Match Report | Leigh Leopards (A)

Huddersfield Giants lost out 34-16 over two days to Leigh Leopards at the Leigh Sports Village.

Leigh started the fastest out of the two sides, and took the lead early on, through high scoring winger Josh Charnley, who caught Esan Marsters out of position and raced down the left-hand side to score.

The Giants grew into the game however, and after an error from Tom Amone which gifted us field position, we took full advantage.

On the last, Jake Connor spotted a gap and darted for the line, crossing for his first Giants try since 2016.

Will Pryce added the extras to hand us a two-point lead.

Tui Lolohea then kicked high minutes later, but the kick was claimed by an uncontested Tom Briscoe who raced away, and on the resulting tackle, Leigh spread the ball and Josh Charnley grabbed his second.

With minutes remaining of the half, Tom Briscoe found himself unopposed out wide, after a flowing Leopards move saw him grab a try of his own to push the home sides’ lead further out in front.

The hooter would sound, with Leigh leading 16-6.

In an extraordinary turn of events, the Leigh Sports Village floodlights would fail soon after the second half got underway, meaning that the game on Friday evening was abandoned, with Leigh leading 16-12, and 25m out from the Giants line.

In a Rugby League first, it was decided by the RFL, to opposition from the Giants, that the game would be continued from the 49^th minute at Leigh, on Sunday.

And so, we continue, with Leigh immediately re-introducing their powerful forwards John Asiata and Tom Amone, the former who had just left the field on Friday evening, came straight back on for Joe Wardle who he replaced two days before.

Chris Hill and Adam Milner would not take any further part in the game for the Giants, after sustaining injuries, meaning we were down to two interchanges for the remaining 32 minutes.

Leigh made the freshness tell, as Edwin Ipape, barged through a gap left by Chris McQueen and Will Pryce to extend the home advantage.

Sam Halsall momentarily got the Giants back into the game, with his eighth try of the season, leaving the scores at 22-16, but Leigh would finish the stronger.

Two scores in the closing stages from John Asiata and Lachlan Lam, would mean the home side wrapped up the two points in the continuation.

The 15-men Giants gave a strong account of themselves but fell to defeat at the Leigh Sports Village on Friday and Sunday.

Final Score | Leigh Leopards 34-16 Huddersfield Giants

HUDDERSFIELD GIANTS – Will Pryce, Esan Marsters, Jake Bibby, Kevin Naiqama, Sam Halsall, Jake Connor, Tui Lolohea, Chris Hill, Adam Milner, Matty English, Chris McQueen, Leroy Cudjoe, Luke Yates.

Interchanges – Nathan Peats, Oliver Wilson, Seb Ikahihifo, Sam Hewitt. 18^th Man Harvey Livett

TRIES

Jake Connor 2, Sam Halsall

GOALS

Will Pryce 2