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Leigh Leopards head coach Adrian Lam described his side\u2019s start to the second half as \u2018diabolical\u2019 in their 26-16 play-off loss to Wakefield Trinity<\/a>.<\/p>\n Trailing 12-6 at half-time courtesy of a Davey Armstrong try on the hooter, Leigh knew that they had to massively improve after a very poor first 40 minutes, however, things didn\u2019t go to plan as Isaiah Vagana crashed over minutes into the second half.<\/p>\n Caius Faatili would soon cross over before Emre Guler\u2019s red card gave Leigh some hope, although their execution remained lacking as they crashed out of the play-offs.<\/p>\n Interestingly, Lam would defend Emre Guler when speaking post-match on Sky Sports, arguing that it was an unlucky red card, which may be something Wakefield could use in the prop\u2019s defence if he is charged by the disciplinary panel as expected.<\/p>\n On the red card, Lam said: \u201cThey had one player sent off tonight, which was sad. The red card, I don\u2019t think that\u2019s deserved, and hopefully they get around that.\u201d<\/p>\n As for his side\u2019s showing, Lam couldn\u2019t hide his frustration at the performance, stating:\u00a0\u201cJust not ideal, it was quite frustrating to watch at times. Too many mistakes and everything that we tried not to do, so that\u2019s what happens.\u201d<\/p>\n Super League Dream Team reaction, England selection debate, and are Wigan Warriors unstoppable? \u2013 Click here to watch the latest episode of the Serious About Rugby League Show<\/a><\/p>\n Most Read on Serious About Rugby League<\/p>\n Leigh Leopards dominated in the middle, admits Lam<\/p>\n He highlighted the start of both halves as an issue, admitting that Wakefield rolled his side down the middle all night long.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you come to these grounds, you need to start well, and they\u2019ve been great all season, Wakefield, and we knew that they would play like that but there was a couple of soft tries,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cI think that Smoothy try in the first 10 minutes there was exactly what we didn\u2019t need, and just the softness with that, and then a couple of other soft areas through the middle where they rolled us was the story of the night, really.<\/p>\n \u201cWe still rallied well, we were lucky enough to score right on half-time, but it could have been more points than what it was, it should have been, but to get back to 12-6, I thought there was some hope there.\u201d<\/p>\n As for the second-half, he said:\u00a0\u201cThen that first five, seven minutes in the second half was just diabolical, and everything that we\u2019ve not done this year. For some reason, it\u2019s all come out tonight, and that happens. It\u2019s not ideal but it made it really difficult for us.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s just down to execution, and individuals, and big moments. I mean we played them in this game last year on our home ground and won quite convincingly, and it was a completely different story tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n Paying tribute to the victors, Lam added:\u00a0\u201cCredit to Wakefield, I think, as I mentioned, they\u2019ve been one of the best sides all season and they\u2019re a good chance next week whoever they play, but for me, it was a frustrating night tonight. We didn\u2019t really hit our straps.\u201d<\/p>\n Wakefield Trinity are into a Super League semi-final for the first time ever \ud83d\ude4c\u2705 pic.twitter.com\/azi5Uh73Ir<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Sky Sports Rugby League (@SkySportsRL) September 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1789788853_941_srl-logo.png\"\/){kind=logo}
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