Not exactly a Challenge Cup Final hangover from Leigh Leopards, but as they battle with Wigan Warriors and St Helens for a spot in the top two, they were second best against League Leaders Catalans Dragons.
Highlights:
Yellow card leads to first points
A late hit from Mike McMeeken and a yellow card saw Leigh nail an early penalty to make it 2-0.
Tomkins blunder and first try
Then, after a Sam Tomkins blunder, an inside ball from John Asiata allowed Tom Amone to tear through and score. He rounded the cover defence for a great try.
Pearce probes
Catalans Dragons definitely needed to score next and they came up with a response after Zak Hardaker gave away a penalty. Mitchell Pearce stabbed a kick behind and touched down himself to score.
Catalans take the lead
The Dragons were now on top and stormed 12-8 ahead with a try from Paul Seguier. A great set play from the Dragons with attacking players doubling up on defenders allowing Seguier to carve through.
Another yellow another try
But then another yellow card for Catalans, this time to Michael McIlorum, paved the way for Leigh to score with Ben Nakubuwai burrowing over from the penalty allowing Ben Reynolds to nail a penalty and make it 14-12.
Disallowed try
Then a mess at the back nearly led to a try for Wigan Warriors bound Adam Keighran after a ball bounced off a defender but he was unable to ground the loose ball.
May kicks behind
But shortly after Catalans took the lead again when Hull KR bound Tyrone May kicked behind for Tom Davies to score.
May Day
May was in the mood in the second half as he dummied, bounced off Ben Reynolds and carved inside wrong footing Ben Nakubuwai who was missing his boot.
Another grubber another try
Catalans were well and truly on top and another grubber kick led to another try as Manu Ma’u scored.
Talking Points:
Late hits
Catalans gave away three penalties in the first half for late hits from Catalans. This is something they will need to address.
Leigh can compete
Leigh showed, even though they lost some energy in the second half, that they can compete with the top team.
Charnley blow
Things didn’t go the way of Leigh including a worrying injury for Leigh.
Player Ratings:
Leigh
17 Gareth O’Brien – 6
2 Tom Briscoe – 7
1 Zak Hardaker – 7
31 Oliver Gildart – 6
5 Josh Charnley – 6
15 Ben Reynolds – 6
7 Lachlan Lam – 7
8 Tom Amone – 8
6 Joe Mellor – 7
10 Rob Mulhern – 8
12 Jack Hughes – 6
24 Kai O’Donnell – 6
11 Joe Wardle – 6
Substitutes
9 Edwin Ipape – 7
13 John Asiata – 8
14 Ben Nakubuwai – 6
18 Matt Davis – 6
Catalans
29 Sam Tomkins – 7
2 Tom Davies – 8
19 Arthur Romano – 7
3 Adam Keighran – 8
24 Tom Johnstone – 7
6 Tyrone May – 9
7 Mitchell Pearce – 9
8 Mike McMeeken – 7
9 Michael McIlorum – 7
16 Romain Navarrete – 7
11 Matt Whitley – 7
12 Paul Seguier – 8
13 Benjamin Garcia – 7
Substitutes
1 Arthur Mourgue – 7
15 Mickael Goudemand – 7
10 Julian Bousquet – 7
26 Manu Ma’u -8
