Sione Mata’utia has been shown a yellow card for a late hit on Ben Reynolds in the second half of the Challenge Cup semi-final between St Helens and Leigh Leopards.
The Saints have been doubly punished with Ben Reynolds dusting himself down and nailing a penalty to make it 12-6.
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.
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.
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