Betfred Super League Round 21
Thursday 7 August 2025 (8pm)
Leopards Den
Leigh Leopards 14-22 Leeds Rhinos
Leopards’ four-match winning run came to an end as Leeds Rhinos completed a league double after a tight game of fine margins.
Superb early tries by Umyla Hanley and Keanan Brand put Leopards in the ascendancy, but Rhinos fought back to take a 10-8 half time lead after tries by Lachlan Miller and Sam Lisone.
Though James Bentley extended Rhinos’ lead soon after the re-start, Brand’s second try pulled Leopards back to within two points.
In a breathless closing half-hour Leopards had three opportunities to win the game.
Tesi Niu was held up over the Rhinos line on the back while Bailey Hodgson controversially had a try ruled out for obstruction off the ball. Referee Jack Smith appeared to change his mind and go to the screen.
With the clock ticking down Lachlan Lam’s pinpoint kick to the left put Josh Charnley seemingly in the clear only for the experienced wingman to spill the ball. 99 times out of 100 Charnley would have caught it, and Leopards could have been celebrating another victory.
Within seconds Rhinos sealed the game when Miller’s break set up Brodie Croft for the clincher.
After the 14-try attacking spectacular between the sides at Headingley in June this was an all together tighter affair and Leopards will rue missed opportunities that if taken would have extended their lead over Rhinos to five points with six games remaining.
Jake Connor, with his fine kicking game, and the outstanding Miller were key men for Rhinos.
The right-wing pairing of Hanley and Brand continues to flourish for Leopards, Hanley’s individual try, after beating four men in a confined space of international class.
Robbie Mulhern and Ethan O’Neill both returned after injury to boost the forward pack.
Though ultimately disappointed to lose, Leopards have four of their last six games at home and still have a great opportunity to finish second or third in the table.
Leopards
Bailey Hodgson; Keanan Brand, Umyla Hanley, Tesi Niu, Josh Charnley; Gareth O’Brien, Lachlan Lam; Owen Trout, Edwin Ipape, Joe Ofahengaue, Frankie Halton, Jack Hughes, Isaac Liu
Bench:
Ben McNamara, Robbie Mulhern, Matt Davis, Ethan O’Neill. 18th man: Alec Tuitavake (not used)
Tries:
Hanley (10, 25), Brand (15)
Goals:
O’Brien 1/3
Rhinos
Lachlan Miller; Ryan, Ash Handley, Harry Newman, Chris Hankinson; Brodie Croft, Jake Connor; Keenan Palasia, Jarrod O’Connor, Cooper Jenkins, James McDonnell, Morgan Gannon, Kallum Watkins
Bench:
James Bentley, Sam Lisone, Presley Cassell, Andy Ackers. 18th man (not used): Jack Sinfield
Tries:
Miller (25), Lisone (35), Bentley (43), Croft (75)
Goals:
Connor 3/ 4
Scoring sequence: 4-0, 8-0, 8-4, 8-10 (ht) 8-16, 14-16, 14-22
Attendance: 8,655
Referee: Jack Smith; Touch judges: Marcus Griffiths & Matty Lynn; Reserve referee: O Maddock; Video referee: Chris Kendall; Timekeeper: Peter Smith; M Com: Keith Leyland
Penalty count: 2-3
GLDO: 2-1
Main Match sponsor: Headline Events
Player of the Match sponsor: Belfor (awarded to Bailey Hodgson)
Match ball sponsor: Pro Pest Manchester
Champagne Moment sponsor: Protector Insurance (awarded to Keanan Brand for his second try)
Official Kit & Retail partner: Reebok
