Leigh Leopards pulled off the greatest win in their short history as the Leopards, but also one of the greatest wins in Super League history as they beat St Helens.
Not only did they beat St Helens, they beat the four time consecutive Grand Final winners, who have also just become world champions as well.
The Leopards won 20-12, scoring 20 unanswered points in the second-half and shocking not just Saints but all of Super League as well.
It was a second straight win for Leigh after they’d defeated Hull KR on the road in last gasp fashion, however this one will be a lot sweeter in front of their home fans.
St Helens showed their strength in the first half and took a 12-0 lead into half-time with tries from Jonny Lomax and Jon Bennison.
Leigh had their moments in that first half but the Red Vee repelled them and it looked like it would be a resumption of normal business for Saints following their heart-breaking 25-24 loss to Leeds Rhinos a week ago.
The second half started in similar fashion with Leigh threatening but Saints managing, that was until Josh Charnley crossed over for his fifth try of the season.
Zak Hardaker was unable to convert but it had got Leigh on the board and with that came another, this time on the other wing with Tom Briscoe.
Briscoe’s try came just a minute after Matty Lees had been sent to the sin bin for a swinging arm and it started what was sure to be a tense 10 minute period for Saints, with the Leigh crowd getting behind their side.
Zak Hardaker again missed the conversion meaning that the score wad 12-8 with 15 minutes to go, but that’s when Hardaker took matters into his own hands.
Ten metres out the ball got sent wide but Hardaker cut back in, spun off one defender and then crossed in under the sticks to ensure he couldn’t possibly miss the kick.
With the following conversion it meant the Leopards led the World Champions 14-12 with just eight minutes to go and it sent the crowd into raptures, leaving Saints players with their head in hands.
Hardaker for @LeighLeopardsRL 😍
The Leopards are on their way to victory over the World Club Champions 👀#SuperLeague #SLLeiStH pic.twitter.com/pkGUQkjvy0
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) March 10, 2023
Saints got their 13th man back but as quick as they returned to full strength Leigh delivered the finishing blow which saw Wigan loanee Joe Shorrocks cross over, and with Zak Hardaker’s conversion to make it 20-12 the game was out of sight.
There was no time for St Helens to respond leaving the Leopards with one of the most infamous wins in Suer League history, and they knew how to celebrate.
They shared amazing footage of head coach Adrian Lam leading the dressing room celebrations, and deservedly so given the fact that they were 3/1 outsiders.
Take it away, Adrian. 💪💪💪#Leythers pic.twitter.com/HjiSkCQ5Xk
— Leigh Leopards (@LeighLeopardsRL) March 10, 2023