Challenge Cup: Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 30-36 Leigh Centurions

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Oliver WilkesImage source, SWpix.com
Image caption,

Former Wakefield forward Oliver Wilkes scored the winning try against his former side

Ladbrokes Challenge Cup

Wakefield (24) 30

Tries: Riley, Arundel 2, Scruton, Molloy Goals: Hall 5

Leigh (6) 36

Tries: Brierley, Pownall, Beswick, Armstrong, Hopkins, Wilkes Goals: Ridyard 6

Championship leaders Leigh pulled off an amazing second-half comeback to upset Super League side Wakefield and reach the Challenge Cup quarter-finals.

Wakefield led 24-6 at the break through Chris Riley, Nick Scruton and two Joe Arundel tries, with Ryan Brierley crossing for the Centurions.

Leigh improved and Jonny Pownall, Bob Beswick and Tom Armstrong went over.

Media caption,

Five best tries as Leigh shock Wakefield

Despite Jon Molloy giving Wakefield the lead again, tries from Sam Hopkins and Oliver Wilkes secured the win.

Leigh progress to face another Super League side, Warrington, in the last eight.

Riley opened the scoring for the hosts after Leigh spilled the ball and allowed the former Warrington winger to gather possession in space and sprint half of the pitch unchallenged.

A perfectly weighted grubber from Tim Smith put in Arundel, before prop Scruton touched down from close range and Arundel got his second from a prodded Paul McShane kick.

Leigh made a number of handling errors in the first-half, but Brierley scored his 16th try in 15 appearances this season when he found a gap in a stretched defence.

The contrasting form book...

Leigh have now won 25 matches in a row including knocking Super League side Salford out in the last round of the Challenge Cup

James Webster's Wakefield have lost 12 of their last 13 matches in all competitions

The Championship side improved after the break and, after Wakefield's Danny Kirmond and Leigh's Liam Kay were sin binned, winger Pownall dived over for the Centurions.

Beswick powered over after a bulldozing run from dummy half, before Brierley's stunning chip and gather sent Armstrong in as the visitors fought back to level scores at 24-24.

Molloy's try under the posts put Wakefield back in front but Leigh were on terms again when Sam Hopkins hit an excellent line to crash over.

Forward Wilkes - who has had two spells at Belle Vue - secured the win against his former club after an Armstrong break inside his own half.

Leigh stand-off Ryan Brierley told BBC Sport:

"It was just about completing our sets and start playing in their half.

"It's in our DNA to throw the ball about and play entertaining rugby.

"To come to Wakefield and beat them on their own patch is a special occasion."

Image source, SWpix.com
Image caption,

Gareth Hock made his fourth appearance for Leigh since his move from Salford

Image source, SWpix.com
Image caption,

Ryan Brierley was named man-of-the-match in an impressive performance

Wakefield Trinity Wildcats: Hall, Owen, Collis, Arundel, Riley, Miller, T Smith, Scruton, McShane, Anderson, Washbrook, Kirmond, Kavanagh.

Replacements: Molloy, Paea, Lauitiiti, Simon.

Sin bin: Kirmond (45)

Leigh: McNally, Pownall, Platt, Armstrong, Kay, Ridyard, Brierley, Moimoi, Beswick, Hock, Goulden, Dixon, Acton.

Replacements: Haggerty, Hopkins, Wilkes, Barlow.

Sin bin: Kay (45)

Referee: Ben Thaler (RFL)

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