Leigh Leopards 20 Leeds Rhinos 6

Leeds Rhinos suffered their first defeat to Leigh in the Super League era as Adrian Lam’s resurgent Leopards defeated the Rhinos 20-6 at Leigh Sports Village. 

Both teams came into the game on the back of wins but it was Leigh who started the brightest. Former Wigan and Warrington flyer Josh Charnley caused damage in the Leeds defence when he carried the ball powerfully early on. Myler managed to stop the initial break but a reverse kick from Lachlan Lam wrong footed the Leeds defence and hooker Edwin Ipape was on hand to pick up the loose ball and touch down after just three minutes. Ben Reynolds kicked the conversion to give his side the perfect start. 

Six minutes later Leigh increased their lead when Kai O’Donnell charged his way through the Leeds defence. Reynolds was unable to convert this time but Leigh were good value for their 10-0 lead. 

The Rhinos had a couple of half chances, most notably from testing high kicks by Blake Austin, but they were unable to capitalise. Myler then stopped a certain try as Charnley broke clear and he was able to stretch out a finger to knock the last pass down. 

However, Ipape did then scored his second try of the game with a trademark barge from dummy half close to the line. Reynolds added the conversion to give Leigh a 16-0 lead. 

The Rhinos steadied the ship after that with James Bentley, Justin Sangare and Tom Holroyd giving the visitors some go forward after coming off the bench. 

Just as the first half was drawing to the close, Leeds gave themselves a lifeline. Nene Macdonald, up against his former club, produced a brilliant one on one strip to get the ball back for the Rhinos and then, two tackles later, Bentley took Austin’s pass to score. Rhyse Martin added the conversion as the hooter sounded to cut the gap to 16-6 at the break. 

Leeds were forced into a change at half time when Aidan Sezer was forced off with a leg injury and was replaced by Liam Tindall. Myler moved into the halves with Ash Handley at full back. 

Defensively Leeds were in much better shape but the second half was error strewn for both teams as Leigh looked to hold their lead and the Rhinos seemed impatient to build an attack at the Leopards line. 

Leigh had control of the scoreboard and they kicked a penalty just after the hour mark to stretch their lead and then with time running out Reynolds kicked a second penalty that crucially was responsible for taking Leigh above Leeds on points difference after ten rounds and before the international break.