Leigh Rout Ends St Helens' Historic Playoff Run

Leigh Leopards secured their place in the Super League playoffs with a 48-10 home victory over St Helens, ending one of the competition's longest-running postseason records. The Guardian reported that Saints' defeat means England's top-flight playoff series will be staged without them for the first time since 1962.

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St Helens entered the match needing a win to keep their season alive going into the final weekend, but an injury-hit squad missing more than a dozen first-team players could not contain Leigh. Josh Charnley opened the scoring with the 281st try of his career, extending his record as Super League's all-time leading try-scorer. His future was also settled in memorable fashion: Charnley celebrated by pretending to sign a contract, and Leigh announced his extension inside the stadium moments later.

David Armstrong completed a break from deep to give Leigh a 12-0 advantage, but Saints mounted a response. Tristan Sailor's pass created a corner try for Jacob Douglas, then Sailor scored after a break by Harry Robertson. Sailor converted one of the two tries, cutting the deficit to 12-10.

Leigh regained control before the interval. Umyla Hanley finished a break, and Adam Cook scored on the stroke of halftime to establish a three-score cushion. The Guardian's match report identified errors at important moments as a major problem for St Helens after they had worked their way back into contention.

The decisive second-half sequence followed a high tackle by Mark Percival on Armstrong. Percival was sent to the sin bin, leaving Saints a player short, and Edwin Ipape forced his way over beneath the posts. Hanley added his second try before Jacob Alick-Wiencke and Robbie Mulhern completed Leigh's scoring late in the match.

The result confirms Leigh's top-six finish and closes St Helens' 2026 campaign before the playoffs. Saints had appeared in every playoff edition of the Super League era and have won a record 10 titles during the summer competition. They are preparing for a change of leadership, with Australia coach Kevin Walters due to take charge next season. For Leigh, the immediate consequence is a confirmed postseason place after a commanding performance in a match carrying major stakes for both clubs.