Leigh Leopards produced a resolute defensive display to end Leeds Rhinos' unbeaten home record in Super League this season, winning a crucial two points in their push for a top-six finish. The match, played at AMT Headingley Stadium on 13 August 2026, saw Umyla Hanley's second-half try prove decisive as Leigh held firm despite Leeds dominating possession and territory after the interval. According to Sky Sports, the fixture kicked off at 20:00 and was refereed by Chris Kendall, as listed in the 2026 Super League results log.
Innes Senior struck twice in the opening 40 minutes for the visitors, but it was Leigh's rearguard effort in the second half that stood out, restricting Leeds to just two points after the break and highlighting the strides made under coach Adrian Lam. The defeat opens the door for Wigan to draw level on points with Leeds at the summit should they beat Bradford Bulls on Saturday.
Ryan Hall, who had marked his return from injury with a try inside two minutes, appeared to have rescued a point for Leeds late on, but his second try was ruled out after his trailing foot was judged to have touched the sideline.
How did the first half unfold?
Leeds struck early when a high kick from Lachie Miller was fumbled by Hanley straight into the path of Jake Connor, who released the ball to the left flank for Hall to score just two minutes into his comeback, with Connor adding the conversion from touch.
Hanley atoned for his error shortly after, breaking through on the right edge and offloading to Josh Charnley, who finished with the composure of experience to register the 280th Super League try of his career and level the scores.
Leeds edged back in front through a Connor penalty kicked straight in front of the posts, only for Leigh to respond when Senior showed athleticism to stay in play and dive over in the left corner — this despite Leigh being down to 12 men after Robbie Mulhern received a green card.
Leigh spurned a clear scoring chance when David Armstrong's electric line break set up Edwin Ipape, but the hooker's pass forward saw him knock on in what was a gripping opening period. That miss proved significant moments later when Ash Handley's audacious offload found Miller, who created space before feeding Brodie Croft to finish a slick team try under the posts for Leeds.
Charnley was denied by a superb last-gasp tackle from Zak Lloyd, but Leigh worked the ball back to the left, where Senior wrong-footed Miller to complete his second try. Adam Cook's conversion attempt drifted wide, leaving the scores tied at the interval.
What changed after half-time?
Leeds regained a narrow lead through Connor's boot five minutes into the second period, but Charnley once again showed his pace down the right, combining with Hanley on the inside to slide over and put Leigh back ahead.
With 20 minutes remaining, Andrew Badrock was sent to the sin-bin for dangerous contact on Harry Newman. Leigh's 12-man defensive unit responded by refusing to concede a single point during his absence, underlining the resilience that has defined their season under Lam.
Leeds believed they had drawn level with just over three minutes left when Hall forced his way over in the left corner, but a scrambling defensive effort from Hanley showed his trailing right foot had gone into touch, denying the score. A monstrous 40/20 kick from Connor gave Leeds one final attacking opportunity deep in Leigh territory with 30 seconds remaining, but Liam Horne held on to another grubber kick from Connor to secure the win and complete a league double over the table-toppers.
How does this fit into the season so far?
This result follows an earlier meeting between the two sides this season, which Leigh also won, 26–14, in Leigh. According to Leeds Rhinos' own match report on that game, a second-half error from Riley Lumb allowed Jack Hall to score early after the restart, contributing to the defeat.
Leigh's win over Bradford Bulls in June, in which Charnley scored a hat-trick to break the Super League try-scoring record, was another marker of their improving form — a result detailed in earlier coverage of that match. Leeds, meanwhile, had earlier extended their own lead at the top of the table with a nine-try demolition of Bradford in July, including a hat-trick from Ash Handley, as reported in coverage of that fixture, and had also snatched a dramatic late win over Wakefield Trinity in August, as covered in a report on that contest.
What happens next for both sides?
Leigh's next scheduled fixture, according to both the club's official fixtures page and Sky Sports' team page, falls on Friday, 21 August 2026. Wigan's result against Bradford Bulls on Saturday will determine whether they draw level with Leeds at the summit of the Super League table, adding further significance to this result in the title race.
Key Facts
- Leigh Leopards defeated Leeds Rhinos at AMT Headingley Stadium on 13 August 2026, kicking off at 20:00.
- Josh Charnley scored his 280th career Super League try during the match.
- Ryan Hall's late try was disallowed for a foot in touch, preserving Leigh's win.
- The result gives Leigh a league double over Leeds after an earlier 26–14 win in Leigh.
- Leigh's next fixture is scheduled for 21 August 2026.
