Rugby League: Hull FC 22 - 22 Leopards 22
Leigh went top of the Super League after an extra-time draw with Hull FC
Their perfect start to the season is over, but they still climbed to the top of Super League after an electrifying draw with Hull FC at the MKM Stadium.
It looked like the Leopards had the game under control when they led 12-6, with Hull down to 11 men after Aidan Sezer and Jordan Rapana were both sin-binned within five minutes.
But the hosts refused to lie down, twice levelling the contest in a thrilling second half through Harvey Barron and Herman Ese'ese. Each time, Leigh hit back, with Lachlan Lam setting up David Armstrong for two tries to restore their advantage.
Then, with time running out, Lewis Martin crossed in the corner to hand Sezer a shot at victory. But his conversion hit the post, and neither side could land a golden point winner in extra time.
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A closer look at what happened in Hull
Hunting their first home win in eight months, Hull started brightly and struck first when Jed Cartwright latched onto Cade Cust’s short ball and raced through for his first try of the season.
Leigh hit back almost immediately, as Lam’s dummy set up Andrew Badrock to send Nene Macdonald charging over. Gareth O’Brien couldn’t add the extras, his kick bouncing off the frame – just as Sezer’s had done earlier.
The game exploded into life when referee Thomas Grant showed back-to-back yellow cards to Sezer and Rapana for high shots on Armstrong. With Hull repeatedly penalised, Leigh capitalised.
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O’Brien’s boot nudged the Leopards ahead before Umyla Hanley bulldozed his way over – much to the frustration of the home crowd, who were furious when Grant opted against further cards after fouls by O’Brien and Jack Hughes.
Down to 11 men, Hull dug deep to stay in the contest and even clawed back two points through Jordan Lane’s penalty before they were back at full strength.
After the break, the momentum shifted. Sezer’s pinpoint crossfield kick evaded Tom Briscoe and was pounced on by Barron, who wriggled over to bring Hull level.
Leigh responded again as Lam found Armstrong, whose pace took him to the corner. Despite being stopped short, he somehow managed to force the ball over the line.
But the drama kept coming. John Asiata sent Ese'ese crashing over, only for Lam and Armstrong to combine once more to edge Leigh back in front.
With seconds to go, Hull weren’t done. Martin’s try out wide brought them level yet again, giving Sezer the chance to seal it – but his kick struck the upright, sending the game to golden point.
There was more controversy in extra time when ex-Leopard Briscoe was ruled to have taken the ball out of play, handing Leigh possession. Lam had two attempts at a drop-goal, but both were charged down as Hull clung on for a dramatic draw.
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