Joe Ofahengaue (right) scored a decisive late try Betfred Super League Wakefield (12) 20 Tries:Jowitt, Pratt, HallGoals:Jowitt (4) Leigh (18) 24 Tries:Armstrong (2) McIntosh, OfahengaueGoals:McNamara (4) Leigh Leopards edged out Wakefield Trinity in a thriller on an emotional day at the DIY Kitchens Stadium. The game was dedicated to Trinity coach Daryl Powell's grandson Clarke, who has leukaemia and led the teams out. Both sides could have won it but Joe Ofahengaue's late try was the crucial swing after other scores from David Armstrong and Darnell McIntosh. Wakefield only led for a short period in the second half despite tries from Max Jowitt, Oliver Pratt and Corey Hall. Leigh scored inside three minutes without Wakefield touching the ball. Their pressure was relentless as they gradually pushed forward until Armstrong forced his way over the line. Ben McNamara was unable to convert. But Wakefield hit back within five minutes through Jowitt's ninth try of the season in all competitions. With two players spare to his right, his dummy pass unlocked the door from close range following a quick scrum. He picked himself to secure the extras with his kick. McNamara restored parity with a penalty, before his quick pass to Armstrong unlocked the Trinity defence after McIntosh's initial counter-attack. Once again, McNamara succeeded with his kick to increase Leigh's lead to six points. Jowitt's last-ditch tackle on the line denied McIntosh a certain try in the corner as the visitors looked to ramp home their advantage before half-time. After McNamara added another penalty, McIntosh finally crossed after a wonderful pass from Lachlan Lam for another try, but the kick was missed. Three minutes from the break, Pratt touched down after superb Wakefield switch play from right to left. Jowitt kicked over to put the hosts back within six. The second half was cagey, but Jowitt closed the gap further for Wakefield with a penalty before Hall's try. He capitalised on a defensive misjudgement from Tesi Niu to touch down after meeting Jake Trueman's searching kick. Jowitt put Wakefield in front for the first time with his conversion. Trinity were looking set to record a crucial win as they looked to climb into the Super League top six, but Ofahengaue struck from close range to steal it inside the final few minutes, before McNamara added the extras. Wakefield:Jowitt, Russell, Hall, Pratt, Johnstone, Trueman, Lino, McMeeken, Hood, Vagana, Croft, Griffin, Pitts Interchanges:Cozza, Rourke, Smith, Faatili, Nikotemo Leigh:Armstrong, McIntosh, Niu, Hanley, Brand, McNamara, Lam, Ofahengaue, Ipape, Mulhern, Halton, Trout, Liu Interchanges:Hughes, Tuitavake, Davis, Hodgson, Charnley Referee:Jack Smith.
Leigh clinch dramatic win at Wakefield
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Leigh Leopards Secure Last-Minute Victory Against Wakefield Trinity"
Bbc News
8.0
TruthLens AI Summary
In a thrilling encounter at the DIY Kitchens Stadium, the Leigh Leopards secured a dramatic victory over Wakefield Trinity with a score of 24-20 in the Betfred Super League. The match was particularly emotional as it was dedicated to Wakefield's coach Daryl Powell's grandson, Clarke, who is battling leukaemia. Leigh made an explosive start to the game, scoring within the first three minutes through David Armstrong, who powered over the line following relentless pressure. Although Leigh took an early lead, Wakefield quickly responded with Max Jowitt scoring after an effective dummy pass unlocked the defense, allowing him to convert his own try and level the score. The back-and-forth nature of the match continued as Leigh's Ben McNamara successfully converted a penalty and assisted in another try by Darnell McIntosh, extending their lead to 12-6. However, Wakefield showcased their resilience, with Oliver Pratt scoring just before halftime, bringing the score to 12-12 as the teams headed into the break.
The second half was marked by a tense atmosphere, with both teams exchanging penalties and tries. Wakefield initially took the lead for the first time with a try from Corey Hall, following a defensive error from Leigh. Jowitt's conversion put Wakefield ahead 20-18, and it seemed they were on track for a crucial victory in their bid to enter the Super League top six. However, in a dramatic turn of events, Joe Ofahengaue scored a late try for Leigh, reclaiming the lead. McNamara's successful conversion solidified their victory just minutes before the final whistle. The match highlighted the competitive spirit of both teams and the emotional backdrop that added significance to the day's events, showcasing the resilience and determination of the players involved.
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