Betfred Super League, Round 26
Leopards Den, Friday 13 September 2024
Leigh Leopards 0-24 Hull KR
Leopards’ play-off aspirations remain in their own hands despite Rovers inflicting a double shut-out at the Leopards Den.
Rovers followed their 12-0 win earlier in the season with this ultimately convincing 24-0 success that keeps their own hopes of the league leaders shield alive until the final round of the season.
Leopards must now beat St Helens at the Leopards Den next Friday to be sure of extending their season.
In a high-quality game of play-off intensity Rovers had the match winner in their England international halfback Mikey Lewis.
Lewis produced a brilliant performance as part of an impressive all-round effort by the visitors who have now beaten Leopards in all five meetings since Wembley 13 months ago.
Leopards were twice powerless to stop Rovers executing their well-worked kicking move that led to the only tries of the first half.
Twice Lewis launched booming kicks from deep, twice Tyrone May sprinted up field and leapt acrobatically to beat Leopards’ fullback Matt Moylan in the aerial challenge, twice Rovers scored.
Ryan Hall blasted over for the first, Lewis himself cut through the clutches of three would-be defenders for the second.
Leopards had plenty of good ball, twice forcing repeat sets but their customary attacking shape was missing. Rovers defended superbly and with ruthless efficiency, each man knowing his job and readjusted well after losing fullback Niall Evalds to an HIA.
The first try of the second half was always crucial and once Sauaso Sue blasted his way over by the posts Rovers looked in control.
Lewis added his second try after Rovers kept the ball alive on the last tackle and he completed his team’s notable win with a penalty.
Rovers captain Elliot Minchella was yellow carded for a high tackle on Moylan after another high kick but referee Chris Kendall awarded Rovers a penalty for a Leopards obstruction in the build up and Lewis potted his fourth goal.
This was only Leopards’ second defeat in 11 games, and they will regroup quickly for what should be an unforgettable evening of drama next Friday when Saints, their own play-off hopes also in the balance, are in town.
Gareth O’Brien and Brad Dwyer each made their respective 300th career appearances, a proud achievement.
Ricky Leutele was deserved player of the match choice for his top display in a losing cause.
Leopards
6 Matt Moylan; 34 Darnell McIntosh, 24 Umyla Hanley, 4 Ricky Leutele, 5 Josh Charnley; 1 Gareth O’Brien, 7 Lachlan Lam; 8 Tom Ambne, 15 Matt Davis, 10 Robbie Mulhern, 11 Kai O’Donnell, 16 Frankie Halton, 13 John Asiata
Bench:
12 Jack Hughes, 17 Owen Trout, 33 Brad Dwyer, 35 Aaron Pene. 18th man (not used) 20 Oliver Holmes
Tries:
Goals:
Rovers
2 Niall Evalds; 35 Joe Burgess, 1 Peta Hiku, 4 Oliver Gildart, 5 Ryan Hall; 27 Tyrone May, 7 Mikey Lewis; 8 Sauaso Sue, 14 Matt Parcell, 11 Dean Hadley, 17 Matthew Storton, 12 James Batchelor, 13 Elliot Minchella (capt)
Bench:
9 Jez Litten, 15 Sam Luckley, 3 Tom Opacic, 37 Jack Brown. 18th player (not used): 10 George King
Tries:
Hall (21), Lewis (29, 60), Sue (48)
Goals:
Lewis 4/ 5
Sin bin: Minchella (63)
Scoring sequence: 0-4, 0-10 (ht) 0-16, 0-22, 0-24
Referee: Chris Kendall; Touch judges: M Craven & J Roberts; Video referee: Ben Thaler; Time keeper: Keith Leyland; M Com: Pat Cluskey; Reserve referee: A Billington
Attendance: 8,412
Penalty count: 1-4
GLDO: 0-0
Main Match Sponsor: Lloyds Electrical NW Ltd
Player of the Match Sponsor: Appy Little Plums Day Nursery & Preschool- awarded to Ricky Leutele
Match Programme Sponsor: Nutra Prep’s
Match Ball Sponsor: G&T Express Limited Freight Forwarders
Champagne Moment Sponsor: Pier (UK) Ltd Vacuum Excavation- Lachlan Lam’s never-say-die attitude
Kit Sponsor: Patrick
