Leigh Leopards Secure Back-to-Back Wins with 24-10 Victory Over Huddersfield Giants
A Strong Start to the Season for Leigh Leopards
The Leigh Leopards have made a stellar start to their Super League campaign, securing their second consecutive victory with a 24-10 triumph over the Huddersfield Giants. This win follows their historic 1-0 golden-point victory against Wigan in the opening round, showcasing the team’s growing confidence and resilience. The match, held at the Leigh Sports Village, was a thrilling encounter that saw the Leopards dominate the second half after a tightly contested first period.
First-Half Highlights: Leigh and Huddersfield Battle for Supremacy
The game began with Leigh taking an early lead through a stunning try by winger Keanan Brand. Brand raced onto a looping pass from Lachlan Lam on the right touchline, touching down in the corner for an unconverted score. Huddersfield responded with a try of their own, as Oliver Wilson capitalized on a grubber kick by Zachary Woolford, with George Flanagan converting the try and later extending the Giants’ lead to 8-4 with a penalty. Leigh fought back, with Gareth O’Brien converting a penalty on the stroke of halftime to reduce the deficit to 8-6.
Leigh’s Second-Half Surge Seals the Victory
The second half saw Leigh assert their dominance, with full-back David Armstrong making a breakthrough. Armstrong showcased his blistering pace, cutting through a gap and outsprinting the Huddersfield cover to score an unconverted try. Leigh continued to press, with Gareth O’Brien successfully kicking a penalty to edge Leigh into a 12-10 lead. The Leopards further extended their advantage when Matt Davis barged over by the posts, with O’Brien adding the extras to make it 18-10.
Key Performances: Armstrong and Niu Shine
The match was also notable for the first Super League tries of Leigh duo David Armstrong and Tesi Niu. Armstrong’s pace and composure were instrumental in turning the game in Leigh’s favor, while Niu’s try sealed the victory late in the game. Niu, sent over by Armstrong, touched down unopposed, and O’Brien’s conversion stretched the lead to 24-10. These performances highlight the depth of talent in the Leigh squad and suggest a promising season ahead.
Huddersfield’s Struggles Continue
Despite a spirited performance, Huddersfield struggled to build on their first-half lead. The Giants showed flashes of promise, particularly in the opening 40 minutes, but were ultimately outclassed by a more cohesive and confident Leigh side. Huddersfield’s inability to capitalize on their early advantage and their defensive lapses in the second half proved costly. The team will need to address these issues if they are to turn their season around.
The Future of Super League: Live and Exclusive on Sky Sports
As the Super League continues to captivate fans, Sky Sports remains the go-to destination for live coverage of every game this season. With two matches per round broadcast exclusively live and the remaining four available on Sky Sports+, fans can enjoy unparalleled access to the action. Leigh’s victory over Huddersfield is just one of many exciting encounters that will unfold in what promises to be a thrilling Super League season.
