Leigh’s clear target emerges following York win as Knights’ Super League case strengthened

Leigh’s push to cement a play-off spot continued on Friday night as they edged York Knights on home soil, winning 22-14.

Live from the press box at the Leopards’ Den, our five key takeaways…

Leigh’s target clear

A couple of weeks ago, there was talk of the Leopards being in hunt of a top-two finish. They won’t give up on that, we’re sure, but their target now – at least to us – is abundantly clear: a top four finish.

Adrian Lam’s side are probably a shade below the current top three in terms of quality, but they’ve developed a winning habit over the last few moths and show no signs of dropping off – winning tonight when not at their best.

That’s a sign of a good team, and if Leigh could snag fourth spot, it’d be an achievement after their sluggish start to the campaign amid an injury crisis. Don’t back against them pulling it off either, with three of their last five matches at home.

Home comforts

Finishing in that top four becomes even more crucial when you look at just how good Leigh are in their own backyard.

It’s eight wins in 11 home league games this season now at the Leopards’ Den – with Catalans Dragons, Hull KR and Wigan Warriors the only three sides to win here.

Finishing fourth, or third, would hand Lam’s side a home tie in the play-off eliminators for the second year running – and that in itself is massive.

2022 Knight-mare long forgotten: A different club

If you ever needed to underline how far York have come in a short space of time, compare their results the last time they were in the same league as Leigh to this year.

Back in 2022, the then-Centurions thumped the Knights 100-4 on home soil in the Championship, and then beat them again a few weeks later in the play-off semi-finals, 70-10.

Four years on, they gave the Leopards a hell of a game here, as they have done with the majority of clubs they’ve faced this season after making the step up to Super League for the first time. Keep them in the top-flight and let’s see how far they can go.

Leopards injury concern

Robbie Mulhern was forced off with 11 minutes left on the clock with what appeared to be a back injury.

Having already missed a chunk of the season, Leigh will hope that doesn’t rule him out now we’re at the business end of the season.

Jack Hughes was absent for this clash, and his prognosis is unknown as yet.

More history for Charnley

On return from injury, Leopards winger Josh Charnley created more history, and it took him just nine minutes to do so: moving up to 20th place standalone in the list of the British game’s all-time try-scorers.

Heading into Friday night’s clash, in the same week he welcomed newborn Arow into the world, the veteran had been tied in 20th with Mick Sullivan.

His try took him onto a career tally of 343 in the British game though, above Sullivan. Here’s an overview…

All-time top try-scorers in the British game (19th-23rd)

19. Paul Newlove – 347

20. Josh Charnley 343

21. Mick Sullivan – 342

22. Garry Schofield – 330

23. Shaun Edwards – 327