Leigh Leopards are going to Wembley after heroics from Zak Hardaker, Lachlan Lam, Edwin Ipape and John Asiata. Let that sink in for a moment, Leigh Leopards will be playing in a Challenge Cup Final after they defeated the Super League and World Champions St Helens at Warrington Wolves’ Halliwell Jones Stadium.
They will now face the winner of Wigan Warriors vs Hull KR at Leeds Rhinos’ Headingley Stadium tomorrow.
It was a truly amazing game between two great sides and an amazing moment for a side who were playing in the Championship just one year ago.
It has been 50 years since the Leopards played at Wembley and now their fans can start to dream of replicating their win over Leeds in the 1970s.
So it was no surprise to see them rush onto the pitch at full time and take pictures with the players and just hold them.
It was quite moving to see the emotion on their faces as they thanked players for fulfilling their Wembley dream.
Of course, pitch invasions cannot be condoned but it shows just how special 2023 is for the Leopards.
The Leopards trailed 6-0 at the break after a difficult first half but raised the tempo at the start of the second half with some great speed and winning two vital penalties.
On the back of the first penalty they made it 6-6 after Oliver Holmes hit a great line to carve through for the Leopards and cross.
Leigh would then punish a Jack Welsby mistake and score another try through Zak Hardaker. The former Leeds Rhinos and Wigan Warriors star grounded the ball in the corner after a great chase from Tom Briscoe and Tee Ritson.
Reynolds missed the shot at goal that time but would get another chance after Mata’utia’s late hit on the halfback.
It was seen as being late and having a lot of force by the official. That gave the Leopards a vital 12-6 lead and that two points would win the game for the Leoaprds.
Jonny Lomax crossed for a late try in the 78th minute but was in the corner and Tommy Makinson would then miss the shot at goal and the game would end 12-10.
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.
It is certainly a fascinating semi-final and one of the best in recent memory.
