Jon Wilkin claims Challenge Cup Finalist has been saved from suspension by teammates

As Leigh Leopards and Hull KR look ahead to the Challenge Cup Final they headed over to Leeds Rhinos and Wigan Warriors in their final games ahead of the Wembley showpiece next week.

In these games both clubs took very different approaches which yielded very different results. Leigh claimed a vital win over Leeds as they chase a top two finish downing the Rhinos at Headingley 13-6 in front of nearly thirteen thousand fans.

Hull KR meanwhile were comfortably beaten by Wigan. This is because they rested almost all their star players in the game.

Leigh meanwhile played the likes of Lachlan Lam, John Asiata and Edwin Ipape and only rested Zak Hardaker and Josh Charnley and were even able to bring in star signing Oliver Gildart to replace Hardaker.

But by playing key men they created an anxiety and Matt Davis might be thanking his teammates for bailing him out after a tip tackle.

“Ooooo, Luke Hooley is almost tipped up. It’s enough for Marcus Griffiths to penalise Leigh. It’s Matt Davis involved protesting his innocence,” Bill Arthur said on Sky Sports as Luke Hooley was lifted into a dangerous position.

This came as Jon Wilkin claimed Edwin Ipape and Joe Wardle saved the situation: “I think Edwin Ipape and (Joe) Wardle deserve a lot of credit for making the tackle safe. It was looking like it was going to be dangerous, Matt Davis was the one driving that lifting up the legs and his two teammates have saved him here from a card or a sending off and a suspension.”

Phil Clarke would then add: “And more importantly for a possible injury for the player and that is the most important thing.”

This came before Wilkin paid credit to the hooker and back row: “Absolutely, credit Ipape and Wardle for salvaging that different situation.”

Finally, Bill Arthur added: “Well that’s exactly what got Kai O’Donnell that six game ban for that tackle in the cup tie against York and that did go wrong.”

That said, Davis might not be out of the woods yet. He was also in trouble over a shoulder charge on Aidan Sezer.