Saints v Leigh Leopards

Match Report
As it Happened
Line Up
Matchday Programme
Match News

Saints claimed their first league win of the 2026 season, with a 20-18 victory over Leigh Leopards at the BrewDog Stadium!

First Half

Leigh took the lead early on. The visitors pounced on a Saints mistake deep inside the Leopards half. They moved downfield and worked a chance as Josh Charnley collected a cut-out pass before scoring in the corner. Adam Cook missed a tricky kick, 4-0. Saints lost Jonny Lomax to injury as a result of a tackle earlier on in the set, he did not return to the contest.

Saints replied quickly. The hosts forced an error deep in Leigh territory, and after a few tackles, Daryl Clark picked the ball up from dummy half and burrowed his way over to score. Jackson Hastings converted, 6-4 we led.

The lead was extended soon just after the midway point of the first half. Saints challenged an on-field call of knock on which was successful, giving us a penalty in front of the sticks. The hosts opted for two, Hastings adding the two points to make it 8-4.

Leigh then scored another try. They applied pressure inside the Saints half and worked the ball out to Innes Senior who scored in the corner. Cook added the conversion, 8-10 Leigh led.

The hosts thought the lead was ours again, as Kyle Feldt went over in the corner. The referee however, ruled forward pass and disallowed it.

Leigh had their third try four minutes before the break. They moved the ball well from right to left, Bailey Hodgson cut inside onto his right foot to increase their lead. Cook added another two points, 8-16 to Leigh.

Saints got back into it just before the break. From kick off, the Red V got the ball back and once again worked it out wide to Feldt who finished well in the corner. This time it was given. Hastings was unable to convert, 12-16 Saints trailed at the break.

Second Half

Six minutes into the second forty, Leigh extended their lead. The visitors were awarded a penalty and opted for two points, with Cook nailing it to make the score 12-18.

Again, Saints replied quickly. Pressure paid off this time around as Joe Shorrocks was able to push his way over from close range to score his first Red V try under the posts. Hastings added a simple two points to tie the game, 18-18.

Just before the hour mark, Saints re-claimed the lead. The hosts were awarded a penalty for offside, opting for two points. Hastings converted, 20-18.

Both teams tried to add to the score-line, Charnley went close for Leigh towards the end of the game in the corner but Saints wrestled him into touch. The Red V claiming their first league win of the 2026 campaign at the BrewDog Stadium, 20-18.

Match Summary

Saints Team: Tristan Sailor, Kyle Feldt, Nene Macdonald, Deon Cross, Lewis Murphy, Jonny Lomax, Jackson Hastings, David Klemmer, Daryl Clark, Alex Walmsley, Curtis Sironen, Shane Wright, Joe Shorrocks.

Interchanges: Harry Robertson, Jacob Host, George Delaney, Matt Whitley.

18th Man: George Whitby.

Tries: Daryl Clark (8), Kyle Feldt (38), Joe Shorrocks (48)

Conversions: Jackson Hastings (2 from 3)

Penalties: Jackson Hastings (2 from 2)

Leigh Leopards Team: Bailey Hodgson, Innes Senior, Tesi Niu, Keanan Brand, Josh Charnley, Adam Cook, Lachlan Lam, Owen Trout, Edwin Ipape, Robbie Mulhern, Andrew Badrock, Jacob Alick-Wiencke.

Interchanges: Isaac Liu, Matt Davis, Liam Horne, Jack Hughes.

18th Man: Gareth O’Brien.

