Leigh Leopards saw their impressive run of form halted by Hull KR who beat them 24-0 at the Leigh Sports Village in a brilliant bounce-back performance to leave the Leopards’ play-off hopes in the balance.
The loss for Leigh means that they will have to win to secure their top six spot, although they could still sneak in if other results go their way in the remaining nine games of Super League.
Losing to Hull KR meant that Leigh’s impressive winning streak was cut short at five games but crucually, they are still in charge of their own fate but face the difficult task of taking on St Helens next week.
Hull KR ran in four tries, two of which came through Mikey Lewis who put in yet another Man of the Match performance as he kicked Leigh to death whilst also negating a positiin switch after Niall Evalds’ failed HIA.
A disgruntled Adrian Lam spoke on Sky Sports after the game to give his thoughts and when asked if Hull KR were simply too good, the Leigh Leopards coach responded bluntly: “Absolutely, just too good.”
Loss could be good for Leigh Leopards
Credit: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
Despite losing six of their first seven in Super League this season, Leigh have not been used to it recently with just one defeat in nine before the Robins came marching along.
Part of that has been the returning number of stars from injury but also a collective effort and that was something that lacked according to Adrian Lam, who expressed his frustration.
He explained: “I thought we were there to play. What we had decided to do as a team, I didn’t see that tonight so I’m frustrated with that.
“At half time being 10-0 down from two kicks is something that you can’t do much about that. I was just frustrated that we stopped moving in those moments which were big at the time.
“They had those big plays leading up to half time and once they get in front they’re difficult to pin back.”
Those two first-half tries were both created by the boot of Mikey Lewis, the aerial prescence of Tyrone May and a strong kick chase from the Robins who were there to tidy up the scraps.
It will be a lesson learned for Leigh and Lam has chosen to look at it in that positive way, claiming that the defeat “might be good” for the Leopards.
“It’s in our hands. This might be good for us. We’ll look at it that way as a positive but we’ll need a response obviously against one of the great teams in the modern era. There’s nothing better than being home next Friday with a win to make the top six.”
