Adrian Lam was overcome with emotion as he tried to sum up Leigh Leopards’ play-off victory over Salford Red Devils on Friday night.
The Leopards were forced to dig deep at the Salford Community Stadium as they battled a resilient and refreshed Red Devils outfit. However, second half tries from Josh Charnley, Gareth O’Brien and Edwin Ipape gave the visitors a 14-6 win and sent the club into the semi-finals of the Super League play-offs.
It means Leigh have now won 11 of their last 13 Super League games and as they prepare to travel to either Wigan Warriors or Hull KR next week, only the brave or foolish will be betting against them reaching a Grand Final at Old Trafford. Given the club won just one league game in their first seven and spent much of the campaign beneath the play-off picture, their turnaround in form and build up of momentum has been quite remarkable.
As such, as he took in the moment at the final whistle and tried to put it into words, Lam was visibly emotional.
“I’m just so proud,” he told Sky Sports after the result. “We got bombarded in that first 40 minutes and most of their players have had two weeks off so it was always going to be like that, but just the courage we showed tonight to keep turning up. They could only score from a kick when we were down to 12, I’m just pleased for the group.
“I’m just happy for the whole town. There’s some statistics there about making the last four that go way back. I think it’s only the fourth time we’ve been in the last four since its inception.
“The team are very connected as a group. I love them dearly and we’re losing a lot of them at the end of the year, they’re playing for each other and you can see that in the performances, but just the resilience tonight and the physicality of it. It was a big game with a great atmosphere, so great to be a part of.”
Asked about the secret behind his Leigh Leopards side’s form, Lam added: “You just have to stick to your processes and keep the group believing in each other.
“We had a lot of injuries and that was well documented but I think the power of the leadership has helped in keeping everyone grounded. Had we lost another game along the way then we wouldn’t be here tonight.
“I think they’re drawing on that a little bit which is good. We need to be emotionally connected in these big games. What a night!
“We finished higher than what we did last year now and we’re through this semi, as a club I think we’re heading in the right direction and that’s all I can ask. We’ll go to wherever we need to go to next week, whether it’s the neighbours or up the motorway, we’ll deal with that as it comes.
“I’m just going to enjoy the moment. I’ve been around rugby league for a long time and these moments don’t come around too often.”
