Leigh Leopards come from behind to defeat Huddersfield Giants

LEIGH LEOPARDS 24 HUDDERSFIELD GIANTS 10
DAVID KUZIO, Leigh Sports Village, Sunday

LEIGH came from behind to continue their unbeaten start with a hard-fought win in testing conditions.

Compared to their opener at Wigan, which was settled by golden-point after a 0-0 tie, this was a point-fest, with Keanan Brand grabbing the Leopards’ first try of the season.

Oliver Wilson claimed a rare try to help Huddersfield to an 8-6 lead at the break but their wait for a first win continues after Leigh scored three more tries in the second half through David Armstrong, Matt Davis and Tesi Niu.

Leigh were the better team in the opening stages and the first try came after Huddersfield’s Sam Hewitt knocked on deep in his own half. Lachlan Lam took on the line before floating a pass over the top which found Brand to dive over.

The visitors were finding it hard to get good field position, although Tom Burgess made a couple of half-breaks and, when a penalty kept the Giants on Leigh’s line, Leroy Cudjoe and Matty English both went close before Oliver Wilson beat the defence to touch down a neat kick from Zac Woolford.

George Flanagan converted on his Super League debut, in for Danny Richardson following his recall by Hull KR, and the Giants led 6-4.

Both teams were struggling to keep hold of the ball in the rain, and defences remained on top. A tip tackle on English by Edwin Ipape saw Huddersfield extend their lead as Flanagan slotted over the penalty.

O’Brien replied with a two-pointer of his own on the stroke of half-time after Leigh successfully used their Captain’s Challenge to win a penalty, making it 6-8.

And that became 6-10 early in the second half as Flanagan knocked over his third goal of the day in the form of another penalty.

Leigh hit back immediately as Armstrong showed why he is so highly rated. The fullback collected a short pass from Lam and outpaced the Giants defence to score and level the game at 10-10.

The home side were full of confidence and a massive defensive play saw them force a drop-out as Huddersfield were losing control of the game.

Leigh hit the front for the first time since the eighth minute as O’Brien slotted over a penalty after Lam was taken late by English as he kicked on the last. The penalty made it 12-10 with 28 minutes to go.

The Giants continued to defend well, but they were unable to create much in attack as they kept dropping the ball.

Leigh moved eight points clear with 14 minutes remaining when Jack Billington lost the ball. O’Brien collected and sent Matt Davis crashing over before adding the conversion.

And the game was put to bed with five minutes to go as Lam and Armstrong expertly combined down the left to send Niu over for his first Super League try, also converted by O’Brien.

GAMESTAR: David Armstrong will be a force this season. His pace and positional play is a joy to watch and he was rewarded with his first try for the club.

GAMEBREAKER: Matt Davis’ try from a Huddersfield error put Leigh in front by eight and the Giants never looked like coming back.

HIGHLIGHT REEL: The way David Armstrong followed Lachlan Lam on his shoulder to collect the ball and race over to score was special.

ALBERT GOLDTHORPE POINTS
3 pts David Armstrong (Leigh)
2 pts Lachlan Lam (Leigh)
1 pt George Flanagan (Huddersfield)

MATCHFACTS
LEOPARDS
1 David Armstrong
18 Keanan Brand
3 Tesi Niu
4 Umyla Hanley
24 Bailey Hodgson
6 Gareth O’Brien
7 Lachlan Lam
8 Owen Trout
17 Brad Dwyer
10 Robbie Mulhern
11 Frankie Halton
20 Ethan O’Neill
13 Isaac Liu
Subs (all used)
9 Edwin Ipape
12 Jack Hughes
15 Alec Tuitavake
16 Matt Davis
18th man (not used)
19 Louis Brogan
Also in 21-man squad
14 Aaron Pene
22 Ben McNamara
29 AJ Towse

Tries: Brand (8), Armstrong (45), Davis (67), Niu (75)
Goals: O’Brien 4/6

GIANTS
1 Jacob Gagai
2 Adam Swift
12 Sam Hewitt
3 Jake Bibby
20 Elliot Wallis
6 Tui Lolohea
29 George Flanagan
8 Oliver Wilson
9 Zac Woolford
10 Tom Burgess
11 Jack Murchie
17 Joe Greenwood
21 Leroy Cudjoe
Subs (all used)
14 Ashton Golding
15 Matty English
18 Fenton Rogers
25 Jack Billington
18th man (not used)
19 Thomas Deakin
Also in 21-man squad
24 Aidan McGowan
27 Connor Carr
30 Jack Bibby