Explained: Why Leigh Leopards’ match winning try wasn’t disallowed

Leigh Leopards have wrestled control away from St Helens in the Challenge Cup semi-final at Warrington Wolves’ Halliwell Jones Stadium.

The Leopards have managed to get their hands on the ball in the second half winning two crucial penalties at the start of the second half.

They scored a vital try to level matters on the back of the first with Oliver Holmes hitting a great line on the back of a probing run inside.

Then, after a Jack Welsby error, Leigh pounced with a grubber kick from Lachlan Lam behind the Saints defence being grounded by Zak Hardaker with inches to spare.

There was a suspicion of potentially a push from Tom Briscoe on Tee Ritson as the two chased the kick.

We have seen these penalised in the past – just as Tom Briscoe himself in the 2017 Grand Final for Leeds Rhinos against Castleford Tigers – however this one was regarded as a “genuine contest” by the official which seems like the fair and logical call.

It would prove crucial as Leigh claimed a narrow win over the Saints.

It has been a basic contest but in the best possible way. The two teams are in a real battle royal as Saints pack dominate and roll the Leopards down field magnificently but Leigh hang in defensively exceptionally.

They did concede a relatively soft try to departing St Helens star Joey Lussick who burrowed over from close range for the opening try.

He has been excellent nailing a 40/20 from inside his own 20 metres and reaching the Leigh 10 metres with one of the best kicks you will see.

Leigh have produced some outstanding defensive efforts such as when Edwin Ipape intercepted an Agnatius Paasi offload and when Josh Charnley forced the ball out of Tommy Makinson’s arms as he dived in at the corner.

That was bettered by Zak Hardaker’s late try saver on Jonny Lomax.

Lomax did score eventually but it would be crucially out wide with Tommy Makinson missing the attempt at goal.

With Reynolds kicking the goal earlier in the game after a Sione Mata’utia yellow card on the 60th minute.