Leigh Leopards’ signings star in Challenge Cup demolition as Adrian Lam sets goals

Leigh Leopards ran in 11 tries as they progressed to Round Four of the Challenge Cup with Adrian Lam naming the competition as one that is important for the club in 2025.

The Leopards racked up 60 points and kept opponents Workington Town to zero as they won 60-0 in a round of Challenge Cup matches that is expected to see plenty of large scores.

Super League teams have entered in Round Three and have been seeded away from home, barring four ground changes, and that saw Leigh head to Cumbria to face League One Workington.

Adrian Lam named a very strong side with seven players making their competitive debut as they romped to an easy win.

Post-match, Lam discussed his selection with LeopardsTV, saying, “It’s something that is really important to us. Obviously with the success that we had in 2023 and we feel that it’s a competition that we want to do well in this year.

“There are a lot of games in the first quarter the season so it was important that we name a strong team to come here and the players were quite good.”

Leigh Leopards’ signings star as they cruise to Round Four of the Challenge Cup

⏱️ 𝗙𝗨𝗟𝗟 𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘 at The Fibrus Community Stadium with a late conversion by Gareth O’Brien in the 79th minute brings the score to…

🦄 Town 0-60 Leopards 🐆 pic.twitter.com/8TogY6ujLD

— Leigh Leopards (@LeighLeopardsRL) February 7, 2025

His players were quick off the mark with speedster David Armstrong scoring minutes in as he gave Leigh fans a glimpse of what is to come in a Leopards’ shirt this season.

Former Dolphins centre and fellow overseas recruit Tesi Niu got on the scoresheet five minutes later with half-back Gareth O’Brien adding the third after just 15 minutes.

Despite more line breaks from Armstrong, Workington held strong throughout the first half as they conceded just one more before half time with that score coming through Bailey Hodgson on the left wing to make it 22-0 after 40 minutes.

Tired legs and the superior fitness of the Super League outfit cost the Cumbrian side in the second 40 as Leigh began to put on a show starting with new Leopards signing Andrew Badrock who scored on the 50-minute mark.

That opened the floodgates as Keanan Brand, Jack Hughes and Frankie Halton all scored in a short period of time. Mid-season signing from 2024, Aaron Pene, got in on the action when he forced his way over on the 70-minute mark but there was still time for a second from Niu and a very late one from Brad Dwyer.

Leigh Leopards also allowed Town to have their half of the gate receipt in a classy move from club owner Derek Beaumont, particularly given how many Leythers had travelled to form a 3,000-strong crowd at the Fibrus Comunity Stadium.