Betfred Challenge Cup, Belle Vue
Wakefield (0) 12
Tries: Russell, Rourke Goals: Lino 2
Leigh (6) 20
Tries: Lam, Niu, Hodgson Goals: O'Brien 4
Second-half tries from Fanitesi Niu and Bailey Hodgson helped Leigh Leopards through to the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup after a comeback victory at Wakefield Trinity.
Lachlan Lam's try put the visitors 6-0 up at the break before two quick tries after the interval from Matty Russell and Josh Rourke turned the game around to put Trinity 12-6 ahead.
But Rourke's knock-on led to a superb try from Niu to bring Leigh level, before Gareth O'Brien kicked a penalty to put them ahead.
Wakefield again lost possession cheaply and Hodgson pounced to score the decisive try and send Leigh through.
Leigh are back in the last four of the competition they won back in 2023, and they avenged last weekend's 40-14 Super League humbling by Wakefield.
They took an early lead as the ball was worked wide on the last tackle before a grubber in behind the defence was collected by Lam to score.
It proved the only score of the half as despite a greater share of territory, the visitors were kept in check and took a narrow lead into the break.
The game quickly changed after half-time as Mason Lino's cross-field kick bounced kindly for Russell to touch down.
Oli Pratt then broke the Leigh defence and sent Rourke in to put Wakefield in front.
But two errors by Rourke led to the home side surrendering their ascendency.
First, he spilled a high kick to hand Leigh possession, and Niu danced his way left and right before seeing off four tacklers to power to the line and level the tie at 12-12.
Rourke then took O'Brien's high kick only to release a loose pass which Hodgson picked off to run in.
It knocked the life out of Wakefield, who never threatened to reignite the game in the closing stages.
Wakefield head coach Daryl Powell told BBC Radio Leeds:
"I thought it was an outstanding effort from the boys, we had a bit of shuffling around in the team so I was proud of them.
"Leigh started well and we kept giving penalties away, which hurt us. We then dominated the second half until we made a couple of errors that gifted them the game.
"But there was nothing in the game and even with so many players missing, we were still a fair challenge."
Leigh head coach Adrian Lam told BBC Radio Manchester:
"It was a tough game and one we expected, and the pressure was on after last week.
"We had resilience in the group and courage to hang in there after that first 10 minutes of the second half.
"The way it unfolded last week was a comedy of errors, but our attitude changed slightly this week We were pretty focused for the game and I think we deserved to win."
Wakefield: Rourke; M Russell, Scott, Pratt, Johnstone; Lino, O Russell; McMeeken, Hood, Hamlin-Uele, Croft, Vagana, Pitts.
Interchanges: Rodwell, Atoni, Cozza, Smith.
Leigh: Armstrong; Hodgson, Niu, Hanley, Brand; O'Brien, Lam; Trout, ...
