Leigh Leopards produced a shock at Headingley, beating Super League leaders Leeds Rhinos 20-16 to hand the Rhinos their first home defeat of the season.
Innes Senior scored twice in the first half, either side of Josh Charnley’s try which cancelled out Ryan Hall’s early opener for Leeds. Brodie Croft also crossed before half-time to give the Rhinos the lead, but Umyla Hanley’s second-half try — finished after slick Leigh handling and converted by Cook — proved decisive.
The match was played in heavy, draining heat. Leeds thought they had rescued a draw in the final moments when Hall appeared to score in the corner, but the video referee showed his foot was in touch and the try was ruled out. Leigh held firm under intense late pressure to secure a deserved victory.
Key moments: Hall opened the scoring from Jake Connor’s quick pass, but Charnley replied after a Hanley break. Connor added a penalty after a shoulder barge on Kallum Watkins to nudge Leeds 8-6 in front, before Senior’s first touchdown put Leigh 10-8 up after the video referee confirmed he grounded the ball before going out. Croft’s burrowing try under the posts restored a 14-10 Leeds advantage, but Senior’s second before half-time made it 14-14.
After the break Connor added another penalty, but Leigh’s handling produced Hanley’s try to make it 20-16. Leigh were reduced to 12 men when second-rower Andy Badrock was sin-binned for a dangerous tackle on Harry Newman with 17 minutes remaining, yet the visitors’ scrambling defence repelled repeated Leeds attacks.
Leeds centre Jack Bird left for a head injury assessment and was replaced by teenager Zak Lloyd, whose last-ditch tackle briefly kept Charnley at bay. The result leaves Leeds vulnerable at the top; Wigan can draw level on 36 points when they visit Bradford. The win keeps Leigh on course for the play-offs as they solidify sixth place and move six points clear of St Helens.
Warrington 30-10 York
Warrington Wolves moved back up to third with a 30-10 home win over York Knights. York struck first through Paul McShane, but Josh Thewlis and a returning Sam Stone, plus a fine individual try from 18-year-old Ewan Irwin, put Warrington in control. Irwin’s long break was briefly subject to a lengthy review, but Warrington extended their lead through Danny Walker and Aaron Lindop, with Irwin adding a late penalty to finish the scoring.
Hull KR 28-10 Catalans Dragons
Hull KR secured a comfortable win to boost their play-off hopes, leading 22-6 at the break thanks to two Jack Broadbent tries and scores from Jez Litten and Joe Burgess. Tyrone May sealed the result early in the second half and Catalans’ Tommy Makinson added a late consolation. The victory keeps Hull ahead of Leigh on points difference and within a couple of points of the top-four pack.
Super League Round 23 results (selected)
Thursday August 13: Hull KR 28-10 Catalans Dragons; Leeds Rhinos 16-20 Leigh Leopards; Warrington Wolves 30-10 York Knights.
Friday August 14: Hull FC vs Castleford Tigers (8pm).
Saturday August 15: Wakefield Trinity vs St Helens (5.30pm); Bradford Bulls vs Wigan Warriors (6.30pm); Toulouse Olympique vs Huddersfield Giants (8pm).
Leigh’s win at Headingley was a statement result: a well-drilled away side with resilience under pressure, and a setback for Leeds as the run-in intensifies.