Zak Hardaker calls out pundits who tipped Leigh Leopards for relegation

After one of the best semi-finals you will ever see in the Challenge Cup at Warrington Wolves’ Halliwell Jones Stadium, Leigh Leopards defeated St Helens 12-10 in an amazing game.

It is an amazing story for the Leopards who will now face the winner of Wigan Warriors and Hull KR who meet at Leeds Rhinos’ Headingley Stadium tomorrow.

It will have to go some way to top today’s game which was a truly special affair between two top teams.

For Leigh to not only match but beat the Super League and World Champions St Helens in a big game shows how far they have come and Zak Hardaker underlined that on BBC Sport after the game.

“I’m not sure. Dreams are there to be reached. We always knew that with this group that we could do something special,” he said.

“The Challenge Cup is all about who is better on the day and I thought we competed there.

“I am a bit emotional after that win, what it means to everyone at the club, the fans and Derek and all he has put into the club.”

He then called out those who tipped them to be in a relegation battle: “There was a lot of talk about us being in a relegation battle, that sort of spurred us on because from pre-season we knew what we could do.”

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. That gave the Leopards a vital 12-6 lead and that two points would win the game for the Leoaprds.

Jonny Lomax crossed for a late try in the 78th minute but was in the corner and Tommy Makinson would then miss the shot at goal and the game would end 12-10.

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.