Challenge Cup Heartbreak for Leigh Leopards as Hull KR Secure Revenge Victory
Published: April 8, 2023 | Source: BBC Sport
In a thrilling Challenge Cup quarterfinal clash, defending champions Leigh Leopards saw their hopes of a Wembley return dashed by last season’s runners-up Hull KR. Despite leading at the half, the Leopards ultimately fell to a 26-14 defeat at Craven Park, with second-half tries from Joe Burgess, Niall Evalds, and Elliot Minchella securing the Robins’ spot in the semi-finals for the third consecutive year.
Leigh Leopards head coach Adrian Lam was left frustrated, despite his side’s impressive first-half performance. “We had two or three chances to pull it back, but we didn’t complete it. I thought the week’s preparation was unbelievable, and we had a really good simple game plan that we nailed in that first 40 minutes,” Lam told Leigh Leopards TV.
The Leopards’ execution faltered in the second half, as ill-discipline and errors allowed Hull KR to gain the upper hand. “The way that we made errors and ill-discipline through penalties and offside and things like that hurt us in the end,” Lam admitted.
Despite the defeat, Lam took positives from his team’s display, stating, “I thought it was probably the best rugby of the year that we’ve played.” However, the inability to convert their chances into points proved costly, as the Robins ultimately outclassed the defending champions in the second half.
As the Leopards’ quest for a Wembley return comes to an end, Hull KR will now look to secure their first Challenge Cup title since 2015 when they face off against the winner of the other quarterfinal clash.
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