24 May 2024

Match Report | Leigh Leopards | Round 12

Huddersfield Giants lost out 10-16 to Leigh Leopards at the John Smith's Stadium.

Tonight’s encounter between the Giants and Leigh Leopards surfaced with the Giants winless in their previous four outings, whilst the visitors came into the clash unbeaten in three.

The hosts started ferociously, with forceful carries from returning Chris Hill and Tui Lolohea, who is fresh from penning a new two-year-deal at the club. Looking sharp, the Giants almost had a score within 5 minutes, as Luke Yates burst through the middle of the park before the ball was shifted swiftly out wide to Elliot Wallis. The Giants' winger looked certain for 4 points, however a handling error kept the game at 0-0. 

Shortly after, the Giants were forced into their first interchange of the contest, as Kevin Naiqama was replaced by Harry Ruston after an collision.

The Giants showcased some top class defensive work at the other end soon after, as they kept out powering prop Tom Amone, who came crashing in from close range. However, the firm shoulders that met him resulted in him spilling the ball back into the hosts’ possession. 

Despite the Giants’ resilience, the breakthrough came just after the 10-minute mark for the travelling side, as Josh Charnley touched down for his 9th try of the campaign in the corner following slick hands across the line. His score was converted impressively by Matt Moylan, giving the Leopards a 6-0 lead.

An instant reply was almost given by the Giants, who gained yards after the first penalty of the game, as Jack Hughes was caught offside. The Giants probed on after getting themselves up the field, and a sneaky low kick through the line almost found the hands of Sam Halsall, but danger was averted as the Leopards intervened efficiently.

The contest rapidly heated up, due to an altercation between Elliot Wallis and Edwin Ipape at the play-of-the-ball. Leigh were awarded a penalty as a result, but made no use of it as they knocked the ball on almost immediately. 

Pressure was beginning to be built by the Giants, with back to back drop-outs being forced upon the Leopards. Firstly as a product of Lolohea chasing down an optimistic high kick, and bundling Leigh over their own line. Secondly, by Umyla Hanley parrying the ball out to deny Halsall any chance of scoring off the end of a cheeky final play kick behind the line.

The Giants undid their good work by gifting their opposition 2 points, when Seb Ikahihifo used a ‘dump tackle’ which awarded the Leopards a penalty. This was put over the sticks by Moylan, increasing the Leopards’ lead to 8-0.

More of the same was to come, as the Giants were soon becoming their own worst enemy. Oliver Russell became the first player of the night to enter the sin-bin, following a high tackle - reducing the Giants to 12 men.

The Leopards utilised their extra man advantage to full effect, with Edwin Ipape finding the gap, and eventually slamming the ball over the line in front of the travelling fans. Moylan made it 3/3 from the tee, making the scoreline 14-0 with less than 10 minutes of the first half to go.

With 5 minutes of the half to go, the numbers became level again, as Leopards centre Ed Chamberlain was shown a yellow card for obstructive play. 

Things went from bad to worse for Leigh as Frankie Halton was also shown a yellow, after his late challenge on Adam Clune - meaning the Leopards would go into half-time with only 11 men on the field. 

Halton’s yellow was the last notable action of the half, and the hooter sounded for the break with the score still Giants 0–14 Leopards.

The second-half could not have started better for the Giants, as they registered their first points of the game through Sam Hewitt, who powered his way over the line despite plenty of obstacles. Hewitt’s try made the score 4-14, but unfortunately for the Giants it would stay this way as the conversion was missed.

The Giants showed no signs of slowing down, as they were ultimately held up after a succession of line bursts. Not the extra 4 they were hoping for, but a momentum shift was definitely taking place.

They even maintained their spirited and impressive start to the second half at the other end of the field, as they kept out the sharp Zak Hardaker, and earned themselves a turnover.

As the Leopards began to regain their cautioned players, the Giants’ burst of momentum was beginning to fizzle out - but at least they had got themselves back in the game.

The spark looked to have been re-lit when Kevin Naiqama glided through and touched the ball down, however no try was firmly, and quickly, declared due to obstruction in the build up.

Fighting hard, the Giants were making steady progress in the middle period of the half, but were without any clinical end product to add anything to their tally. So was proven as the Giants were held up yet again, this time Ashton Golding was the man denied. Even with no points being added, the Giants were looking the stronger of the two sides, and were slowly starting to dominate the game.

Their domination looked to finally be rewarded, when Esan Marsters got over the line in the corner. However, despite his and his teammates’ celebrations, the video referee ruled it out as Marsters had ran around the back of one of his teammates in the build up - leading to ‘no try’ being put onto the big screen.

The Giants’ were eventually punished for their wasted opportunities, as a second Moylan kicked penalty extended the Leopards’ lead to 16-4 with less than 10 minutes to go.

With less than 5 minutes to go, the Giants’ determination in the second half was actually finally rewarded when Kevin Naiqama found himself running onto the end of a perfectly executed chip over the top by Adam Clune. Naiqama’s 6th Super League try this season, followed by Oliver Russell’s conversion, brought the score to Giants 10–16 Leopards.

Nerves were emerging from the Leopards’ players. Delay tactics were attempted by the visitors in excess, and were spotted by the referee, who showed a yellow card to Matt Moylan for his part.

Just as tension peaked, the Giants looked to be certain to capture what would have been a remarkable second half comeback as they moved the ball sharply across the line to Elliot Wallis in the corner. However, Wallis fumbled the ball, and gave the visitors vital possession with only seconds left on the clock.

Time ran out, meaning the Giants were now without a win in 5 games - despite a fantastic second half display, which featured plenty of courage and spirit. The Leopards now move within a point of the Giants in the Super League, and are now undefeated in 4 games.

The full-time score ended Giants 10–16 Leopards.

Giants Team: Lolohea, Halsall, Marsters, Naiqama, Wallis, Russell, Clune, Hill, Deakin, Yates, Munchie, Hewitt, Cudjoe

Interchanges: Golding, Ruston, Wilson, Ikahihifo, Bibby

Tries: Hewitt, Naiqama

Goals: Russell

Leigh Leopards Team: Hardaker, Hanley, Chamberlain, Leutele, Charnley, Moylan, Lam, Abone, Ipape, Mulhern, O’Donnell, Halton, Trout

Interchanges: Norman, Hughes, McIntosh, Dwyer, Baxter

Tries: Charnley, Ipape

Goals: Moylan x2

Penalties: Moylan x2

Attendance: 4385

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