Umyla Hanley’s two tries in the final 13 minutes ignited Leigh’s remarkable comeback.
Betfred Super League
Leigh (2) 20
Tries: Hanley 2, Trout Goals: O’Brien 4
Warrington (8) 16
Tries: Dufty, Jake Thewlis Goals: Sneyd 4
Leigh Leopards mounted a late surge, scoring two tries in three minutes, to undermine Warrington Wolves’ Super League play-off ambitions with a captivating victory at home.
Warrington dominated for much of the match. After Marc Sneyd and Gareth O’Brien exchanged penalty goals, the visitors held an 8-2 lead at halftime, thanks to Matt Dufty’s try, set up by a stunning run from Josh Thewlis.
Five minutes into the second half, his younger brother, Jake Thewlis, crossed the line, extending Warrington’s lead to 12 points before Umyla Hanley narrowed the gap.
Sneyd’s impressive 46-metre penalty put the Wolves ahead 16-8 with 10 minutes remaining, but Hanley scored again before Owen Trout secured the winning try with less than three minutes left.
Following this perplexing defeat, Warrington remains in eighth place, four points outside the play-off zone with seven rounds remaining.
Leigh’s smash-and-grab victory, their fourth straight and seventh in eight games, moves them within a point of second-placed Wigan Warriors.
Matt Dufty completed what could be a try of the season contender after a brilliant run from Josh Thewlis.
Responding to a lackluster defeat against Castleford Tigers, Warrington displayed aggression and energy from the outset, pinning their hosts deep in their own territory for much of the first quarter.
Despite their dominance, Leigh’s steadfast defense limited them to just two points, with Sneyd converting a penalty for Joe Ofahengaue’s high tackle on Sam Powell, who had been held up on the line moments earlier.
Having barely entered Wire territory, Leigh leveled the score through O’Brien’s penalty for late contact by Wire debutant Ryan Matterson.
Order was restored in the 32nd minute when Josh Thewlis, inside his own half on the right wing, cut back into the center with a breathtaking run, weaving through challenges before sending Dufty in under the posts.
The hope for a below-par Leigh, and concern for Wire, was that only one score separated the sides at halftime.
Sneyd slotted a second penalty before George Williams’ superb kick down the left wing bounced favorably for Jake Thewlis to collect and score his eighth Super League try of the season.
Leading 14-2 with 15 minutes left, Dufty had a second score, potentially decisive, overturned by the video referee following a Lachlan Fitzgibbon obstruction.
Two minutes later, Leigh, having barely troubled the Warrington line, were back in the game when Hanley stretched out to touch down O’Brien’s deflected grubber kick.
O’Brien’s conversion brought the Leopards back within six points, but Sneyd’s accurate penalty from long range again put the visitors two scores clear.
Once again, a Warrington score was ruled out after a video review, this time from Toby King, before Hanley powered through for a second try and O’Brien’s conversion narrowed the gap to 16-14.
Wire were suddenly hanging on and buckled moments later as Trout capped his 100th Super League appearance with the winning score from close range.
Leigh Leopards head coach Adrian Lam told BBC Radio Merseyside:
“I can’t quite grasp it, it was an unusual game.
“I felt emotionally drained and frustrated for much of it, but the players’ resilience and ability to find a way at the end is inspiring.
“The week off certainly had a negative impact, disrupting our momentum. We haven’t performed that poorly in a long time, but we’ll accept it.
“Warrington played very well and probably deserved to win, but some seasons are defined by performances like this and wins in the final moments.”
Warrington Wolves head coach Sam Burgess:
“I thought it was a great, intense game.
“Our game was much improved, we looked more like ourselves. The break has benefited us.
“They are a great side and put us under a lot of pressure in the last 15 minutes, which we didn’t handle as well as we should have, but we kept trying.
“I don’t think we deserved to lose. I’m disappointed, but proud of the team.”
Leigh: Hodgson; Brand, Niu, Hanley, Charnley; O’Brien, Lam; Trout, Ipape, Ofahengaue, Halton, Hughes, Liu.
Interchanges: McNamara, Tuitavake, Davis, Badrock.
Warrington: Dufty; Josh Thewlis, Wrench, King, Jake Thewlis; Williams, Sneyd; Yates, Powell, Vaughan, Stone, Fitzgibbon, Currie.
Interchanges: Philbin, Matterson, Wood, Walker.
Referee: Liam Moore.
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