Leigh's latest bid to claim a Super League place began in defeat as they were edged out 24-22 in a thrilling Kingstone Press Championship opener at Batley.
The Centurions' impressive build-up to the season was shattered by last week's departure of coach Paul Rowley and problems continued as they surrendered a 22-12 lead in Neil Jukes' first match in charge.
Tries from Chris Ulugia - his second of the game - and Shaun Ainscough brought the Bulldogs back level before a Pat Walker penalty snatched it late on.
James Brown also crossed for Batley with Leigh's tries coming from Andrew Dixon, Tom Armstrong, Micky Higham and Ryan Brierley.
Omari Caro scored a hat-trick of tries as Bradford opened with a 22-12 win over Featherstone at the Provident Stadium.
Lee Gaskell also touched down for the Bulls with Danny Addy landing three goals.
Rovers got on the scoresheet with tries from Danny Craven and Anthony Thackeray.
Former St Helens three-quarter Steve Tyrer scored 32 points as Halifax ran out convincing 52-6 winners over Whitehaven.
Tyrer ran in four tries and kicked eight goals while there were also touchdowns for Gareth Moore, Sam Smeaton, Ben Kaye, Will Sharp and James Saltonstall in a dominant display.
Whitehaven's solitary try came from Elliott Miller.
Promoted Oldham saw their campaign get off to a dismal start as they were beaten 22-0 by London Broncos at the Whitebank Stadium.
The Roughyeds trailed only to an Andy Ackers try at the interval but the Broncos powered away in the second half.
Jack Bussey, Iliess Macani and Ben Hellewell all touched down with Wes Naiqama kicking three goals.
The other promoted side, Swinton, fell to an agonising 26-24 defeat at the hands of Dewsbury at Salford's AJ Bell Stadium.
Josh Guzdek snatched victory for the Rams as he completed his hat-trick six minutes from time.
Ben Reynolds and Paul Sykes also scored for Dewsbury while Greg Wilde and Rob Lever claimed two each for the Lions.
Sheffield Eagles began the season impressively with a 42-12 win at Workington.
Matty Fozard touched down twice while there were also scores for Rob Worrincy, Keal Carlile, Adam Neal, Menzie Yere and Cory Aston.
Workington's tries came from Jamie Doran and Jack Murphy.
Source: PA-WIRE