Tries: Josh Charnley (4), Innes Senior (28), Bailey Hodgson (36)

Conversions: Adam Cook (2 from 3)

Penalties: Adam Cook (1 from 1)

HT: 12-16

FT: 20-18

Attendance: 13,203

Club Thu 26 Feb

Home Opener Just Three Weeks Away

Take a look at your FREE Digital MATCH Programme, click the image below

In this edition of Saints & Proud, supporters can read exclusively:

• THE BIG READ with Jackson Hastings
• Paul Rowley pens his first programme column
• Welcome To The BrewDog Stadium – a new era for our home
• Heritage Features: Magic Numbers & Making The Grade
• A full recap of the St.Helens Women’s news
• Plus much more…

Saints Line up

6	Tristan Sailor
2	Kyle Feldt
25	Nene Macdonald
5	Deon Cross
20	Lewis Murphy
7	Jonny Lomax
31	Jackson Hastings
13	David Klemmer
9	Daryl Clark
8	Alex Walmsley
11	Curtis Sironen
12	Shane Wright
22	Joe Shorrocks
3	Harry Robertson
14	Jacob Host
15	George Delaney
16	Matt Whitley

Leigh Leopards Line up

18	Bailey Hodgson
19	Innes Senior
3	Tesi Niu
2	Keanan Brand
5	Josh Charnley
6	Adam Cook
7	Lachlan Lam
12	Owen Trout
9	Edwin Ipape
10	Robbie Mulhern
23	Andrew Badrock
15	Jacob Alick-Wiencke
8	Joe Ofahengaue
13	Isaac Liu
16	Matt Davis
17	Liam Horne
22	Jack Hughes

Last updated 20 Feb 26 21:47:41

78'

Leigh keep being turned away, a pass to the right winger is too strong and goes out.

COME ON.

77'

Another Captain’s Challenge by Saints, Murphy goes to jump for a ball and is judged as a knock on.

Challenge is unsuccessful this time.

77'

Terrific St.Helens chase from a high kick, Hodgson limited on metres made.

76'

Leigh kick high again, we come up with it.

75'

Saints keep the visitors in their own half, great defensive work.

74'

George comes off for a HIA.

Boy oh boy, we have been in the wars in this one.

😇 20-18 🐆

74'

Challenge successful.

74'

Leigh break on their left wing, but Feldt strips the ball, looked to be one-on-one but the referee gives it as an illegal strip.

Hastings sprints over to contest it with a Captain’s Challenge.

73'

Saints go close with Whitley on the left edge, but Leigh just keep us out.

71'

Leigh again by their own line, we kick across to the other side, but the visitors catch it.

70'

69'

Leigh push towards their 40m line but Brand knocks on trying to take a pass.

68'

Sironen drives close on the last, Leigh again needing to start by their own line.

67'

Cross has to come off for a HIA, just a penalty given.

Host had gone off for Delaney, but Jacob is already back on.

😇 20-18 🐆

67'

Leigh keep the ball alive on multiple occasions but we keep turning them away. Lam kicks a chip for a teammate to chase, but Feldt rises highest to claim it.

Cross then makes a break and looks to be taken high.

66'

Clark 20m off the Leigh line tries an offload, but it goes into the visitors’ hands. Another let off for Leigh.

65'

Leigh get a fresh set after a rogue offload was almost claimed by a Saints man.

They push us back towards our line after a 10/11 tackle set, and then Cook’s kick is too strong.

63'

Saints finish a set by forcing Leigh to start theirs by their own line.

61'

Leigh knock on the halfway line.

60'

Here comes Hosty.

😇 20-18 🐆

59'

Good defensive reply from the Leythers, Saints just by the halfway line before kicking high to Senior.

57'

Goal

Jackson Hastings for Saints

The Leopards following that penalty are back by their own line, and a penalty is given and on comes our kicking tee.

Hastings takes his time and slots it over.

55'

Strong defence by the S-Men. Shorrocks and Clark putting in strong hits, keeping the visitors in their own half.

Leigh then give away a penalty.

54'

Leigh manage to hold the Saints out, Delaney got caught with the ball on the last.

53'

The Saints with a good set push the visitors back to their own line. A bad pass then sees the ball go out by the dead ball line, and then the GLDO doesn’t go 10m.

52'

49'

Goal

Jackson Hastings for Saints

Extras added by Jackson and we’re back level.

