Leigh Leopards  20
St. Helens  12
DATE
COMPETITION
VENUEATTENDANCE(HT)
10th Mar 2023
Super League
AWAY
8765
(HT:0:12)

3 - Ben Davies
AGE AT TIME OF MATCH 22

5 - Jonathan Bennison
AGE AT TIME OF MATCH 20

TRIES
1
WINNING HONOURS
2022 SLGF

7 - Lewis Dodd
AGE AT TIME OF MATCH 21

WINNING HONOURS
2021 SLGF 2023 WCC

8 - Iggy Paasi
AGE AT TIME OF MATCH 31

WINNING HONOURS
2021 RLCCF 2021 SLGF 2022 SLGF
2023 WCC

11 - Sam Royle
AGE AT TIME OF MATCH 23

12 - James Bell
AGE AT TIME OF MATCH 28

WINNING HONOURS
2023 WCC

15 - Joey Lussick
AGE AT TIME OF MATCH 27

WINNING HONOURS
2022 SLGF 2023 WCC

17 - Jake Wingfield
AGE AT TIME OF MATCH 21

WINNING HONOURS
2022 SLGF 2023 WCC

Age in brackets is at time of match - Total average age for this team is 0 - ** non-playing sub


COACH : Paul Wellens


(2022-10-05 : 2023-12-31 )


MATCH VIDEO

MATCH REPORT


MATCH REPORT : After working the ball downfield following a Leopards knock on early on, the hosts then laid a high shot on Matty Lees, Saints opted for two and Tommy Makinson converted the penalty from in front of the sticks. That lead was extended in the tenth minute. Saints moved downfield and on the last Jonny Lomax kicked high to the right edge, Makinson patted the ball backwards back to Lomax who was able to spin his way over the line to score. Makinson converted, giving the Saints an eight points lead.. Nineteen minutes in, Saints had their second try. An incorrect play the ball in the Leigh half gave Saints possession in great field position, a couple of tackles into their set the ball was shifted left and Jack Welsby threw a cut-out pass to allow Jon Bennison to stroll in at the corner. Makinson’s attempt bounced out off the post. Sadly that completed the Saints' scoring for the match.

The best chance for the hosts came 28 minutes in. A break down their right edge saw Zak Hardaker tackled in the Saints twenty. Another tackle then passed by before Edwin Ipape’s pass was fumbled as Leigh looked to capitalise on a retreating Red V defence. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook then entered the game to make his 450th career appearance.Another chance quickly followed, the Leopards threw it from right to left but were held up over the Saints line, much to the disagreement of the home fans who had thought Ricky Leutele was over for four points. Despite both sides having strong chances to add to the score line, it remained 0-12 to the Red V at the break at a freezing Leigh Sports Village in a hard fought first 40.

Leigh then were awarded a penalty of their own in the very next set for offside and began to move downfield. A few tackles in the hosts kept the ball alive as Hardaker found Joe Mellor, he found Edwin Ipape, but the PNG International fumbled the ball as he headed for four points after some great last ditch Saints defence. Leigh then grabbed their first points. The hosts were awarded another penalty and moved it to their left edge where Josh Charnley cut in off the wing before finishing in the left corner. Hardaker missed the kick. Saints then had a small chance to increase their lead. Makinson made a great break down the right touchline and kicked the ball ahead, but it wouldn’t sit right for the waiting Welsby and bounced into touch. With 15 minutes to go, Matty Lees was sent to the sin bin following a high shot on Gareth O’Brien after he had collected a high kick. The hosts took full advantage. On the last and in the Saints twenty, Leigh opted to kick high to their right edge and the ball was batted down into the arms of Tom Briscoe who went over. Hardaker missed the kick, but the Leopards had reduced the deficit to just four points.. The hosts then took the lead with nine minutes to go. Once again the Leopards moved downfield and the visitors were unable to wrap up Hardaker who spun away to score underneath the sticks. Hardaker converted his own touchdown and the Leopards led by 14 points to 12.. A fourth Leigh try soon followed. A kick on the last in Saints territory was knocked on by Lewis Dodd and that allowed Joe Shorrocks to pick up the loose ball and score. Hardaker converted to give the hosts a two-score lead for the first time on the night, 20-12, with only three minutes left. Leigh saw out the game and claimed a big scalp for their records over the Saints, who suffered back to back late defeats which was something that had become unusual in that golden period for the Club.

Thanks to Saints Media Centre for their report.







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