Leigh Leopards returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion on Friday night, moving within two points of the Super League play-off spots after a comprehensive 42-6 victory over a depleted Hull FC side. In front of a home crowd at the Leigh Sports Village, the Leopards dominated the encounter, with veteran winger Josh Charnley stealing the headlines by bagging a clinical hat-trick.
Dominance at the Leopards’ Den
While the Black and Whites showed grit in the opening exchanges, keeping the score tight at 12-6 by the interval, the gulf in experience became clear as the second half unfolded. Adrian Lam’s side turned on the style after the break, slicing through the visitors’ defence with relentless precision.
Charnley, who continues to close in on Ryan Hall’s all-time Super League try-scoring record, was in imperious form. His three tries—coming in the 17th, 35th, and 56th minutes—were the cornerstone of a performance that saw Leigh rack up eight tries in total. Further scores from AJ Towse, Umyla Hanley, Frankie Halton, David Armstrong, Bailey Hodgson, and Lachlan Lam ensured that the scoreboard reflected the hosts’ total command of the game. Hull’s sole consolation came through a first-half try from Tom Hardaker.
Injury Woes for Both Sides
The result was overshadowed slightly by fitness concerns, with Leigh winger AJ Towse forced off just four minutes into the second half. Head coach Adrian Lam confirmed post-match that Towse had suffered a hamstring strain, which is expected to sideline the youngster for at least three to four weeks.
“He’s strained his hamstring, so that’s definitely going to be at least three or four weeks,” Lam stated. There was more positive news regarding back-rower Frankie Halton, who was withdrawn as a precaution after a knock to the knee, with the boss expecting him to be available for their upcoming trip to Castleford Tigers on 5 June.
For Hull FC, the evening was equally difficult. Interim head coach Andy Last was forced to field a vastly youthful side after an injury crisis ruled out key players including Davy Litten, Lewis Martin, Amir Bourouh, Ligi Sao, and Brad Fash. Litten’s absence was particularly notable; Last revealed that the utility back is managing a persistent knee issue that has required scans to avoid long-term damage.
“We wanted to get that knee scanned to make sure we managed it… they (the medical team) decided it wasn’t advisable for him to play tonight,” Last explained regarding Litten’s withdrawal.
Why This Matters to the Super League Table
The result is a significant boost for Leigh, who have endured a difficult start to their 2026 campaign. With five wins and six losses now on their record, the Leopards are firmly back in the hunt for the top six. For Hull FC, however, the heavy defeat underlines the challenges facing interim boss Andy Last, who has been forced to rely on academy prospects to fill the gaps in an increasingly thin squad.
As the Super League prepares for a break, both clubs will be hoping to use the time to recover their walking wounded. For the Black and Whites, the return of experienced heads is becoming an urgent necessity if they are to climb away from the bottom end of the table.
FAQ
How bad is the Leigh Leopards injury blow following the Hull FC win?
Leigh winger AJ Towse is set to miss three to four weeks after straining his hamstring during the match. Meanwhile, forward Owen Trout missed the fixture due to “personal issues,” and Keanan Brand remains a long-term absentee after undergoing ankle reconstruction surgery.
What was the final score of Leigh Leopards vs Hull FC?
The final score was 42-6 in favour of the Leigh Leopards. Leigh dominated the second half after leading 12-6 at half-time, with Josh Charnley scoring three of their eight tries.
When do the two teams play next?
Leigh Leopards return to action on 5 June with an away trip to face Castleford Tigers. Hull FC will be looking to regroup during the upcoming break before returning to the field to address their current form and injury crisis.
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Despite the scoreline, interim coach Andy Last will likely have taken some positives from the debut appearances of young players such as Ben Johnson and Lennon Clark, who were thrown into the deep end against a formidable Leigh outfit. However, for the Super League as a whole, the disparity between a full-strength Leigh and a depleted Hull highlighted the thin margins that define success in this competitive division.
