Betfred Challenge Cup Quarter-Final
DIY Kitchens Stadium, Belle Vue, Friday 4 April 2025 (8:00pm)
Wakefield Trinity 12-20 Leigh Leopards
Leopards are one game away from their second Wembley appearance in three seasons after their thrilling victory at Belle Vue.
Turning around the form book, they put to one side their 40pt defeat at the hands of Trinity just seven days before with a performance full of desire, commitment and no little skill.
Two years ago, Leopards started their Cup campaign with a last 16 win on the same ground. Just 1,568 watched a low key and one-sided game with Trinity bound for a relegation season and seemingly in the doldrums.
Rebuilding not unlike Leopards did, with a trophy laden season in the Championship, they have re-energised and are now a much-changed team and club.
The huge investment by owner Matt Ellis and his family and the fantastic ground developments allied to an excellent team-building programme has reawakened the support of a true hotbed of the game.
Over 6,000 saw this dramatic tie, creating a great atmosphere with the result in doubt until the closing stages.
With six of their cup-winning team in harness, Leopards defended with resolution and organisation in a fast and largely error-free first half, stemming the flow of close range tries that underpinned Trinity’s win at the Leopards Den.
Trinity scored four tries from within the ten-metre area in their 40 pt win, but this time Leopards were only too aware of the threat of hooker Liam Hood, England international Mike McMeeken and their big pack of fellow forwards.
Robbie Mulhern returned from injury in inspiring form on his 250th appearance, and alongside Edwin Ipape, who started the game, stiffened the Leopards pack who set the tone for the game within an intense opening quarter.
All the Leopards’ hard work was soon undone, however, as Trinity started the second half in sensational form. Mason Linu’s kick to the corner bounced kindly for Matty Russell to score and Oliver Pratt’s piercing run was finished off by supporting fullback Josh Rourke. With Lino landing both goals Trinity held a 12-6 lead and looked on top.
Leopards dug deep, weathered the storm and spied a comeback when O’Brien’s long kick was fumbled by Rourke. From the resulting scrum Tesi Niu bulldozed his way through four defenders for an inspirational try, O’Brien’s goal levelling the scores,
When O’Brien was taken out late, he recovered to land the resulting 15-metre penalty with 14 minutes remaining.
The decisive try followed two minutes later. Rourke was pinned back by O’Brien’s long kick, and chose to pass the ball to Russell with six Leigh players charging on him. Russell fumbled and Bailey Hodgson swooped to score the clinching try.
Leopards
David Armstrong; Keanan Brand, Umyla Hanley, Tesi Niu, Bailey Hodgson; Gareth O’Brien, Lachlan Lam; Owen Trout, Edwin Ipape, Robbie Mulhern, Frankie Halton, Ethan O’Neill, Isaac Liu
Bench:
Louis Brogan (not used), Alec Tuitavake, Matty Davis, Jack Hughes. 18th player: Ben McNamara
Tries:
Lam (19), Niu (59), Hodgson (68)
Goals:
O’Brien 4/ 5
Trinity
Josh Rourke; Matty Russell, Cam Scott, Oliver Pratt, Tom Johnstone; Mason Lino, Oliver Russell; Mike McMeeken, Liam Hood, Calen Hamlin-Uele, Jack Croft, Isaiah Vagana, Jay Pitts
Bench:
Ky Rodwell, Mathieu Cozza, Harvey Smith, Renouf Atoni. 18th player: Corey Hall
Tries:
Russell (41), Rourke (49)
Goals:
Lino 2/ 2
Referee: Jack Smith; Touch judges: W Turley & J Roberts. Reserve referee: Cameron Worsley. M Com: Gerry Kershaw; Video referee: Liam Rush, Timekeeper: Paul Crashley
Attendance: 6,125
Scoring sequence: 0-6 (ht) 6-6, 12-6, 12-12, 12-14, 12-20
Penalty count: 2-7; GLDO: 1-0
