Leigh missed the prospect to maneuver second within the Betfred Tremendous League as play-off rivals Leeds got here from behind for a hard-fought 22-14 win on Thursday.
Early tries from Umyla Hanley and Keanan Model put the Leopards in management early on at Leigh Sports activities Village, however Leeds hit again to steer after Lachlan Miller and Sam Lisone scored.
James Bentley prolonged the benefit however Model’s second put the outcome within the steadiness till Brodie Croft claimed Leeds’ fourth strive within the closing minutes.
Victory lifted the Rhinos as much as fourth and saved them within the chase for a top-two spot, which earns an automated semi-final place.
Leeds began strongly and thought they’d drawn first blood when Croft dived onto a Lachlan Miller kick to the touch down.
The strive was awarded on the sector however overturned by the video referee, robbing the Rhinos of their early momentum.
Leigh took benefit and claimed the lead themselves as Hanley broke by means of the guests’ defence and powered over within the nook from a Lachlan Lam go.
The Leopards utilized additional stress after Chris Hankinson, making his debut after leaving crisis-hit Salford, was compelled into contact. Lam arrange one other strive with a looping go out vast for Model.
Play shifted again in Leeds’ favour after Jake Connor pegged Leigh again with a 40-20 kick halfway by means of the primary half.
A powerful spell of stress finally yielded a Rhinos strive as Miller created area and darted to the road.
Keanan Model of Leigh celebrating his strive with Lachlan Lam of Leigh
Leigh invited additional issues as Bailey Hodgson spilled a excessive kick. Lisone made the hosts pay as he barged over from shut vary and, with Connor touchdown the primary conversion of the sport, Leeds led 10-8 on the interval.
They prolonged that benefit quickly after the break as Connor picked out Harry Newman with one other high-quality kick and his fast launch despatched Bentley underneath the posts.
Connor added the extras however Leigh roused themselves and pulled again inside two factors as Model discovered his manner over for his second in the fitting and Gareth O’Brien transformed.
James Bentley of Leeds scoring a strive
The hosts pressed for a winner late on however had been denied by the video referee when a Hodgson effort was dominated out for obstruction.
Josh Charnley additionally spurned a golden likelihood to attain when he didn’t take a Lam kick and Leeds made the many of the reprieve.
Croft put the outcome past doubt with simply over three minutes remaining when he raced in from a Miller go and Connor added his third objective.
Watch each Tremendous League sport this season reside on Sky Sports activities – together with two matches in every spherical solely reside, with the remaining 4 matches every week proven on Sky Sports activities+ through the pink button.
