Leigh Leopards’ Quest for Challenge Cup Repeat Ends, but Injury Woes Loom Larger for Adrian Lam
Published: April 23, 2023 | Source: Sky Sports
Leigh Leopards’ defense of their Challenge Cup title came to an end on Saturday, as they fell 26-14 to Hull KR at Craven Park. However, the bigger concern for head coach Adrian Lam may be the double injury blow revealed in the aftermath of the defeat.
The holders were outmatched in the second half, with tries from Joe Burgess, Niall Evalds, and Elliot Minchella sealing the victory for Hull KR. Leigh had led 8-6 at the break, buoyed by a remarkable 96% completion rate in the first half, but they couldn’t sustain their efforts as the home side rallied.
The loss marked the sixth of the season for the Leopards, with injuries continuing to hamper their progress. The club was already without key players like Edwin Ipape, John Asiata, and Tom Briscoe, and the situation has now worsened.
Lam confirmed that both Gareth O’Brien and Robbie Mulhern will be sidelined for an extended period, with the head coach expecting them to miss around six weeks of action. O’Brien has suffered a torn calf, while Mulhern’s injury remains unspecified.
Despite the setback, Lam found a positive in the return of Tom Amone, who the coach praised for his inspirational performance. “I thought he was the best player on the field,” Lam said, highlighting Amone’s impact on the team.
The Leopards boss also hinted that more players could be set to return in the coming weeks, offering a glimmer of hope for the struggling side. However, the loss of O’Brien and Mulhern will undoubtedly be a significant blow as Leigh look to turn their season around.
Lam acknowledged the team’s inconsistency, citing the constant changes to the lineup as a contributing factor. “We haven’t had the same team for two games ago this year,” he said, but expressed confidence that the “time will come” for Leigh to find their stride.
As the Leopards navigate through their injury woes and search for greater consistency, their supporters will be hoping the team can overcome these challenges and recapture the form that led them to Challenge Cup glory last year.
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