Leigh’s defence stifles Leeds to end Rhinos’ home run in Super League

Leigh Leopards ended Leeds Rhinos’ 100% home record in Super League on a balmy August evening, with Umyla Hanley’s second-half try proving decisive as Leigh took a vital two-point win.

Leigh’s rearguard held firm after half-time to limit the table-topping Rhinos to just two points, a defensive performance coach Adrian Lam’s side will view as evidence of progress as they pursue a top-six place.

Innes Senior scored two first-half tries for the visitors, while Ryan Hall — who scored two minutes into his return from injury — looked to have produced a late leveller for Leeds before his second try was disallowed after his trailing foot was adjudged to have been in touch.

Scoring: Leeds: Tries: Hall, Croft Goals: Connor 4. Leigh: Tries: Charnley, Senior 2, Hanley Goals: Cook 2.

Leeds: Miller; Newman, Bird, Handley, Hall; Croft, Connor; Oledzki, O'Connor, Jenkins, Hankinson, Watkins, C. Smith. Interchanges: Holroyd, Cassell, McCormack, Lloyd.

Leigh: Armstrong; Senior, Badrock, Hanley, Charnley; Cook, Lam; Ofahengaue, Horne, Liu, Hughes, Trout, Brogan. Interchanges: Ipape, Mulhern, Alick-Wiencke, Davis.

Defeat leaves Leeds open to being caught at the summit: Wigan can go level on points with the Rhinos if they beat Bradford Bulls on Saturday, while Leigh’s two points strengthen their position in the race for a top-six finish.