Betfred Super League Round 22 (Magic Weekend)
Sunday 18 August 2024, Elland Road, Leeds (1:30pm)
Leigh Leopards 26-0 Salford Red Devils
Leopards’ sixth win in their last seven games moved them above Leeds Rhinos and into seventh in the Betfred Super League table, within three points of Salford, Catalans and Saints with five rounds to go.
One match at a time but Leopards now definitely have put themselves in contention of a top six place and a coveted play-off place, if they can continue this late season form.
Of their five remaining games, three are at the Leopards Den against teams above them in the table: Warrington, Hull KR and Saints. They travel to London next Sunday and later to Castleford.
Zak Hardaker’s ambition was to star on the Elland Road stage where he has seen his Leeds United heroes like Mark Viduka and Harry Kewell shine so brightly.
The former Man of Steel certainly fulfilled his aims as he put in a near faultless performance that spearheaded Leopards’ impressive defeat of the Red Devils.
Hardaker was safe under the high ball, cleared his lines with determination, joined the attack when the opportunity arose, kicked flawlessly and capped off his Sky Player of the Match award with a sparkling late try.
Leopards were already ahead through Edwin Ipape’s trademark close range try when Salford paid the price for ill-discipline, losing Ethan Ryan and then Brad Singleton to the sin bin in quick succession, both for swinging arms, the first on Ricky Leutele, the second on Gareth O’Brien.
In the current disciplinary climate Salford could have no complaints on either score.
Briefly down to 11 men, Leopards made them pay when Umyla Hanley, first receiver just inside his own half, showed great footwork and searing pace to score arguably the try of the Magic Weekend, leaving a trail of Salford defenders in his wake. It was a great way to celebrate his 50th senior game.
Salford’s normal attacking fluency was restricted by the Leopards’ tight defence and rarely did they threaten the line.
Kai O’Donnell, again a stand-out, shone in a fine pack display while Salford’s dangerous centres Nene Macdonald and Tim Lafai were given few opportunities.
Marc Sneyd’s brilliant kicking game for once failed to make a breakthrough while Ryan Brierley, so often a thorn in the side of his old club, rarely threatened in attack.
Hardaker extended Leopards’ lead to 14-0 with a penalty six minutes after the restart and it took a brilliant tackle by Chris Hankinson that denied O’Brien a try to keep Salford in the game.
Just seven minutes remained when Ipape and Asiata carved up Salford down the middle and Hardaker was in support to joyously score the try he craved.
Leopards’ victory was long assured, and gift wrapped by Leutele’s smart one handed finish by the flag, Hardaker magnificently adding the touchline conversion to complete his perfect day.
Leopards: 3 Zak Hardaker; 34 Darnell McIntosh, 24 Umyla Hanley, 4 Ricky Leutele, 22 Keanan Brand; 1 Gareth O’Brien, 7 Lachlan Lam; 8 Tom Amone, 9 Edwin Ipape, 10 Robbie Mulhern, 11 Kai O’Donnell, 16 Frankie Halton, 13 John Asiata (capt)
Bench: 12 Jack Hughes, 35 Aaron Pene, 17 Owen Trout, 33 Brad Dwyer. 18th player: 15 Matt Davis (not used)
Tries: Ipape (6), Hanley (21), Hardaker (73), Leutele (77)
Goals: Hardaker 5/ 5
Red Devils: 1 Ryan Brierley; 2 Ethan Ryan, 3 Nene Macdonald, 4 Tim Lafai, 5 Deon Cross; 32 Jayden Nikorima, 7 Marc Sneyd; 8 Brad Singleton, 24 Joe Mellor, 15 Shane Wright, 11 Sam Stone, 12 Kallum Watkins (capt), 13 Oliver Partington
Bench: 16 Joe Shorrocks, 23 Chris Hankinson, 29 Loghan Lewis, 31 Joe Bullock. 18th player: 14 Chris Atkin
Sin bin: Ryan (12), Singleton (17)
Scoring sequence: 6-0, 12-0 (ht) 14-0, 20-0, 26-0
Referee: Liam Moore; Touch judges: R Thompson & N Horton; Reserve referee: C Hughes; Video referee: Jack Smith; M Com: K Leyland: Timekeeper: N Hope
Penalty count: 8-6
GLDO: 3-0
Attendance: 22,293
