Brodie Croft's late try seals Leeds' statement victory at Leigh

The Guardian

20 hours ago

Leigh Leopards and Leeds Rhinos delivered a thrilling Super League contest befitting of any high stakes, playoff encounter that the pair may square off in later this year, with Brad Arthur's side edging a magnificent night of entertainment.
Both sides began the night still with a realistic chance of overtaking the reigning champions, Wigan, in second place – with a top-two finish bringing with it huge benefits come the playoffs next month. In fact, Leigh knew victory here would move them second before the Warriors' clash against Warrington on Fridaytonight.
But Leeds are now firmly in the race for second once again after they underlined their title credentials to end Leigh's four-match winning run and catapult themselves back into the conversation for the Grand Final.
Arthur will decide over the weekend whether to sign a new contract with Leeds for 2026 that was tabled this week, and this performance from his side against a fellow title contender may well have convinced him his future should remain in England next year rather than returning to Australia.
He has transformed Leeds in little over a year in charge from a side bereft of quality and confidence, and who had finished eighth in each of the past two seasons to a team that are now a legitimate threat to make it to Old Trafford and secure a ninth Super League title.
The Rhinos overturned an early eight-point deficit to finish as worthy winners to move to within just one point of Leigh and two behind Wigan with six rounds remaining. The game, end-to-end throughout, was never decided until Brodie Croft's late try three minutes from full-time.
The Leopards were much the stronger of the two sides in the opening quarter, and were good value for the lead they had established by the midway point of the first half. Tries from Umyla Hanley and Keanan Brand were no less than what Leigh deserved, with Leeds struggling to cope in the early stages.
But a superb 40-20 from Jake Connor shifted the momentum decisively the way of the Rhinos. From what felt like their first real attacking position of the evening they halved the deficit courtesy of a sublime solo effort from Lachie Miller.
A Leigh error then afforded Leeds the chance to attack again, with Sam Lisone forcing his way over the line and giving Connor a simple conversion to kick the first goal at the night. That was ultimately the difference at the break, with Connor making it 10-8.
The Rhinos then extended that lead shortly after half-time as a wonderful kick from Connor teed up James Bentley to score under the posts, giving the half-back another easy conversion to put real daylight between the sides for the first time.
At that stage, Leeds looked well placed to go on and run out comfortable victors. But this Leigh side, who have matured immensely in 2025, were never likely to fold so easily. They would set up a grandstand finish when Brand scored his second, and Gareth O'Brien converted from wide to reduce the gap to just two once again.
Leigh certainly had chances late on to snatch victory, with Bailey Hodgson having a try ruled out and Josh Charnley spilling a golden opportunity with five minutes to go. That was enough to let Leeds off the hook, and they settled matters as a wonderful break from Miller freed Croft to seal another statement win for the Rhinos.