Rugby League Dec 07, 2025

Leigh Leopards 26-10 Wakefield Trinity: Leigh set up semi-final against Wigan Warriors for second year in a row with domination of Wakefield Trinity

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By Admin
Sports Journalist
Leigh Leopards 26-10 Wakefield Trinity: Leigh set up semi-final against Wigan Warriors for second year in a row with domination of Wakefield Trinity

Leigh Leopards put in a 26-10 domination of Wakefield Trinity at the Progress with Unity Stadium to book their spot in the semi-finals of Super League for the second year in a row.

In the third vs sixth clash, Leigh Leopards had the most comprehensive of half-time leads, converted tries from Keanan Brand, Isaac Liu and Josh Charnley putting them 18-0 ahead as Wakefield struggled to find a foothold in the game.

Wakefield managed to get one back through Jayden Myers but with such a healthy lead, a penalty from Gareth O'Brien plus Alec Tuitavake try was enough to get Leigh into the semi-finals, delighting their strong home contingent of fans even as Cameron Scott went over for a late converted effort for the visitors.

Once again, Adrian Lam's side will face neighbours Wigan Warriors for a spot in the Grand Final.

That means Hull KR will face the winner of Leeds Rhinos vs St Helens, which you can watch on September 27 from 7.30pm, live on SportNews.

On a night of huge positives, Leigh will be sweating as it was confirmed that their star Lachlan Lam has been placed on report accused of an 'unacceptable language' charge made by Wakefield's Mason Lino.

As the home outfit, Leigh looked immediately more comfortable and had all the territory and momentum in the opening stages, coming and coming at Wakefield for the opening 10 minutes.

Trinity did manage to get some field position of their own but a knock on ended up being their undoing, Leigh working out wide through a Hodgson break, Hanley's hands, and eventually Brand on the end on in the corner on the 11th minute, O'Brien converting for an early 6-0 lead.

The Leopards continued to be relentless and after multiple repeat sets were finally over again through a storming run from Liu with no complaints from Wakefield this time, O'Brien doing the honours from in front of the sticks to move them 12-0 ahead and leaving the visitors searching for answers.

Things then only got worse for Wakefield as, just five minutes later, a magical Lachlan Lam 40/20 plus try assist had Leigh delighted once again, Charnley the one to go over this time from the stunning miss pass with O'Brien accurate from the sideline for a dominant 18-0 lead.

While Leigh had a solid lead, it took Wakefield until four minutes after half-time to finally hit back, Myers showing skill to go over in the corner and reach out with one hand under huge pressure but Mason Lino was unable to add the extras as they brought the score to 18-4.

There was then an immediate momentum killer for the visitors as only a minute later Leigh received a penalty for an obstruction from Josh Rourke and so O'Brien did the honours to give Leigh in a 16-point advantage.

With 18 minutes remaining, the Leopards then put the game to bed as Tuitaavke powered over from short range on the back of a Joe Ofahengaue pass, O'Brien obliging once again to out them 26-4 ahead.

Cameron Scott came up with a piece of individual brilliant with just nine minutes left on the clock as he stepped his way through and under the sticks, Lino sending over the extras, but it was too little too late as Leigh went striding through to the semis once again.

Leigh Leopards head coach Adrian Lam told SportNews:

"A great achievement from the group, giving ourselves the same opportunity we had last year: 80 minutes away from Old Trafford.

"We managed that second half and got through it in great shape, and I was happy with that. I thought the first half was fantastic.

"I'm just proud. There was a lot to play for, for the fans and more importantly for the group.

"You just have to play the cards in front of you. We've got a seven-day turnaround to Wigan. A special night tonight.

"We have to do things we've never ever done to get what we want, it's going to be physical and we're looking forward to it."

Wakefield Trinity head coach Daryl Powell told SportNews:

"I thought Leigh were at another level tonight, they played superbly. We couldn't quite go with it.

"We've had a superb year but we lose Matty Storton early, which didn't help, but I can't say anything other than I'm proud of the boys and the support was immense.

"We're a club going in the right direction. Tonight was just a step too far for us, but we will learn a lot from this.

"We're on a similar journey to Leigh. I don't think we did ourselves justice tonight but sometimes in these big games, that's the way it is.

"I genuinely think Leigh have a chance this year if that play to that level."

Watch every Super League game live on SportNews. Two matches in each round are exclusively live, with the remaining four fixtures shown on via the red button.

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