Saints avenged their defeat in the Semi-Finals of the Challenge Cup with a 22-12 victory over Leigh on Friday evening!

Despite Saints dominating the early stages, it was the visitors who went ahead. The ball went through the hands quick from right to left and Gareth O’Brien put Oliver Gildart over in the far corner. Ben Reynolds converted, 0-6 the visitors led.

Saints responded in style. Mark Percival’s pass set Tommy Makinson away down the wing, he found the supporting Jonny Lomax on his inside who found Joe Batchelor, he then found Makinson again alone on the wing, to stroll over for our first score of the game. Percival levelled the scores, 6-6.

The hosts thought they had got the ball back in the Leigh ten after Matty Lees pushed O’Brien into touch after collecting a kick, but the referee awarded a penalty to Leigh as he ruled the tackle had already been completed.

Another chance soon followed. Lomax put a great kick in which bounced into the Leigh in-goal area, but the visitors won the race to the loose ball and got trapped in-goal. The following set resulted in another Lomax grubber into the Leigh in-goal, but O’Brien pushed the ball out before George Delaney could get to it. The Leopards were forced to dropout again.

Despite the Red V dominating most of the opening 40 minutes, the sides went into half-time level at the Totally Wicked Stadium.

Leigh started the second half much better. An attack down their right edge saw Zak Hardaker throw a dummy before heading towards the line, but he was pushed into touch by a scrambling Saints defence as he attempted to get the ball down.

Saints thought they had re-taken the lead soon the following set. Lewis Dodd’s high kick was fumbled by O’Brien under pressure, James Roby got the ball and headed for the line before offloading right to Makinson on the wing, he then dove through a tackle to ground the ball. The video referee agreed with the on-field decision of try, Makinson had his second try of the evening. Percival converted, 12-6.

Shortly after the try, it was announced Delaney had failed his HIA, and would not be returning to the game. It will also rule him out of next Friday’s trip to Warrington.

Third third Red V try soon followed. A move from right to left ended with Dodd finding Lomax, who threw a dummy below diving over the line unopposed. Percival missed the conversion, 16-6 we led.

The deficit was then reduced. Edwin Ipape broke through the middle before being grabbed back, he was able to offload to Rob Mulhern who went over under the posts. Reynolds converted from in front of the sticks, 16-12.

Saints had a chance to increase the lead just after the restart. Leigh moved the ball right and Hardaker knocked on deep inside his own half. Saints switched right and Welsby tried to find Percival, but the ball was juggled forward and Leigh survived.

With just under ten minutes to go, the video referee was called into action again. Ben Davies cut inside and kicked ahead for himself, but was taken out in the process. Despite that, they ruled 20 metre restart for the Leopards, as the ball went out following Davies’ kick.

With six minutes to go, the video referee was once again called into action. Saints went left but the ball went to ground and Tom Briscoe picked it up before racing the other way to score in the corner. However, the decision went in Saints’ favour, as the Leopards had dropped the ball earlier on in the move.

Saints then went close again. Dodd’s high kick was claimed by Welsby, who span towards the line but was held up just short.

With three minutes to go, another trip upstairs. James Bell drove from the line and was able to offload to ball to Batchelor who dove over from close range. The referee agreed with the on-field decision of try, Saints had a two-score lead as we entered the final two minutes. Percival added an extra two points, 22-12.

That was the final score of the game, as Saints made it seven wins in a row with a victory over the Leopards at the Totally Wicked Stadium!

Match Summary

Saints Team: Jack Welsby, Tommy Makinson, Mark Percival, Ben Davies, Jon Bennison, Jonny Lomax, Lewis Dodd, Matty Lees, James Roby, Morgan Knowles, Joe Batchelor, Sione Mata’utia, James Bell.

Interchanges: Sam Royle, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, George Delaney, Moses Mbye.

18th Man: Tee Ritson.

Tries: Tommy Makinson (18, 51), Jonny Lomax (58), Joe Batchelor (77)

Conversions: Mark Percival (3 from 4)

Leigh Leopards Team: Gareth O’Brien, Tom Briscoe, Ed Chamberlain, Zak Hardaker, Oliver Gildart, Ben Reynolds, Lachlan Lam, Tom Amone, Edwin Ipape, Rob Mulhern, Kai O’Donnell, Jack Hughes, Matt Davis.

Interchanges: Joe Mellor, Joe Wardle, Ben Nakubuwai, Frankie Halton.

18th Man: Oliver Holmes.

Tries: Oliver Gildart (10), Rob Mulhern (64)

Conversions: Ben Reynolds (2 from 2)

HT: 6-6

FT: 22-12

Attendance: 13,428

Take a look at your FREE Matchday Programme, click the image below!

