LEIGH LEOPARDS 48 ST HELENS 10
DAVE PARKINSON, Progress With Unity Stadium, Friday

LEIGH both sealed their play-off spot and ended St Helens’ hopes with an eight-try victory and a brilliant performance from Adam Cook.

It’s the final nail in the coffin of a dire Saints season, confirming that for the first time a Super League play-off series will take place without them.

For the Leopards, who have now made the cut four years running, a shoot-out with Wakefield next Friday for the last top-four spot and home eliminator awaits.

Before Leigh dominated the second half, a thrilling first period went back and forth, starting with a special moment for Josh Charnley.

The first try of the game came when Cook kick was recycled by Umyla Hanley, Joe Ofahengaue and Owen Trout before a basketball pass from Cook sent the winger over in the corner.

With dramatic flair, he then produced and signed a clipboard marked ‘new contract’, confirming he’ll be staying at the club next season.

Leigh surged down the ground once more from their next set, Innes Senior getting clear on the left before feeding David Armstrong to the line.

Cook’s conversions – the first two of a perfect eight – made it 12-0 after 14 minutes, but then back came at St Helens.

An error from Armstrong handed Saints possession on the Leigh 20. Jonny Lomax and Tristan Sailor combined from the scrum and Jacob Douglas went in at the corner.

Sailor couldn’t convert, although he did so after a try of his own from a classy break by Harry Robertson from inside his own half, narrowing the gap to two points.

However, a lightning break came from Senior put Leigh in a great position and Hanley strode through despite some protests from the Saints end, who felt Matty Evans had been obstructed.

Robertson did well to hold Keanan Brand up over the goalline, then a vital touch by Douglas kept the Leopards at bay.

It proved only brief respite as Edwin Ipape ran at full pelt and offloaded back for Cook to kick on and win the race to a try under the posts.

Cook then watched the clock tick down before converting to secure a 24-10 half-time advantage.

Jack Welsby split the hosts’ line early in the second half and some excellent defence from Armstrong was required to deny Shane Wright before a pass sailed over the head of Douglas.

But St Helens were up against it once Mark Percival was sin-binned for a high tackle on Armstrong.

Leigh fired a couple of shots with Senior being tackled in touch by some committed cover. The Leopards eventually got to the line after 57 minutes when Ipape took the direct route from dummy-half.

Hanley then used a combination of footwork and strength to beat three defenders for his second try.

With ten minutes remaining, Leigh took their score past 40 when Cook spotted a gap and cleverly put Jacob Alick-Wiencke over for their seventh try.

And the Leopards put the seal on it at the very end as fittingly Cook sent Robbie Mulhern over the line and added his eighth goal to wrap up a 48-10 success.

GAMESTAR: It was another composed and classy halfback performance from Adam Cook, who had Leigh ticking throughout and added 20 points of his own.

GAMEBREAKER: There was no way back for Saints after Leigh established a 30-10 lead with their first try of the second half.

HIGHLIGHT REEL: Josh Charnley signing a contract in the corner after his try in the first half.

ALBERT GOLDTHORPE POINTS
3 pts Adam Cook (Leigh)
2 pts Edwin Ipape (Leigh)
1 pt Harry Robertson (St Helens)

MATCHFACTS

LEOPARDS
1 David Armstrong
19 Innes Senior
2 Keanan Brand
4 Umyla Hanley
5 Josh Charnley
6 Adam Cook
7 Lachlan Lam
8 Joe Ofahengaue
17 Liam Horne
10 Robbie Mulhern
15 Jacob Alick-Wiencke
12 Owen Trout
13 Isaac Liu
Subs (all used)
9 Edwin Ipape
16 Matt Davis
23 Andy Badrock
25 Louis Brogan
18th man (not used)
21 Gareth O’Brien
Also in 21-man squad
22 Jack Hughes
26 Nathan Wilde
32 Jack Ashworth

Tries: Charnley (11), Armstrong (13), Hanley (29, 62), Cook (39), Ipape (57), Alick-Wiencke (70), Mulhern (80)
Goals: Cook 8/8

SAINTS
6 Tristan Sailor
26 Jacob Douglas
4 Mark Percival
1 Jack Welsby
5 Deon Cross
3 Harry Robertson
7 Jonny Lomax
13 David Klemmer
30 Tom Humphreys
14 Jacob Host
37 Billy Keeley
12 Shane Wright
22 Joe Shorrocks
Subs (all used)
34 Cole Marsh
38 Matty Evans
39 Chris Matagi
43 Oscar Knox (D)
18th man (not used)
41 Jack Campbell
Also in 21 Man Squad
– Tyler McGann
– Alfie Tate
– Luca Walsh

Tries: Douglas (18), Sailor (26)
Goals: Sailor 1/2
Sin bin: Percival (50) – high tackle

SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 12-0, 12-4, 12-10, 18-10, 24-10; 30-10, 36-10, 42-10, 48-10

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Leopards: Adam Cook; Saints: Harry Robertson

Penalty count: 8-2
Half-time: 24-10
Referee: Chris Kendall
Attendance: 9,589