Men
Play-Off Eliminators Round Up
29 Sep 2024
The chaos of the Play-Offs began this weekend, with two sensational Betfred Super League spectacles on show.
Friday night saw an explosive encounter unfold at the Salford Stadium, as Leigh Leopards came and delivered arguably their performance of the season.
It was electric inside the Salford Stadium with a record crowd on Friday night - surpassing any previous Super League and all-time stadium attendances, as Salford Red Devils hosted their first ever Play-Off game.
The first forty brought atonishing action, as Salford bombarded Leigh with relentless attack, but were unable to make the pressure pay.
HUGE DEFENSIVE EFFORT ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/M1QbWxmqEd
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) September 27, 2024
Marc Sneyd did edge the hosts in front with a penalty, however, taking the scores to 2-0 at half-time.
Tensions heightened in the second stanza, but the Leopards would draw first blood through their dangerous left edge. Matt Moylan built the momentum, before Ricky Leutele threw a slick pass to teammate Josh Charnley who dived in at the corner.
As try #249 in Charnley’s career, the veteran winger becomes sole second in Super League’s all-time try scoring charts, overtaking Danny McGuire.
Seven minutes later, the Leigh fans were sent into raptures as Edwin Ipape burst through the line, twisting and turning before racing towards the away end.
The Papa New Guinean was the star of the show in Friday's Eliminator as his looping pass found Gareth O’Brien, who was in support to touch down under the posts.
And again...2 tries in 6 minutes for @LeighLeopardsRL ?
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) September 27, 2024
Ipape ? O'Brien #SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/V3ExS86wJj
Ipape didn't stop there either - Leigh's third and match-winning try came from a piece of individual brilliance from the number 9, as Ipape's show and go further fooled the Red Devils defenders.
The final quarter was frantic as Salford scrambled - and despite repeated sets on the Leigh line, they were unable to capitalise on their possession until just three minutes from time.
With the Leopards short on numbers out-wide, Sneyd took advantage with a cross-field kick to find Ethan Ryan. And with time running out and a two-score gap, Sneyd needed to convert to give his side a chance, but was unable to do so.
It was a desperate final few minutes as Leigh's heroic defence held out to secure a gripping victory. Emotions were present for the Leopards who progress to their first ever Play-Off Semi-Final, while the Red Devils’ sensational season comes to a gutting end.
THIS IS WHAT IT MEANS ?@LeighLeopardsRL are 80 minutes from Old Trafford ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/L0KEdAZtWS
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) September 27, 2024
While Friday was a game of defence, a scintillating try fest took over the Halliwell Jones Stadium, before Golden Point drama in the latter stage.
Intensity levels were at all-time high and inside just 90 seconds, Warrington Wolves were over with Toby King, after Tommy Makinson was unable to collect the kick-off.
The momentum quickly swung the way of the visitors, however, as three terrific St Helens tries would follow. First, Makinson came up with a trademark try in the corner, before Mark Percival crashed over on the opposite edge, and Makinson completed his double on the 30-minute mark.
Going the short side ?@TommyMak21 is over for his second ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/p83x7pej38
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) September 28, 2024
On the backfoot, Sam Burgess’ men looked like they were heading into the dressing rooms 12-points behind, but some renowned magic from George Williams on the last tackle saw him skilfully offload to winger Matty Ashton who touched down - this topping off a fantastic first forty.
The compelling action continued in the second half, as Warrington were quick to level the scores – once again it was a stroke of genius from Williams which sent King over for his double.
.@George7Williams ? @TobyKing96 ?
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) September 28, 2024
Wow ??#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/XUbqYXuZ7l
Another Saints error then allowed Wolves to further capitalise as Ashton raced in for his second of the night. And the drama didn’t stop there, as Saints spectacularly hit back through Jon Bennison with moments left on the clock.
Percival had the nerves of steel to successfully convert from the touch line and take the game into a nail-biting Golden Point extra-time, and Williams, now almost certainly the hero of Warrington, stepped up to slice over a drop goal and win it for the Wolves.
As St Helens' season concluded, Warrington now find themselves just 80 minutes from their first Grand Final appearance since 2018.
That winning moment ?@George7Williams is the hero of @WarringtonRLFC tonight! ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/ZzYPIz8gHu
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) September 28, 2024
With the results of the Eliminators, the Betfred Super League Play-Off Semi-Finals are confirmed.
Semi-Final 1 will get underway on Friday night with Hull KR v Warrington Wolves, live exclusively on Sky Sports (K.O. 8pm). This will then be followed by Wigan Warriors v Leigh Leopards in Semi-Final 2 on Saturday (K.O. 5:30pm) - also shown live on Sky Sports.
Tickets for the Betfred Super League Grand Final are on sale now! Will you be joining us on Saturday 12 October? Tickets start at just £30 for adults, and £15 for juniors - secure your place today!