In our Round 25 and Heritage Celebration edition of Saints & Proud, the Saints faithful can read:

• Exclusive: THE BIG READ with Sione Mata’utia
• A tribute to the late Eric Prescott
• Match reports from our wins over Wakefield & Castleford
• Head Coach Paul Wellens’ column ahead of the game
• Saints 150: The early origins of the Saints
• Chairman Eamonn McManus pens his matchday column
• Plus much more!

Saints Line up

1 Jack Welsby
2 Tommy Makinson
4 Mark Percival
21 Ben Davies
5 Jonathan Bennison
6 Jonny Lomax
7 Lewis Dodd
10 Matty Lees
James Roby
13 Morgan Knowles
11 Sione Mata’utia
12 Joe Batchelor
15 James Bell
15 Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook
22 Sam Royle
20 George Delaney
14 Moses Mbye

Leigh Leopards Line up

17Gareth O'Brien
2Tom Briscoe
3Ed Chamberlain
1Zak Hardaker
31Oliver Gildart
15Ben Reynolds
7Lachlan Lam
8Tom Amone
9Edwin Ipape
10Robbie Mulhern
24Kai O'Donnell
12Jack Hughes
18Matt Davis
6Joe Mellor
11Joe Wardle
14Ben Nakubuwai
29Frankie Halton

Last updated 8 Sep 23 21:56:18

FT

🙌 The Saints make it seven wins in a row at our Heritage Celebration!

PLAY UP ST HELENS 👊

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78'
Goal
Mark Percival for Saints

Percival adds the twooo! ✌

😇 22-12 🐆

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77'
Try
Joe Batchelor for Saints

THAT WILL DO IT! 💪

WAKA WAKA! We drive close to the line and Joe Batchelor finishes it off!

😇 20-12 🐆

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76'

Saints almost score off a small Dodd chip, Welsby caught it and looked to ground it but he’s just short of the line.

Saints follow that up with great intent and force an error inside the Leigh 10m! COME ON NOW!

😇

74'

Leigh think they have a winner off Briscoe getting on a loose ball, but after a video ref check it’s ruled out. Saints ball, 35m out from our own line.

😇 16-12 🐆

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73'

Bodies are flying everywhere as Leigh throw it about, but Saints scramble and stop them.

😇 16-12 🐆

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71'

On the last with Leigh pinned on their own line, Davies dabs a small kick into the in-goal and looks to be taken off the ball. Video ref called upon.

😇 16-12 🐆

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71'

On the last with Leigh pinned on their own line, Davies dabs a small kick into the in-goal and looks to be taken off the ball. Video ref called upon.

😇 16-12 🐆

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69'

Following a tackle by the halfway line, O’Brien stays down and is shown a green card.

😇 16-12 🐆

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67'

Hardaker in a tackle knocks on by his own 20. Saints quickly try to go left but Percival runs onto a pass too strong.

😇 16-12 🐆

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66'
Goal
Ben Reynolds for Leigh Leopards

Kick added by Reynolds.

😇 16-12 🐆

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64'
Try
Robbie Mulhern for Leigh Leopards

65′: Leigh hit back. Ipape in the middle gets a break, as he’s tackled by Welsby he passes to Mulhern who scores.

😇 16-10 🐆

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64'

Fantastic scramble defence from the Saints forces the visitors to knock on as they moved closer to the line.

🔄 LMS and Roby off, Bell and Knowles come on.

😇 16-6 🐆

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62'

Strong defence from Leigh keeps Saints just in their own half, but Roby leads the race to make the tackle on the catcher.

😇 16-6 🐆

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60'

60′: Percival pulls the kick wide this time.

😇 16-6 🐆

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58'
Try
Jonny Lomax for Saints

J-LO!!! 🙌 Jonny Lomax on the move to the left dummies and then cuts in to score! BEAUTY!

😇 16-6 🐆

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56'

Percival on the right-edge cuts a great line and goes close, we pass it around on the last before being stopped by the visitors.

😇 12-6 🐆

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54'

James Roby rolling back the years with a line break! Saints go close but a Dodd kick on the last is taken well by Gareth O’Brien.

😇 12-6 🐆

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52'
Goal
Mark Percival for Saints

From the sidelines! Get in Percy!

😇 12-6 🐆

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51'
Try
Tommy Makinson for Saints

51′: TOMMMMMY! A high ball by Dodd is chased strongly by Saints, we force the ball loose and Roby runs and fires a pass out towards Makinson who goes in at the corner!

