorers in the country.

Alan Cross, a 21-year-old centre, has teamed up with the Centurions after years of frustration at St Helens.

Although Cross has had the occasional taste of Super League action with Saints, he has becomed disillusioned with life at Knowsley Road and has jumped at the chance to move to Hilton Park.

"It's quite a feather in our caps to have persuaded a player to leave Super League and drop down to our division," says Leigh coach Ian Millward.

"But that's a sign of how things are going in the game and a sign of the lad's ambition. Many local lads like Alan don't seem to get a sniff of regular first grade rugby in Super League because of the massive infux of overseas stars on big contracts.

"He's had his route blocked by the likes of Paul Newlove and Kevin Iro despite finishing top scorer in reserve grade for the past few seasons."

Cross, a product of the famous Pilkington Recs amateur club in St Helens, scored 23 tries in the Alliance last season but despite being at Knowsley Road since he was 16 has still only made a handful of first team appearances. He joins Leigh on a free transfer.

"He clearly sees that he had to move on to get regular first team rugby - he'll certainly get that with us," adds Millward. "I feel Alan will be an important signing for us; just one of four I would like to make before the season starts."

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