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Brierley was one of 10 former Leigh players who copped abuse throughout the first ever clash between the two sides.

But never in the home fans’ worst nightmares would they have imagined their former coach Paul Rowley masterminding such a crushing win.

Brierley, who kicked five goals and scored a try, said: “We knew it was going to be hostile and we expected it.

“I’m thankful it’s all done with because there was a big pantomime around it coming into the game. We just wanted to play and get out.”

Leigh, who received a £500,000 parachute payment after being relegated from Super League, raced into a 12-0 lead.

Tries from Harrison Hansen and Matty Dawson looked like making it a tough day for the Canadian side, who won promotion from League One last season.

But Brierley said his team always knew they would fight back, and said: “There was no panic and we stayed nice and controlled.

“We knew they are a formidable side with plenty of money and talent so it’s great to get the win.”

Rowley - who has had a running feud with Leigh owner Derek Beaumont since walking out in 2016 - avoided the post-match press conference.

Assistant coach Simon Finnigan said: “There was a lot of emotion coming into the game but there’s not a lot that gets to Paul.”

Toronto fought back thanks to a close-range try from Adam Sidlow and one from former Leigh star Liam Kay.

But they totally took control in the second half with three tries in 10 minutes knocking the stuffing out of the home side.

Cory Paterson - another former Leigh forward - raced 75m for an interception try with Kay and Brierley also adding touchdowns.

Leigh never looked like getting back into the game and Kay had the final say with his hat-trick try in the 80th minute.

Gutted Leigh boss Neil Jukes said: “I am massively disappointed in the way we let ourselves down. There has to be some accountability.”