😇 10-6 🐆

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50'

Saints force Briscoe out into touch! 💪

😇 6-6 🐆

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49'

Leigh at a scrum stop the ball playing out and catch Saints offside. Another scrum, 25m out for Leopards.

😇 6-6 🐆

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47'

Hardaker hunts by the right corner but Saints somehow keep him away from scoring and hold him up.

😇 6-6 🐆

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46'

Welsby goes for a huge pass out to our left but Hardaker gets it, we compound the issue with a high shot by Mata’utia.

😇 6-6 🐆

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44'

Saints from a kick are judged offside giving Leigh a penalty, the visitors have us back on our own line but Percival cuts down a man to stop them.

😇 6-6 🐆

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Back underway!

😇 6-6 🐆

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HT

⏸ All square at a fiery Totally Wicked Stadium

😇 6-6 🐆

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40'

A massive let off for Leigh at the hooter, LMS off a short ball sprint to the line and before he can play the ball is kept down before the half ends.

😇 6-6 🐆

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38'

James Bell is giving his everything today, leading the tackles and we force a Leigh error.

😇 6-6 🐆

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37'

Saints can’t make their sustained pressure pay this time, a low pass goes to Dodd but he knocks on.

😇 6-6 🐆

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35'

Dodd floats one which O’Brien catches but Batchelor is there for an immediate tackle just out of the in-goal.

😇 6-6 🐆

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33'

Lomax again hunting for a try off a kick, the Leopards clear it out this time for another GLDO.

😇 6-6 🐆

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32'

Lomax on the run dinks a small kick from Batchelor to chase, he comes close to a score again but forces a GLDO.

😇 6-6 🐆

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31'

Saints keep Leigh in their own 20 again.

😇 6-6 🐆

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30'

🔄 LMS and Delaney on, Lees and Knowles off.

😇 6-6 🐆

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28'

SIONE MATA’UITA AND JAMES BELL! 💥

Two mammoth hits and we get the ball back! BANG!

😇 6-6 🐆

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27'

Percival charges out of the line and makes a big hit but is called offside, there’s some afters between the two sides!

😇 6-6 🐆

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25'

Saints finally get a six-again, but they don’t make it pay and knock on 20m out.

😇 6-6 🐆

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23'

On our right Knowles fires a great pass out to Welsby who as he’s being tackled gets an offload away but Leigh will take the ball by their own 20.

😇 6-6 🐆

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21'

Great kick chase from Percival and Makinson off a high Dodd bomb but Leigh get a penalty for a second effort from Lees.

😇 6-6 🐆

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19'
Goal
Mark Percival for Saints

✌ Percival adds the two!

😇 6-6 🐆

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17'
Try
Tommy Makinson for Saints

MAKINSON! That was scintillating St. Helens play!

Percival fired off an offload to Tommy, he broke on the wing and passed into Lomax, he passed to Batchelor and Batch passed back out for Makinson!

😇 4-6 🐆

#COYS

15'

💥 SHOT PERCIVAL! Great hit on O’Brien on the kick return.

😇 0-6 🐆

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12'
Goal
Ben Reynolds for Leigh Leopards

Ben Reynolds adds the kick.

😇 0-6 🐆

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11'
Try
Oliver Gildart for Leigh Leopards

Leopards strike first, a six-again is punished and the visitors shape up on the left and Oliver Gildart goes in.

😇 0-4 🐆

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8'

Saints come close twice! Welsby tries to juke to the line but is short and then a Dodd kick is chased by Batchelor but the bounce is unkind and Leigh stop our threat for now.

😇 0-0 🐆

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5'

A small grubber by Lomax is chased well by Percival and he forces a GLDO.

😇 0-0 🐆

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4'

More solid defensive work, this time keeping the visitors by their 20.

😇 0-0 🐆

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3'

Brilliant first defensive hit up, the Saints keep the Leopards pinned in their own 30.

😇 0-0 🐆

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Kick Off

▶ KICK-OFF! The Saints are underway in Round 25 of Super League against Leigh Leopards!

😇 0-0 🐆

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Kick Off

▶ KICK-OFF! The Saints are underway in Round 25 of Super League against Leigh Leopards!

😇 0-0 🐆

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Score predictions then for tonight’s game?

Play Up St Helens 🏉

Here’s how the Saints line-up against Leigh Leopards for our Heritage Celebration!

Heritage Celebration ready 🙌

#COYS | #Saints150 🔵🟤

🔵 𝗚𝗔𝗠𝗘𝗗𝗔𝗬 🟤

🆚 Leigh Leopards
📌 Totally Wicked Stadium
🕗 8pm KO
🎟 Available online on the Saints’ website
📺 Sky Sports

#Saints150 🔵🟤