Leigh Leopards claimed their second Super League win of the season as they beat Huddersfield Giants 24-10 at Leigh Sports Village.
Here’s our verdict.
Action
Leigh Leopards failed to get over the line in their 1-0 win over Wigan Warriors, but it didn’t take them long to touch down against the Giants on Sunday afternoon, opening the scoring inside the opening nine minutes. Collecting a looping pass to the flank, Keanan Brand was the man that got it, finishing in the corner despite the challenge of Adam Swift.
Huddersfield hit back in the 23rd minute of the contest, though, as a delicate Zac Woolford grubber was touched down by Oliver Wilson.
George Flanagan, on his Super League debut, kicked a penalty to put Huddersfield in control but Gareth O’Brien pulled two points back just before the break. Flanagan slotted another penalty after the interval, but Leigh pulled themselves level in the 44th as David Armstrong got over for his first Super League try.
Using the dummy run of Ethan O’Neill to perfection, O’Brien put Armstrong through a hole in the line and he had the pace to round the scrambling Giants defence and dive over in the corner.
It was a low quality game for large periods, in truth, with both sides making mistakes and coughing up possession cheaply. But as the clash wore on, it was Leigh who managed to establish dominance, with much of the second half being played in Huddersfield’s half.
Matt Davis hammered that home as he made the most of a handling error from the Giants to touch down and that was before Tesi Niu got his first Super League try in Leigh colours, getting on the end of an Armstrong break.
Star man
David Armstrong. A try and an assist for the Australian on his home debut. He caused panic with his pace and produced a near flawless defensive display.
Good day for
Edwin Ipape. The hooker was the story on the day as Derek Beaumont announced his new six-year deal live on the BBC before kick-off. The deal ensures Ipape has committed his peak years to the Leopards with the North West outfit fighting off interest from the NRL.
Bad day for
Huddersfield Giants. The Giants were impressive against Warrington Wolves last week, but they were thoroughly underwhelming at Leigh Sports Village and they can have few complaints about the result.
Bigger picture
Leigh Leopards weren’t fancied by many at the start of the season but on the back of their performances at the start of the season, they must be considered contenders moving forward. Their off-season recruitment has been mightily impressive and they can host Catalans Dragons next week in extremely high spirits.
Huddersfield will struggle to find positives out of that one with their second half performance being way off the standard required. Early alarm bells will be ringing if they don’t beat Hull FC next weekend.
Teams
Leigh Leopards line-up: David Armstrong; Keanan Brand, Tesi Niu, Umyla Hanley, Bailey Hodgson; Gareth O’Brien, Lachlan Lam; Owen Trout, Brad Dwyer, Robbie Mulhern; Frankie Halton, Ethan O’Neill; Isaac Liu.
Bench: Alec Tuitavake, Matt Davis, Jack Hughes.Edwin Ipape
Huddersfield Giants line-up: Jacob Gagai; Adam Swift, Jake Bibby, Sam Hewitt, Elliot Wallis; Tui Lolohea, George Flanagan; Oliver Wilson, Zac Woolford, Tom Burgess; Jack Murchie, Joe Greenwood, Leroy Cudjoe.
Bench: Fenton Rogers, Matty English, Ashton Golding, Jack Billington.
