Charnley Breaks Try Record in Leigh's Win Over Bradford
Josh Charnley scored his first Super League try as a teenager for Wigan in 2010.
Tries: Atkin, Aekins Goals: Dean 2
Tries: Charnley 3, Senior, Hodgson, Brogan Goals: Cook 7
Josh Charnley broke the Super League all-time try-scoring record to help Leigh Leopards secure a victory against Bradford Bulls.
Charnley recorded a hat-trick at Odsal Stadium, bringing his total to 272 tries, surpassing Leeds Rhinos winger Ryan Hall by one.
The 34-year-old winger now has 16 tries this season, second only to Leeds Rhinos' Maika Sivo.
Charnley contributed significantly to Leigh’s sixth win in seven matches, with Innes Senior, Bailey Hodgson, and Louis Brogan also scoring tries to complete a comprehensive victory.
Despite the win, Leigh remain in seventh place but have closed the gap to within two points of St Helens, who currently hold the final play-off spot.
Bradford managed only two tries from Chris Atkin and Caleb Aekins during a disappointing afternoon, leaving them in 10th place at the halfway point of the campaign.
The corresponding fixture between these teams next year is set to take place in Las Vegas on 27 February at Allegiant Stadium, home of the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders. This will be the first match between sides from either side of the Pennines to be held in the United States.
This match was highlighted by Charnley’s exceptional finishing, with his tries coming for Wigan Warriors, Warrington Wolves, and now Leigh since his debut as a teenager in 2010.
An Adam Cook penalty goal opened the scoring, followed by a precise kick from Cook that bounced perfectly for Charnley to run onto, bringing him within one try of Hall’s record.
Bradford controlled much of the territory but lacked the clinical edge of Charnley, who demonstrated his skill with a second try. He received a pass on the right touchline, side-stepped inside past two defenders, and dived over before a third defender could intervene, leveling the record.
Bradford scored the first points of the second half when scrum-half Atkin broke the line and resisted Charnley’s tackle attempt to score.
However, Charnley responded as Cook’s pass allowed him to complete his hat-trick, marking his 272nd Super League try.
Bradford’s full-back Aekins made a strong run through the defense to score their second try, but Leigh’s Hodgson and Brogan added further tries to increase the margin of victory.
The only downside for Leigh was Charnley limping off with 15 minutes remaining. The team hopes the veteran winger will recover and continue to add to his record tally.
Team Lineups
Bradford: Aekins; Armitage, Chamberlain, Blake, Ryan; Dean, Atkin; Sutton, Ackers, Doro, Fulton, Russell, Mellor.
Interchanges: Gardiner, Scurr, Steinwede, Hooley.
Leigh: Armstrong; Senior, Hodgson, Hughes, Charnley; Cook, Lam; Ofahengaue, Ipape, Mulhern, Halton, Alick-Wiencke, Liu.
Interchanges: Brogan, Pene, O'Brien, Horne.