😇 18-18 🐆

48'

Try

Joe Shorrocks for Saints

SHOZZZZZ 💥

Joe made his way to the line, right under the sticks for his first St.Helens try!

😇 16-18 🐆

47'

Leigh kicking against the wind now, an awkward high bomb again comes back and after it ricochets around Robertson pinches more metres.

46'

Goal

Adam Cook for Leigh Leopards

Saints are judged offside 25m off our line, just to the left of the sticks.

Leigh call for the kicking tee and Adam Cook kicks the points.

44'

Leigh will get another great chance to attack, Robertson can’t take a swirling high ball.

43'

Another solid set from the Saints pushes the visitors back towards their own line, but Tesi Niu manages to catch Hastings’ kick.

41'

We kick on the last and Leigh allow it to bounce, we meet them strongly to bring them down early.

Our lads are out and ready to go. Bring on that second half!

40'

Adam Cook tries for a drop goal but misses.

40'

The kick-off is awkward in the wind, we can’t take it and it goes out after a bounce in-goal.

22 seconds in the half left.

39'

Jackson kicks against the wind and misses the conversion attempt.

😇 12-16 🐆

38'

Try

Kyle Feldt for Saints

FELDTYYY 🛬

Kyle will not be denied this time!

The Red V get the ball back from the kick-off and build pressure, we pass out to our winger and he does what he does best!

😇 12-16 🐆

36'

Goal

Adam Cook for Leigh Leopards

Cook kicks the extras.

35'

Try

Bailey Hodgson for Leigh Leopards

Leigh get a relieving penalty in their own 20, they kick into our half and push close.

Going from right to left, Hodgson finds his way to the line.

33'

Wright with another robust charge, Hastings then goes high and Cross’ chase to tackle Hodgson is timed perfectly.

However, we are judged to be messing in the ruck, so Leigh get a relieving penalty.

31'

Feldt goes in at the corner, but the pass to him is judged forward.

30'

Leigh with the wind in their favour kick high, Murphy wisely leaves it to run out for a tap 20m restart.

28'

Goal

Adam Cook for Leigh Leopards

Adam Cook adds the kick.

😇 8-10 🐆

27'

Try

Innes Senior for Leigh Leopards

Leigh build in our half and throw it out to the left, Innes Senior gets into the corner for the visitors.

😇 8-8 🐆

25'

Big Al off, Saint George on.

😇 8-4 🐆

24'

Shorrocks tries to pass in the middle to Klemmer, but the big man can’t take it clean. Leigh with a good chance to attack in our half.

22'

Goal

Jackson Hastings for Saints

Saints use their Captain’s Challenge for a judged knock on by the Leigh line.

It is successful and we have a penalty, we call for the kicking tee and Hastings slots it over from bang in front.

😇 8-4 🐆

21'

Saints make an interchange.

😇 6-4 🐆

20'

Leigh cough up the ball by their own 20m. We go looking for our second score.

19'

The Red V get into the Leopards half again, Hodgson deals with a high hanging kick well though.

18'

The Saints have had to defend their own line for three back-to-back sets, Charnley almost goes in but it’s a double movement in the corner. Hastings making a strong tackle to deny him.

16'

Leigh kick from near the middle of the field, good track back by Saints.

15'

Robertson makes a half break away on the fourth, Hastings then kicks high and the chase by Deon Cross is brilliant to meet Hodgson immediately.

14'

Leigh this time kick high 20m out, another pat back but Klemmer gets to it first.

13'

Let off for the Leythers. A knock on at the play off of the ball by Walmsley.

12'

Leigh mess around at the ruck, we get a penalty and Shane Wright takes a huge first carry up into the face of the Leigh men.

11'

Good set after points for the Red V, we move into the Leigh half and kick on the last. It almost comes back to where it was kicked with the strong wind, Klemmer patted it back and we work it better this time.

Goal

Jackson Hastings for Saints

Hastings slots over the conversion ✌️

😇 6-4 🐆