Friday 3 October 2025
Betfred Super League Playoff Semi-Final
Brick Community Stadium (8pm)
Wigan Warriors 18-6 Leigh Leopards
Leopards’ magnificent season came to an end in gallant fashion as the reigning Super League champions reserved their return to Old Trafford after a titanic struggle.
Bevan French, originally signed by Adrian Lam when he was head coach of the Warriors was again the thorn in the Leopards’ side with two tries and a late try assist.
The genius of the reigning Man of Steel made an indelible mark on an intense semi-final with two first half tries.
French was on hand to finish off for the game’s opening try after Liam Farrell’s thundering tackle dislodged the ball from Bailey Hodgson as the outstanding Leopards fullback tried to clear his lines.
Less than 20 seconds remained of the first half when French started and finished a flowing Warriors attack as they broke the Leopards defence down the right.
Leopards had drawn level when Edwin Ipape’s short pass sent Robbie Mulhern through a gap close to the Warriors line for a converted try.
6-6 was a fair reflection of the way the game had gone in that first half until Ipape gave away a penalty for obstruction on French late on and Adam Keighran potted the penalty. From the re-start Wigan set up the position for French’s second try.
The second half was scoreless until Sam Walters fastened on to French’s pass with the last act of the game, Keighran declining to take the conversion.
It was a game of small margins for the Leopards who went toe to toe with the champions and on the overall balance of play were their equal. Completing in the mid-90s as Leopards did is a magnificent stat that wins most games.
Hodgson was again outstanding, making nearly 300 metres to highlight his magnificent debut season for the Leopards.
Owen Trout was denied a sixth minute try by the video referee after referee Chris Kenall ruled ‘no try’ on field after Harry Smith somehow got under the ball. Or did he? The evidence was inconclusive.
In the second half the rampaging Trout looked all ends up a scorer until Jay Field got in the try-saving tackle.
Leopards lost 38-0 at the Brick Community Stadium at the same stage last season. They are getting better and closing the gap between them and the top two. The remarkable Leopards journey has only just begun.
Close to 5,000 Leigh fans sung their hearts out in the sold-out North Stand and gave their heroes a standing ovation at the end.
Warriors
Jay Field; Abbas Miski, Adam Keighran, Jake Wardle, Liam Marshall; Bevan French, Harry Smith; Liam Byrne, Brad O’Neill, Luke Thompson, Sam Walters, Liam Farrell, Kaide Ellis
Bench:
Ethan Havard, Junior Nsemba, Patrick Mago, Kruise Leeming. 18th player: Harvie Hill (not used)
Tries:
French (14, 40), Walters (80)
Goals:
Keighran 3/ 3
Leopards
Bailey Hodgson; Keanan Beand, Umyla Hanley, Tesi Niu, Josh Charnley, Gareth O’Brien, Lachlan Lam; Robbie Mulhern, Edwin Ipape, Joe Ofahengaue, Frankie Halton, Owen Trout, Isaac Liu
Bench:
Brad Dwyer, Matty Davis, Jack Hughes, Alec Tuitavake. 18th player: Ben McNamara (not used)
Tries:
Mulhern (28)
Goals:
O’Brien 1/ 1
Scoring sequence: 6-0, 6-6, 8-6, 14-6 (ht) 18-6
Attendance: 18,523
Referee: Chris Kendall
Touch judges: Matty Lynn and Marcus Griffiths; reserve touch judge: J Roberts
Reserve referee: Tara Jones
Video Referee: Tom Grant
M Com: Tony Brown; Timekeeper: N Hope
