logo
Joe Ofahengaue stars in Leigh's statement victory over St Helens

Joe Ofahengaue stars in Leigh's statement victory over St Helens

The Guardian17-07-2025
Leigh Leopards further underlined their position as bona fide Super League title contenders with another statement victory, this time winning at fourth-placed St Helens to close the gap further on the competition's top two.
A month ago, Leigh conceded 50 points at Leeds and with fixtures against the league leaders Hull KR, second-placed Wigan and the Saints on the horizon, it was not inconceivable to consider whether the Leopards could find themselves in a scramble just to make the play-offs in the final two months of the season.
However, they have won all three games to not only solidify their position inside the top six but mount an assault on Hull KR and Wigan above them. Adrian Lam's side are now just one point behind the Warriors and three behind the Robins after their first victory at St Helens since 1982.
Against a Saints side who themselves had aspirations of a top-two finish and a home semi-final in the play-offs having won five games in a row, Leigh were defensively meticulous and clinical when it mattered at the other end, with Joe Ofahengaue's second half try sealing another eye-catching win.
A Championship side just three years ago, Leigh have emerged as one of Super League's best clubs on and off the field and are firmly in the conversation for the Grand Final. The game has not had a first-time winner at Old Trafford since Leeds in 2004; suddenly, it is not outrageous to suggest the Leopards could end that wait.
The game had all the hallmarks of an early sighting of the play-offs. It was eye-wateringly intense from start to finish and you always felt that every point would be crucial. That was emphasised when the Leopards twice opted to kick penalties from the boot of Gareth O'Brien to take a four-point lead at half-time.
In contrast the Saints – who avoided being nilled at home for the first time in the Super League only through Harry Robertson's late consolation – opted to chance their arm and run the ball instead of taking kickable penalties. That proved to be fatal come full time, as their attack failed to muster anything significant to trouble a wonderful Leigh defensive effort.
The Leopards then struck a decisive blow midway through the second half. With the Saints still stuttering offensively, Edwin Ipape teed up for Ofahengaue, who barged through three defenders to touch down and give O'Brien a simple conversion to make it 10-0.
Could St Helens respond? In short, no. They continued to toil away without any success in attack, with Paul Wellens bizarrely opting to use only two of his interchanges all evening and keeping Jon Bennison and Leon Cowen on the bench.
Sign up to The Recap
The best of our sports journalism from the past seven days and a heads-up on the weekend's action
after newsletter promotion
And victory was assured in the final stages. After an error from Kyle Feldt the ball found its way to Ofahengaue, one of several magnificent recruits from the NRL in recent years that have transformed this club, and he crossed unchallenged to make it 16-0. Robertson's consolation with seconds left mattered little in terms of the outcome.
It was an historic evening on a number of fronts. Records are there to be broken – and perhaps a first league title since 1982 is now not out of the question for a club who were making up the numbers just a few short years ago.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Richard Keys calls for huge rule change in penalty shootouts - as controversial former Sky Sports star reveals the 'distinct advantage' given to the Lionesses during Euro 2025 triumph over Spain
Richard Keys calls for huge rule change in penalty shootouts - as controversial former Sky Sports star reveals the 'distinct advantage' given to the Lionesses during Euro 2025 triumph over Spain

Daily Mail​

time24 minutes ago

  • Daily Mail​

Richard Keys calls for huge rule change in penalty shootouts - as controversial former Sky Sports star reveals the 'distinct advantage' given to the Lionesses during Euro 2025 triumph over Spain

