Leigh Leopards claimed yet another win on Thursday night as they beat St Helens 16-4 to move to within a point of Super League’s top two.
Here’s our talking points.
Tough as teak Leigh
This Leigh side are a real threat. In their last three games they’ve not only beaten but outplayed Wigan Warriors, Hull KR and St Helens and there doesn’t seem to much stopping them. The clash with Saints was arguably the toughest of those three, with Paul Wellens’ side remaining stubborn in defence throughout.
Leigh won the battle through the middle, though, and never failed to take the opportunity to assert their physical prowess with Owen Trout, Edwin Ipape and Tesi Niu among those to deliver crunching tackles. And, in the effort areas such as kick pressures, Leigh really did themselves proud pinning Saints back with regularity.
Gareth O’Brien put Leigh into a 4-0 lead at the break with two penalty goals and the Leopards got the got the try they deserved after so much hard work when the stand-off spotted a gap in the Saints line and put Joe Ofahengaue through it.
Ofahengaue got his second late in the game, making the most of a Kyle Feldt mistake to touch down with three minutes to go.
There was no free-flowing rugby but Leigh demonstrated just how tough, gritty and resilient they are as they approach the business end of the season.
Saints blow
Mark Percival was notable by his absence when the teams were announced 90 minutes before kick off at the Totally Wicked Stadium. The centre made his first appearance after surgery on a bone spur issue last time out at Leeds Rhinos and was named in the 21-man squad for the game.
But, he was left out of the line up on Thursday night and that prompted a big shake up, with Matt Whitley moving into the backs and Matty Lees shifting across to second row. Taking Lees out of the middle meant Saints’ props had to do it tough against the Leopards, playing big minutes.
A message to Shaun Wane
He may have been on the losing side, but Alex Walmsley caught the eye once again with his efforts through the middle for the Saints. The forward was clattered into by Owen Trout early doors but he regularly made metres after contact and worked incredibly hard with Saints being short of middles.
The veteran forward was surprisingly omitted from Shaun Wane’s England squad earlier this month, but he must be one considered by the national team boss come the autumn.
Trout has been called up but on current form, Umyla Hanley surely has to be in the mix, too.
Three horse race
Leigh have blown the race for the League Leaders’ Shield wide open in their last three games. The Leopards remain third following their win over St Helens, but they are now just a point behind Wigan Warriors and three behind leaders Hull KR.
On current form, the Leopards can gate-crash that top two and if they can continue to play with such resilience and confidence, would it be a surprise if Leigh were walking out at Old Trafford come October?
For the first time since 1982, @LeighLeopardsRL have triumphed in St Helens, against @Saints1890! 🐆#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/dU0pITndMn
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) July 17, 2025
