Marc Bazeley
Edwin Ipape and Umyla Hanley each cross for Leigh Leopards within the first half, whereas Zak Hardaker kicks three targets; Salford Pink Devils have each Ethan Ryan and Brad Singleton sin-binned; watch all of Sunday’s matches of Magic Weekend 2024 reside on Sky Sports activities Motion
Final Up to date: 18/08/24 3:40pm
Zak Hardaker’s 14-point haul helped Leigh Leopards preserve their Betfred Tremendous League play-off hopes alive as they beat Salford Pink Devils 20-0 within the opening recreation of day two of Magic Weekend at Elland Street.
Tries from Edwin Ipape and Umyla Hanley, each of which have been transformed by full-back Hardaker, helped the Leopards right into a 12-0 lead at half time, with the Pink Devils being all the way down to 11 at one level after having Ethan Ryan and Brad Singleton despatched to the sin bin in fast succession.
It proved a a lot closer-fought affair after the break, however Hardaker, who additionally added a penalty, and Ricky Leutele’s transformed scores within the closing levels put the seal on an important victory for the Leopards over one of many sides above them heading into Magic Weekend.
The win strikes Leigh to inside three factors of Salford and a top-six spot which might safe a spot within the play-offs for the second 12 months operating, with 5 matches of the Tremendous League common season remaining.
Story of the sport
The Pink Devils had made a constructive begin to the competition, however Ryan Brierley being penalised for making an attempt to play on after referee Liam Moore deemed a sort out on the full-back to have been accomplished arrange a spell on the offensive for Leigh from which they took the lead.
It was Papua New Guinea worldwide Ipape who acquired the Leopards up and operating with a trademark burst out of dummy-half, adopted by crashing by means of the line of defense to complete beneath the posts and provides Hardaker a easy conversion.
Salford instantly exerted stress on Leigh from the restart as they pressured a goal-line drop-out but have been unable to capitalise after which discovered themselves a participant down briefly on 12 minutes after winger Ryan was despatched to the sin bin for a excessive sort out on Ricky Leutele.
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Salford’s Ethan Ryan and Brad Singleton have been sin-binned for prime tackles in fast succession in opposition to Leigh.
5 minutes later, 12 turned 11 as prop Singleton was proven a yellow card after catching Gareth O’Brien across the neck, and the Leopards quickly exploited the gaps for his or her second attempt as Hanley burst by means of two tackles and grabbed a high quality solo transformed attempt halfway by means of the half.
Salford started to claw their method again into the competition after they have been ultimately restored to their full complement, though that they had a attainable attempt from Tim Lafai three minutes earlier than half time dominated out by the video referee for a knock-on within the build-up.
A penalty for a late hit on Gareth O’Brien by Oliver Partington allowed Hardaker so as to add one other two factors to Leigh’s tally from a kick at aim six minutes into the second half.
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Umyla Hanley breaks by means of the defence of a stretched eleven-man Salford crew to increase Leigh’s lead.
It then took to very good last-ditch defence from Pink Devils interchange participant Chris Hankinson, on for Salford talisman Brierley, to forestall O’Brien from including a 3rd attempt simply earlier than the hour mark.
Hardaker, who will depart the Leopards for Hull FC on the finish of the 2024 marketing campaign together with captain John Asiata, made sure of the win eight minutes from time as he took a go from Ipape after the hooker had damaged the road after which raced away to complete.
There was nonetheless time for centre Leutele so as to add some additional gloss to the ultimate rating when he completed extensive on the left within the 77th minute, adopted by Hardaker maintaining his good report for the day with the boot.
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Edwin Ipape breaks to ship Zak Hardaker over to safe Leigh’s win over Salford at Elland Street.
What they mentioned
Leigh Leopards participant of the match Zak Hardaker:
“I think for the last four or five weeks we started pretty well. The two sin bins helped us.
“It’s a huge assertion. If we play nearly as good as we will do we will problem each crew.
“We are under no illusion that we need to win the rest of our games to finish top six.”
Zak Hardaker added a attempt to 5 targets in Leigh’s Magic Weekend win over Salford at Elland Street.
Salford Pink Devils head coach Paul Rowley:
“I didn’t think we executed well at all. I don’t think we had our best game – credit to Leigh.
“I believed it was going to be the straightforward issues in the present day. It did not must be something magic.
“We will bounce back, don’t worry about that. We are not going to give in.”
What’s subsequent?
Leigh Leopards are again in motion on Sunday August 25 after they journey to London Broncos (3pm). Salford Pink Devils play their Spherical 23 match the day earlier than after they host Huddersfield Giants (5.30pm). Each matches are reside on Sky Sports activities+.
How can I watch Magic Weekend?
Each match of the weekend will likely be proven reside on Sky Sports activities Motion throughout the weekend and will likely be obtainable to stream on NOW.
Watch each match of the 2024 Betfred Tremendous League season, together with the play-offs and males’s, girls’s and wheelchair Grand Finals, reside on Sky Sports activities and Sky Sports activities+. Additionally stream Tremendous League, the NRL and extra from Sky Sports activities with NOW.
