Betfred Super League Round 3
Leopards Den, Friday 28 February 2025 (8pm)
Leigh Leopards 34-6 Catalans Dragons
Three straight wins, three tries for Umyla Hanley, a flying start for the Leopards in their third season since rebranding.
The Greatest Show off the field and another brilliant performance on the pitch, fuelled by the vibrancy of youth, as the Dragons’ fire was extinguished, and the visitors were consigned to their third successive loss.
Hanley provided the cutting edge to a compelling Leopards’ performance that had the North Stand in full voice, scoring his third hat-trick inside a year. His footwork close to the line was outstanding as he finished off sublime approach play by halfbacks Lachlan Lam and Gareth O’Brien.
He went close to a four-try haul but had claims for an early score disallowed by the video referee.
Like his right-wing partner, Keanan Brand has had to learn the value of patience, waiting for a regular run in the side. He celebrated his new three-year contract extension with a sizzling 80-metre try.
Second row partners Jack Hughes and Ethan O’Neill each scored a try to reward typically industrious and dynamic performances in the back row while Isaac Liu enjoyed his best game yet in a Leopards shirt to underline his rich pedigree. Liu and Owen Trout each did 60-minute stints to help quell the biggest pack in Super League.
Late team changes underlined the strength in depth and youthful promise of Adriam Lam’s side. With David Armstrong sidelined by illness, Bailey Hodgson switched to fullback and enjoyed an outstanding game.
Dragons’ halfback Luke Keary is one of the most talented and experienced playmakers in the game with a varied and highly tuned kicking game. But he was driven to distraction as Hodgson’s brilliant positioning, safe handling and dynamic clearing runs negated Keary’s attempts to infuse life into the Dragons’ attacks.
AJ Towse came in for his Super League debut at late notice- so late his parents were unable to get back from a holiday in France to witness it. Named as the Leopards’ best performer in preseason training, the former York Knights wing handled the occasion nervelessly and was unfazed opposing the highly decorated and dangerous Tommy Makinson.
Leopards’ tireless defensive efforts paved the way for the convincing win. Time and again three- or four-man tackles snuffed out the Dragons’ offloading game and soaked up long spells of pressure.
When they got to the other end Leopards had the clinical, cutting edge to take their opportunities.
Attacking the North Stand in the second half, Leopards added three more tries to those by Hanley, Brand and Hughes in the first half.
Hanley (twice) and O’Neill added further scores, with O’Brien and Lam at the heart of everything, combining smoothly at half.
Dragon’s only reply was a close range try from dummy half by Alrix Da Costa which spoiled an otherwise near perfect Leopards defensive display.
Leopards
24 Bailey Hodgson; 18 Keanan Brand, 4 Umyla Hanley, 3 Tesi Niu, 29 AJ Towse; 6 Gareth O’Brien, 7 Lachlan Lam; 8 Owen Trout, 9 Edwin Ipape, 10 Robbie Mulhern, 12 Jack Hughes, 20 Ethan O’Neill, 13 Isaac Liu
Bench:
19 Louis Brogan, 15 Alec Tuitavake, 16 Matt Davis, 17 Brad Dwyer. 18th player 21 Andrew Badrock
Tries:
Hanley (9, 45, 71), Brand (25), Hughes (29), O’Neill (59)
Goals:
O’Brien 5/ 6
Leopards debut:
AJ Towse (HN#1572)
Dragons
18 Cesar Rouge; 2 Tommy Makinson, 23 Matthieu Laguerre, 3 Arthur Romano, 5 Nick Cotric; 6 Luke Keary, 4 Reimis Smith, 16 Romain Navarette, 9 Ben Garcia, 10 Julian Bousquet, 17 Bayley Sironen, 12 Elliott Whitehead, 13 Oliver Partington
Bench:
14 Alrix Da Costa, 20 Jordan Dezaria, 19 Paul Seguier, 11 Tariq Sims. 18th player: 22 Fouad Yaha
Tries:
Da Costa (67)
Goals:
Makinson 1/ 1
Sin bin:
Dezaria (39)
Scoring sequence: 6-0, 12-0, 16-0 (ht), 22-0, 28-0, 28-6, 34-6
Penalty count: 10-6
GLDO: 1-1
Attendance: 8.011
Referee: Jack Smith; Touch judges: R Cox & N Horton; Reserve referee: L O’Brien; M Com: Tony Brown; Video referee: J Vella; Timekeeper: Keith Leyland
Main Match Sponsor: Skyrise Installations
Match Ball Sponsor: WJ Structures
Player of the Match: Umyla Hanley (sponsored by PSL Plumbing & Heating)
Champagne Moment: Keanan Brand’s 80-metre try (sponsored by Cal)
Official Kit Partner: Reebok
