LEOPARDS IN SHAPE FOR WEMBLEY
LEEDS RHINOS 6 LEIGH LEOPARDS 13
PHIL CAPLAN
Headingley, Sunday
Lachlan Lam braces for the challenge of Sam Lisone
DESPITE MISGIVINGS that it might be a risk to play a virtual full side a week before their first Wembley in 52 years, Leigh emerged unscathed and continued a season of records with their first win at Headingley since April 1984.
“I think our philosophy has been clear all year, and where we sit on the ladder is important to us,” Leopards coach Adrian Lam had said beforehand, and of the need to stay together and get it right for the big game.
Ben Reynolds, who often goes under the radar, controlled this encounter in impressive fashion, while Jack Hughes cemented his claims for a starting spot against Hull KR, Edwin Ipape and Kai O’Donnell made welcome returns with typically hardworking efforts and, even though he was only on for half an hour, John Asiata set a huge lead again.