Adrian Lam seemingly furious at key decision

As Hull KR and Leigh Leopards battled for a semi-final spot alongside Wigan Warriors and Catalans Dragons, there were a few controversial moments on a difficult game for Jack Smith to manage but he did a great job as he auditioned for the Grand Final.

He had one big call to make when Ryan Hall crossed for the second try of the game to make it 14-2 before the break.

The try was referred to the video referee and Chris Kendall didn’t find sufficient evidence to overturn the decision despite some angles suggesting Joe Mellor had his hand under the ball.

After this a Sky Sports camera lingered on coach Adrian Lam who certainly didn’t seem happy.

This was always going to be a great game as a rematch of the first Challenge Cup Final without Leeds Rhinos, Wigan Warriors, Warrington Wolves and St Helens since 1986.

Hull KR had secured home advantage in the game last week but, despite trying to speed the game up, had to battle through a number of errors.

They conceded the opening points after a strange penalty against Matt Parcell. He was in front of the play the ball but got involved in the play and was subsequently offside.

He was penalised and Ben Reynolds nailed the penalty to give the Leopards the advantage early on.

They had a few chances to build pressure especially after a huge hit by Lachlan Lam which saw the ball knocked free but on the next set the Leopards squandered the opportunity with James Batchelor mopping up a kick.

Hull KR slowly but surely battled back into the game ironically by speeding the game up around the ruck and on the back of inroads created by dummy half runs, Elliot Minchella won a penalty due to a high tackle from Joe Wardle.

This time Brad Schneider nailed a penalty to make it 2-2. He looked destined to score the opener after some great interplay between Jack Walker and Matt Parcell – two Grand Final winners in 2017 with Leeds Rhinos – saw them carve open the Leopards with a series of offloads.

But the last pass to Schneider was deemed forward denting an attacking opportunity that most days would be described as a certain try but Ed Chamberlain came across to tackle him after the whistle was blown.

However, Hull KR would eventually get the opening try with a nice set play putting James Batchelor through a gap before an offload to Jack Walker to score.

Then another former Leeds star pounced on a brilliant one on one strip by Matt Parcell. On the next play Ryan Hall powered over despite the efforts of Joe Mellor.

A try just before the break, they got one just after the break after an error from Gareth O’Brien with Sam Luckley getting over for a relatively easy try with a disguised run.

Leigh then had a try disallowed for obstruction around the ruck but did get themselves back in the game when Josh Charnley scored in the corner after a sweeping move.

But Hull KR secured their semi-final spot with a penalty.