LEIGH LEOPARDS 24 WARRINGTON WOLVES 6
JOHN DAVIDSON, Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool, Saturday

LEIGH are gunning for Super League’s top six after a magical display against Warrington at Magic Weekend.

The Leopards secured their fifth victory from their past six games on the back of a dominant first-half display that had them 14-0 ahead.

Tries to Edwin Ipape and Umyla Hanley in the second half ensured their win and puts pressure on St Helens, Wakefield, Wigan and Hull KR above them.

For Warrington, without many key players due to injury, it was only their fourth loss of the season but a blow to their chances of winning the League Leaders’ Shield, while they are now only four points ahead of Leigh themselves.

An early error from Ewan Irwin near his own try-line presented a great chance and the Leopards made them pay on the next set with Tesi Niu stepping inside and forcing his way over. Adam Cook added the extras to make it 6-0.

A dropped ball from Josh Smith next ensured even more pressure on Warrington’s try-line. Leigh forced a drop-out and Marc Sneyd hacked the kick straight into touch, giving Cook an easy penalty from right in front.

It was a poor start from the Wolves, who made mistake after mistake.

The Leopards weren’t mucking around, and David Armstrong turned on the afterburners after grabbing an offload from Hanley and then racing away 60 metres to score a brilliant try.

Cook ran over the clock taking his conversion, meaning the score remained at 12-0.

But Warrington remained on the backfoot, Leigh keeping them pinned on their try-line and forcing more errors, and Cook nailed another penalty to extend the lead to 14-0.

In the 30th minute Albert Hopoate went close to hitting back for the Wolves but strong defence stopped him inches from the line.

Five minutes later only a smart ball read from Matty Ashton, who knocked the ball down, prevented a third Leigh try.

Soon after that, great cover defence from Warrington stopped Innes Senior scoring on the other wing.

Irwin looked certain to score at the other end on the stroke of half-time, but the Leopards scrambled hard to keep him out and leave the Wolves with it all to do.

However, it was Leigh who came out of the sheds firing with super sub Ipape using his strength to burrow over just four minutes into the second half.

Cook couldn’t add the extras but it was proving to be mission impossible for the Wire.

It got worse on 51 minutes when Sam Powell was sin-binned for a hip drop which forced Niu off injured.

Ipape then went close to scoring again, after making a great break down the right flank, but desperate defence cut him down short.

Leigh’s victory was confirmed with 21 minutes left when Hanley cut through some weak tackling to burst through and score from nearly 50 metres out. Cook’s fourth successful kick extended the dominance to 24-0.

Sneyd picked up a consolation try with two minutes left, converted by Irwin, but with Leigh fan and likely the next UK Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, watching in the stands, it was an evening to celebrate for the Leopards.

GAMESTAR: Lachlan Lam showed his class with a powerful playmaking display.

GAMEBREAKER: Edwin Ipape came on and ensured Leigh didn’t take their foot off the pedal.

HIGHLIGHT REEL: David Armstrong’s 60-metre try, where he skinned the Warrington defence, was simply sensational.

ALBERT GOLDTHORPE POINTS
3 pts Lachlan Lam (Leigh)
2 pts Edwin Ipape (Leigh)
1 pt David Armstrong (Leigh)

MATCHFACTS

LEOPARDS
1 David Armstrong
19 Innes Senior
3 Tesi Niu
4 Umyla Hanley
18 Bailey Hodgson
6 Adam Cook
7 Lachlan Lam
8 Joe Ofahengaue
17 Liam Horne
10 Robbie Mulhern
11 Frankie Halton
12 Owen Trout
13 Isaac Liu
Subs (all used)
9 Edwin Ipape
16 Matt Davis
21 Gareth O’Brien
25 Louis Brogan
18th man (not used)
14 Aaron Pene
Also in 21-man squad
5 Josh Charnley
15 Jacob Alick-Wiencke
24 Ben McNamara

Tries: Niu (5), Armstrong (17), Ipape (44), Hanley (58)
Goals: Cook 4/6

WOLVES
18 Ewan Irwin
35 Lachlan Webster
26 Josh Smith
4 Albert Hopoate
5 Matty Ashton
19 Leon Hayes
7 Marc Sneyd
16 Liam Byrne
9 Danny Walker
10 James Harrison
20 James Bentley
34 Kelepi Tanginoa
13 Ben Currie
Subs (all used)
11 Adam Holroyd
14 Sam Powell
21 Luke Thomas
25 Max Wood
18th man (not used)
36 Charlie McKler
Also in 21-man squad
27 Jake Thewlis
30 Tom McKinney
33 Tommy Rhodes

Tries: Sneyd (78)
Goals: Irwin 1/1
Sin bin: Powell (51) – dangerous tackle

SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 8-0, 12-0, 14-0; 18-0, 24-0, 24-6

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Man of the Match
Leopards: Lachlan Lam; Wolves: Ben Currie

Penalty count: 4-3
Half-time: 14-0
Referee: Liam Moore