Leigh Leopards ease past Wakefield to reach semi-finals

Leigh Leopards 26 - 10 Wakefield Trinity 

Leigh Leopards brushed past Wakefield Trinity in the opening Super League play-off eliminator to secure their spot in the semi-finals.

Author | Amy W

Stadium | Leigh Sports Village 

The hosts, who finished nine points clear of Trinity in the regular season, seized control in the first half as tries from Keanan Brand, Isaac Liu and Josh Charnley opened up an 18-0 lead at the break.

Jayden Myers struck back early in the second half to give Wakefield a glimmer of hope, but a Gareth O'Brien penalty and Alec Tuitavake's try left Cameron Scott’s superb solo effort little more than consolation.

Victory sets up a short semi-final trip to second-placed Wigan as Leigh chase a first-ever Grand Final appearance. The Leopards were aiming for back-to-back semi-final spots, while Trinity marked their first play-off campaign in 13 years after a strong return to Super League.

Daryl Powell’s side had triumphed 40-14 on their last visit to the Leopards Den and almost made the perfect start when Josh Griffin charged down O'Brien’s opening clearance kick, only to spill the ball with the tryline beckoning. That proved as close as they came in the first half, compounded by the early loss of second rower Matty Storton to injury.

Leigh soon broke through, crisp handling creating space for Umyla Hanley to send Brand in at the right edge for his seventh try in four games. Wakefield’s defensive line absorbed sustained pressure but finally buckled under Liu’s powerful surge before Lachlan Lam helped set up Charnley to score in the corner.

Wakefield struck after the interval when Mason Lino’s high kick ricocheted kindly, allowing Myers to finish spectacularly in the corner. Yet an error from the restart handed O’Brien a penalty, and Tuitavake’s score on the hour mark sealed the contest.

Scott’s dazzling late try from halfway gave Trinity something to cheer, but it was Leigh who marched into the semi-finals with momentum firmly on their side.