Richard Keys believes there should be a major change in the rules over penalty shootouts - arguing the Lionesses had a 'distinct advantage' in their Euro 2025 shootout win. The former Sky Sports presenter, who now works for beIN, thinks there is an unfair advantage given to the side who are taking spot kicks in front of their own fans. The Lionesses won the toss after extra time against Spain in the final of Euro 2025 on Sunday, selecting the penalties to take place at the end in front of England supporters. Keys wrote on X: 'Pens in front of your own fans is a distinct advantage. We should take them at both ends but for now - Come on England.' The current rules are that there are two coin tosses before penalties, one to decide which end they are taken and another to see which side will go first. If Keys' idea to have penalties taken at both ends came to fruition, it may even the balance but alter the spectacle, with attention split between two halves and those on the halfway line turning to watch each time. The Lionesses held off Spain in extra time to reach the lottery of the shootout having cancelled out Mariona Caldentey's opener with Alessia Russo's second-half header. Beth Mead thought she had scored the first goal of the penalties for England but double-kicked the ball as she slipped. She had to retake it and saw her effort saved to give Spain the advantage but it mattered little in the end. Hannah Hampton saved twice and Salma Paralluelo dragged wide of the post before Chloe Kelly stepped up to smash the winner and confirm England as back-to-back European champions. It seems unlikely that Keys' penalty idea will be adopted and he is no stranger to a controversial opinion on X. The broadcaster, earlier this year claimed Man United boss Ruben Amorim was 'trying' to get sacked. He also hinted that Kelly Cates and Gabby Logan both owe their successful careers to him in astonishing rant after they were lined up as part of the trio, along with Mark Chapman, to present Match of the Day. Writing in his blog, he posted: 'Congrats to Kelly Cates on her new job. I'm proud of her but not surprised. Success has many fathers and I'm sure there'll be a few people lining up to take credit for her career, but Kelly, Kenny and me know the truth. 'Kenny and I once fell out about her getting a job at Sky. "It meant she didn't finish Uni" he said to me. "No" I replied. "But you asked me to get her a job". Her dad is a man of many contradictions – but that one was a belter. I'm not holding my breath expecting he'll call now to apologise. 'Kelly is good. Very good. But I'm still surprised she's making the move. There's nothing like presenting live football. I would never have made that decision. Highlights shows are deadly dull. 'MotD desperately needs fresh blood, but I'm not sure it will survive for very much longer. Eventually Grandstand died for similar reasons – the march of time.' Keys and former colleague Andy Gray left their roles with Sky after a series of sexist conversations were picked up and leaked in January 2011 when they thought their microphones were off. Both Keys and Gray left the UK and are the face of Premier League coverage across the Middle East and North Africa with beIN Sports.

Gossip: Ipswich waiting on Hackney to seal move
Gossip: Ipswich waiting on Hackney to seal move

BBC News

time25 minutes ago

  • BBC News

Gossip: Ipswich waiting on Hackney to seal move

Ipswich Town have struck a deal with Middlesbrough for 23-year-old midfielder Hayden Hackney worth up to £20m but now await an agreement from the England Under-21 international to complete the move. (EFL Analysis), externalWrexham are prepared to make a £7m bid for Wales forward Nathan Broadhead but his current club Ipswich are not looking to sell the 27-year-old this summer. (Sky Sports), externalWant more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Wednesday's gossip column here.

Lionesses announce first Wembley fixture since Euro 2025 triumph
Lionesses announce first Wembley fixture since Euro 2025 triumph

The Independent

time25 minutes ago

  • The Independent

Lionesses announce first Wembley fixture since Euro 2025 triumph

European champions England have announced they will play China, the champions of Asia, at Wembley in November as the Lionesses turn their attention towards the 2027 Women's World Cup. England celebrated their Euro 2025 triumph with a memorable homecoming outside Buckingham Palace on Tuesday but Sarina Wiegman is already looking ahead to the start of England's World Cup qualifying campaign. The Lionesses will play China at Wembley on Saturday 29 November, in their third match at the national stadium this year. England also played at Wembley for the wins over Spain and Portugal before the Euros. England will arrange fixtures for the international window in October, while details of a second November game have also yet to be announced. England played China during the group stages of the 2023 World Cup, winning 6-1. 'After an incredible month and the celebrations this week, we are already planning ahead,' England manager Wiegman said. 'It will be special to have a final visit to Wembley this year and something for us all to look forward to once the new season starts. 'Even though we have just finished the Euro, our World Cup qualifiers are not too far away. There are not many opportunities for us to play non-European opposition in the calendar, so I am happy we have been able to secure a top Asian side like China for this Fifa window. 'I'm sure China will give us a very different game to what we experienced in Australia. Whenever we face a squad where most of the players are based away from Europe or the United States, it is a new challenge. And with the start of the qualification campaign soon approaching, this will be valuable experience with the 2027 World Cup in mind.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store