Joe Ofahengaue scored two tries as Leigh Leopards secured a statement 14-6 victory over St Helens, their first win at the Totally Wicked Stadium in over 40 years. The result moves Leigh to within one point of second-placed Wigan and three behind league leaders Hull KR, cementing their status as genuine Super League title contenders.
Leigh's journey from the Championship to the top of Super League is a remarkable story. Three years ago to the day, they were beating Dewsbury Rams in the second tier. Now, under coach Adrian Lam, they are in the mix for a first league title since 1982. Lam praised his side's performance: 'We've worked really hard on performances like that. It's been a tough month but we've been fantastic. We're so connected as a group, which I love.'
The match was a tight, playoff-like affair, with Leigh leading 4-0 at half-time through two Gareth O'Brien penalties. The first try came in the final quarter when Ofahengaue cut through on an angle, and O'Brien converted to make it 10-0. Ofahengaue's second try with five minutes left sealed the win, with Harry Robertson's late consolation try sparing St Helens from being nilled at home in the Super League era for the first time.
St Helens coach Paul Wellens acknowledged Leigh's deserved victory: 'I thought on the balance of play, Leigh deserved that victory. This was a timely reminder that we've still got some work to do.' The defeat was a setback for St Helens, who had hoped to close the gap on the top two.
Leigh's recent form has been impressive, with wins over Hull KR, Wigan, and now St Helens, after a heavy defeat to Leeds a month ago. They are now firmly in the picture for a top-two finish, which would bring a week off and a home semi-final in the playoffs.
