Wakefield 12 Leigh 40.

Wembley moved a step closer for Leigh Leopards as a seven-try victory at Belle Vue sent Adrian Lam’s side into the Betfred Challenge Cup quarter-finals.

Winger Tom Briscoe, who lifted the trophy three times with Leeds Rhinos, and Aussie second row, Kai O’Donnell, notched doubles in this latest Leopards’ triumph.

Victory wasn’t as convincing as last month’s 32-0 Super League success with bottom of the table Trinity scoring two second half tries.

But it was still job done for the visitors, heading for a return to Super League against leaders Warrington on a five-match winning streak.

Leigh’s only previous victory over Trinity in the competition, dating back to 1897, came in their last meeting seven years ago.

This was always likely to be the second. And Leigh couldn’t have wished for a better start.

Jorge Taufua spilled Lachlan Lam’s kick and Leopards recycled the ball to their right for Briscoe to slide over. Reynolds converted from the touchline.

Reynolds was then instrumental in Leigh’s second try. His short kick was seized upon by John Asiata and the skipper powered over from close range for his first try of the season after 10 minutes.

Asiata’s knock on briefly tested his team’s defensive mettle, Zak Hardaker was equal to the challenge and Lino’s final play execution was poor.

After their slick start, Leigh laboured to retain the same standard until the 27th minute when Briscoe doubled his try tally. Gareth O’Brien supplied the final pass and Briscoe wrong footed Taufua to cross in the corner.

Try number four came six minutes from half-time; slick hands involving Lam and O’Brien saw O’Donnell pierce the paper-thin cover. Reynolds’ third goal put the visitors’ 22-0 in front.

Leigh, however, couldn’t repeat their Super League whitewash as Trinity came out early for the second period with renewed purpose.

Forced to drop out when Lam was pinned behind his own posts by Lino, Leopards then conceded as Jay Pitts plough over for Will Dagger to convert.

Any home hopes of a comeback were quickly dashed as O’Donnell crossed for his second try five minutes later.

Centre Ricky Leutele kept the scoreboard ticking over before Dagger scored Trinity’s second try after 66 minutes and also improved.

Leigh though had the last word. And you can’t keep a good man down with Josh Charnley touching down two minutes from time with his 15th try of the season. Reynolds kicked six of his seven conversion attempts.

Wakefield: Dagger; Lineham, Gaskell, Pratt, Taufua; Lino, Smith; Atoni, Bowes, Bowden, Proctor, Pitts, Crowther; substitutes: Hood, Battye, Eseh, Windrow.

Tries: Pitts (50), Dagger (66).

Goals: Dagger 2/2.

Leigh: O’Brien; Briscoe, Hardaker, Leutele, Charnley; Reynolds, Lam; Amone, Ipape, Mulhern, Holmes, O’Donnell, Asiata; substitutes: Seumanufagai, Davis, Wilde, Gannon.

Tries: Briscoe (2, 27), Asiata (11), O’Donnell (34, 55), Leutele (63), Charnley (78).

Goals: Reynolds 6/7.

Referee: Ben Thaler.

Half-time: 0-22.