Leigh Leopards ‘incredible’ Challenge Cup victory ‘equally as impressive’ as Leicester City’s Premier League heroics, says Jon Wilkin

BBC pundit and Super League winner Jon Wilkin compared Leigh’s dramatic Challenge Cup victory to the Premier League dream achieved by Leicester City back in 2016. 

The Leopards claimed their first cup title since 1971, with Lance Todd Trophy winner Lachlan Lam kicking the first-ever golden point winner at Wembley in front of a crowd of 58,213.

Matt Parcell’s late try sent the game into overtime as fellow hooker and team-mate Jez Litten scored the first try of the afternoon which included a historic first triple-header alongside the Women’s Challenge Cup final and the 1895 Cup final.

Influential half-back Lam, 25, scored Leigh’s response in the first half, before Tom Briscoe’s try looked to have secured the win on the 66th minute until Parcell’s 79th effort.

Leigh continue to prove their doubters wrong, having been second favourites to be relegated in their first season back in Super League, defeating Batley Bulldogs in the 2022 Championship Grand Final.

Adrian Lam’s side defeated Wakefield and York in the earlier stages of the prestigious cup competition, securing their place at Wembley with a 12-10 win over four-peat champions St Helens in the semi-finals at Warrington.

Wilkin, who won four Challenge Cups with St Helens during his career, hailed Leigh’s incredible rise to the one of Leicester City in 2016, who defied all odds to win the Premier League.

The former back-rower also showered praise on Hull KR in their defeat, having last won the Challenge Cup in 1980, losing in 1986 and 2015 finals.

Leigh Leopards rise compared to Leicester City’s 2016 Premier League dream

“Hull KR have delivered on the biggest stage. A classy performance from them, classy interactions from both coaches and all their players,” Wilkin said on the BBC following the clash.

“This is about Leigh, it’s about the Leopards. This is all about the story that has been building all year which is truly incredible.

“In 2016 we talked about Leicester City and what they did in the Premier League, well this is equally impressive in so many ways.”

EXCLUSIVE: Josh Charnley hails history-making moment which he believes may never be created again