Saints were beaten 12-10 by Leigh at the Halliwell Jones Stadium earlier on this afternoon.
😇 Here's how The Saints line-up for @TheChallengeCup Semi-Final!
Makinson & Ritson are 🔙 on the wings, Lussick starts at #9, and Davies comes into the team on the bench
Come. On. You. Saints.
Live Match Centre ⬇#COYS | #HistoryInTheMaking
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) July 22, 2023
After a close opening first 20 minutes of the gap, the video referee was called upon for a Saints try. Joey Lussick went for one from dummy half to the left of the Leigh sticks and grounded the ball. The video referee agreeing with the referees view of try. The returning Tommy Makinson adding the extras, 0-6 Saints led.
💪 Powering over for the open try of the contest!
😇 The Saints take a 6-0 lead in Warrington…
📺 BBC One
🏆 #ChallengeCup pic.twitter.com/RSLWWUzpvE— Betfred Challenge Cup (@TheChallengeCup) July 22, 2023
Saints went close again soon after. A flowing move from left to right with the Red V camped on the Leigh line ended with Makinson trying a spectacular finish in the corner. However, he was ruled to have dropped the ball as he went to ground it.
With the final play of the first half, Saints were awarded a penalty as Leigh got caught offside. Makinson went for two, but his effort went wide of the sticks, so Saints led 0-6 at the break in Warrington.
⏸ Saints lead by six at the break in @TheChallengeCup Semi-Final.#COYS | #HistoryInTheMaking
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) July 22, 2023
Leigh levelled the game almost instantly in the second half. Lachlan Lam put Oliver Holmes through a gap and he broke away to score in the corner. Ben Reynolds added the extras, 6-6 the sides were tied.
Saints went close to re-taking the lead as Jack Welsby found Makinson, but the wing slipped and was pushed into touch.
Leigh then took the lead. A kick to the corner bounced and found its way to Zak Hardaker who grounded it, despite Tee Ritson appearing to have been pushed in the process. Reynolds missed the kick, 10-6.
Sione Mata’utia was then sent to the sin bin for a late shot. Reynolds added the penalty, 12-6 the Leopards led. Saints lost Agnatius Paasi to a knee injury shortly after too.
Saints grabbed a try with less than two minutes to go. Saints threw it about and Jonny Lomax broke through a gap before reaching over to score. Makinson missed the conversion attempt, 12-10 Leigh led.
That was the final action of the game, as Saints missed out on the Betfred Challenge Cup Final after suffering a 12-10 defeat against Leigh Leopards at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
⏹ Leigh Leopards edge out the Saints by two points in the Challenge Cup Semi-Final.#COYS | #HistoryInTheMaking
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) July 22, 2023
Match Summary
Leigh Leopards Team: Gareth O’Brien, Tom Briscoe, Zak Hardaker, Ed Chamberlain, Josh Charnley, Ben Reynolds, Lachlan Lam, Robbie Mulhern, Edwin Ipape, Tom Amone, Jack Hughes, Oliver Holmes, John Asiata.
Interchanges: Matt Davis, Ben Nakubuwai, Joe Mellor, Nathan Wilde.
18th Man: Ava Seumanufagai.
Tries: Oliver Holmes (20), Zak Hardaker (55)
Conversions: Ben Reynolds (1 from 2)
Penalties: Ben Reynolds (1 from 1)
Saints Team: Jack Welsby, Tommy Makinson, Konrad Hurrell, Will Hopoate, Tee Ritson, Jonny Lomax, Lewis Dodd, Alex Walmsley, Joey Lussick, Matty Lees, Sione Mata’utia, James Bell, Morgan Knowles.
Interchanges: Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Agnatius Paasi, Ben Davies, George Delaney.
18th Man: Sam Royle.
Tries: Joey Lussick (19), Jonny Lomax (78)
Conversions: Tommy Makinson (1 from 1)
Penalties: Tommy Makinson (0 from 1)
Sin Bins: Sione Mata’utia (61)
HT: 0-6
FT: 12-10
Attendance: 12113
