Betfred Super League Elimination Play-Off
Friday 27 September 2024, Salford Community Stadium (8pm)
Salford Red Devils 6-14 Leigh Leopards
Leopards reached their first play-off semi-final of the Betfred Super League era with an amazing display of resilience, teamwork and opportunism before a record crowd at the Salford Community Stadium.
Over 10,000 fans created a RL ground record and a white hot atmosphere fitting for an intense and fiercely fought elimination game.
Second half tries by Josh Charnley, Gareth O’Brien and Edwin Ipape turned the tie in favour of the Leopards after Salford shaded the first half.
But injuries to Frankie Halton and Charnley look set to rule them out of the semi-final.
Halton failed an HIA after being forced to leave the field in the eighth minute after a crunching tackle by Tim Lafai.
Charnley was taken from the field on a stretcher and taken to hospital fifteen minutes from time after a heavy collision chasing a loose ball near the Salford line. The injury caused a lengthy delay as the Leopards medical team gave him expert care as he lay prone on the field. Everyone wishes him a speedy recovery.
Salford went in 2-0 ahead through a Marc Sneyd penalty in the 27th minute. Chris Hankinson had claims for a try ruled out by the video referee for a knock-on but referee Jack Smith awarded a penalty for an offence in the build up.
Leopards hung on with some last ditch defence at times, their work rate and energy quite extraordinary as the Red Devils forced several repeat sets in good ball.
Second half the Leopards turned the game on its head, dominating possession with the brilliant Ipape emerging as the key figure.
Matt Moylan and Ricky Leutele created the space for a superb Charnley finish by the flag for a try that makes him clear second all time Super League scorer after sharing the honour with Danny McGuire.
Ipape’s piercing midfield break and cut out pass then created a second for the supporting O’Brien, celebrating his 200th Super League game.
Moylan converted to give Leopards a 10-2 lead.
Ipape then forced his way over on the right for a third try that underlined his player of the match award.
Just three minutes remained when Jack Hughes was yellow carded for obstruction. Salford finally broke through when Sneyd’s precision kick created a try for Ethan Ryan. Sneyd’s conversion attempt drifted wide of the far post, however, and Leopards could breathe.
Zak Hardaker, playing his 300th Super League game, was pressed into service as a second tow and was one of a team full of heroes.
Not since 1951 have Leigh reached a championship semi-final which underlines the massive achievement of a team that will go down in the town’s folklore.
After beginning an injury plagued few months with seven defeats in nine games, Leopards have won 11 of their last 13.
Realistically, knowing one slip could cost them a top six place, they’ve been playing play-off football for three months and so the semi-final will hold no fear for Adrian Lam’s Leopards.
Red Devils
23 Chris Hankinson; 2 Ethan Ryan, 3 Nene Macdonald, 4 Tim Lafai, 5 Deon Cross; 32 Jayden Nikorima, 7 Marc Sneyd; 8 Brad Singleton, 24 Joe Mellor, 27 Gil Dudson, 11 Sam Stone, 12 Kallum Watkins (capt), 13 Oli Partington
Bench:
16 Joe Shorrocks, 1 Ryan Brierley, 29 Loghan Lewis, 15 Shane Wright. 18th player (not used) 31 Joe Bullock
Tries:
Ryan (78)
Goals:
Sneyd 1/ 2
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 Amone, 9 Edwin Ipape, 10 Robbie Mulhern, 12 Jack Hughes, 16 Frankie Halton, 13 John Asiata
Bench:
3 Zak Hardaker, 17 Owen Trout, 33 Brad Dwyer, 35 Aaron Pene. 18th man (not used) 15 Matt Davis
Tries:
Charnley (53), O’Brien (59), Ipape (66)
Goals:
Moylan 1/ 3
Sun bin: Hughes (77)
Scoring sequence: 2-0 (ht) 2-4, 2-10, 2-14, 6-14
Penalty count: 7-9
GLDO: 4-1
Attendance: 10,867
Referee: Jack Smith; Touch judges: R Thompson & M Craven; Reserve referee: Liam Rush; M Com: Keith Leyland; Video referee: Tom Grant; Reserve touch judge: G Jones; Timekeeper: A Smith
