First Half

Leigh took the lead early on. The visitors pounced on a Saints mistake deep inside the Leopards half. They moved downfield and worked a chance as Josh Charnley collected a cut-out pass before scoring in the corner. Adam Cook missed a tricky kick, 4-0. Saints lost Jonny Lomax to injury as a result of a tackle earlier on in the set, he did not return to the contest.

Saints replied quickly. The hosts forced an error deep in Leigh territory, and after a few tackles, Daryl Clark picked the ball up from dummy half and burrowed his way over to score. Jackson Hastings converted, 6-4 we led.

The lead was extended soon just after the midway point of the first half. Saints challenged an on-field call of knock on which was successful, giving us a penalty in front of the sticks. The hosts opted for two, Hastings adding the two points to make it 8-4.

Leigh then scored another try. They applied pressure inside the Saints half and worked the ball out to Innes Senior who scored in the corner. Cook added the conversion, 8-10 Leigh led.

The hosts thought the lead was ours again, as Kyle Feldt went over in the corner. The referee however, ruled forward pass and disallowed it.

Leigh had their third try four minutes before the break. They moved the ball well from right to left, Bailey Hodgson cut inside onto his right foot to increase their lead. Cook added another two points, 8-16 to Leigh.

Saints got back into it just before the break. From kick off, the Red V got the ball back and once again worked it out wide to Feldt who finished well in the corner. This time it was given. Hastings was unable to convert, 12-16 Saints trailed at the break.

⏸️ The Saints trail the Leopards by four at the break in Round 2.#COYS | @LPL_Airport pic.twitter.com/92gBwRe75C

— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) February 20, 2026

Second Half

Six minutes into the second forty, Leigh extended their lead. The visitors were awarded a penalty and opted for two points, with Cook nailing it to make the score 12-18.

Again, Saints replied quickly. Pressure paid off this time around as Joe Shorrocks was able to push his way over from close range to score his first Red V try under the posts. Hastings added a simple two points to tie the game, 18-18.

Just before the hour mark, Saints re-claimed the lead. The hosts were awarded a penalty for offside, opting for two points. Hastings converted, 20-18.

Both teams tried to add to the score-line, Charnley went close for Leigh towards the end of the game in the corner but Saints wrestled him into touch. The Red V claiming their first league win of the 2026 campaign at the BrewDog Stadium, 20-18.

🙌 The Saints win a tight one over the Leopards in our Home Opener!

A dogged performance from our men!#COYS | @LPL_Airport pic.twitter.com/dBJ7QWBWw4

— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) February 20, 2026

Match Summary

Saints Team: Tristan Sailor, Kyle Feldt, Nene Macdonald, Deon Cross, Lewis Murphy, Jonny Lomax, Jackson Hastings, David Klemmer, Daryl Clark, Alex Walmsley, Curtis Sironen, Shane Wright, Joe Shorrocks.

Interchanges: Harry Robertson, Jacob Host, George Delaney, Matt Whitley.

18th Man: George Whitby.

Tries: Daryl Clark (8), Kyle Feldt (38), Joe Shorrocks (48)

Conversions: Jackson Hastings (2 from 3)

Penalties: Jackson Hastings (2 from 2)

Leigh Leopards Team: Bailey Hodgson, Innes Senior, Tesi Niu, Keanan Brand, Josh Charnley, Adam Cook, Lachlan Lam, Owen Trout, Edwin Ipape, Robbie Mulhern, Andrew Badrock, Jacob Alick-Wiencke.

Interchanges: Isaac Liu, Matt Davis, Liam Horne, Jack Hughes.

18th Man: Gareth O’Brien.

Tries: Josh Charnley (4), Innes Senior (28), Bailey Hodgson (36)

Conversions: Adam Cook (2 from 3)

Penalties: Adam Cook (1 from 1)

HT: 12-16

FT: 20-18

Attendance: 13,203

View the teamsheet in full: R2 – Saints v Leigh Teamsheet

HT Draw Number: 11746