LEIGH are Wembley bound for the first time since 1971 after a memorable semi-final 12-10 comeback win over 13-times winners St Helens at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
Adrian Lam’s side recovered from a 6-0 interval deficit with tries from Oli Holmes and Zak Hardaker and two Ben Reynolds goals to earn a crack at Wigan or Hull KR on August 12.
Saints winger Tommy Makinson had a conversion to force golden point extra time after Jonny Lomax swooped two minutes from time.
But Makinson missed with 38 seconds remaining before Leigh secured a sensational win to cue jubilant celebrations on the terraces and the pitch.
It was a fantastic performance from Super League’s second placed team against the world club champions.
Leopards did well to reach the break only trailing to Joey Lussick’s converted try after 13 minutes.
And they were forced into desperate defence in the final quarter as Saints, despite losing Sione Mata’utia to the sin bin, Lomax’s last gasp touch down threatened to break Leigh hearts but Makinson’s failure from the tee put Leigh within 80 minutes of lifting Wembley silverware for only the third time.
Leigh,avenging their 1987 semi-final defeat to Saints, looked to make it third time lucky at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, this season. having lost twice, including a pre-season friendly, to Warrington.
Noticeably, their early last tackle kicks came via Ben Reynolds and even Jack Hughes with little or nothing going through Lachlan Lam.
Leopards’ prized half back eventually exerted more of an influence, noticeably fielding a Tee Ritson kick behind his own try line to keep Saints scoreless.
But the stalemate only lasted until the 19th minute as Joey Lussick burrowed over from dummy half in front of the Leigh fans. Makinson, back from a lengthy hamstring absence, kicked the conversion.
The pressure had been building and was ramped up by Lussick’s huge 40-20. This time drives by the former Salford hooker and Alex Walmsley were repelled.
Josh Charnley then prevented Makinson diving in at the corner as Saints went in search of more points.
Unsurprisingly, Tom Amone and skipper John Asiata felt the pace, making way for Ben Nakubuwai and Matt Davis.
And Leigh were under the cosh again, forced to drop out with O’Brien snared behind his own line after allowing Dodd’s steepling kick to bounce.
Even Robbie Mulhern, famed for his extended game time this season, made way five minutes before the break.
Amone was back before the break. And fortunately for the Tongan prop his ball steal wasn’t punished with a poor Makinson penalty after the first half interval.
Within three minutes of the re-start Leigh were back in contention after a penalty award for a high shot on Hardaker.
Reynolds and Lam combined with the latter’s pass sending in Oli Holmes on an angled run to touch down. Reynolds goaled to bring the Leopards level.
Another penalty brought another chance with Ipape held up fractions short of a second try. But the momentum had shifted noticeably especially when Asiata returned and Jack Welsby’s loose carry 30 metres from his own line put Leigh on the front foot.
Lam’s last tackle grubber was missed by Tom Briscoe and Tee Ritson only for Hardaker to come through and touch down before the ball ran dead.
Reynolds missed the conversion but landed a 62nd minute penalty after being caught late in backfield by Mata’utia. That tackle brought the second row 10 minutes on the sidelines but driven on by Alex Walmsley the 12-men rallied strongly.
Konrad Hurrell had a potential try ruled out by referee Kendall and video official Marcus Griffiths.
Charnley was forced to concede a drop out before Makinson was held up over the line before Lomax’s basic knock on lifted the siege.
Still Saints powered forward with Hardaker producing a brilliant try saving tackle on Lomax before the latter squirmed through the tackles at the death.
Match stats: Leigh: O’Brien; Briscoe, Hardaker, Chamberlain, Charnley; Reynolds, Lam; Amone, Ipape, Mulhern, Holmes, Hughes, Asiata; substitutes: Nakubuwai, Wilde, Davis, Mellor.
Tries: Holmes (43), Hardaker (54) Goals: Reynolds 2/3 St Helens: Welsby; Makinson, Hurrell, Hopoate, Ritson; Lomax, Dodd; Walmsley, Lussick, Lees, Mata’utia, Bell, Knowles; substitutes: McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Paasi, Davies, Delaney.
Tries: Lussick (19), Lomax (78) Goals: Makinson 1/3 Referee: Chris Kendall Half-time: 0-6 Attendance: 12,113
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