91Èȱ¬

That just about does us for today.

A bumper day in the Challenge Cup as St Helens win a nail-biter against York Valkyrie to reach the Women's Challenge Cup final while Leigh Leopards held off a late attack against St Helens to reach the men's final.

Wigan's women take on their Leeds counterparts in the first tie of tomorrow's Challenge Cup semi-final double header with the chance to face St Helens at Wembley on 12 August.

Meanwhile, Wigan's men's side stand 80 minutes from meeting cross-town rivals Leigh in the final when they face Hull KR in the second semi-final tomorrow.

For now, thank you for joining us.

Leigh Leopards' Josh Charnley on 91Èȱ¬ One:

"We knew if it was close at half-time we'd have the mindset to come back in the second half.

"We have stuck to our systems and come away with the win. I put it on the line for the boys.

"You can see the workrate we have all put in."

Leigh Leopards back Zak Hardaker on 91Èȱ¬ One:

"Dreams are are there to be reached. We were always confident we could do something special but you have to do it on the day.

"We competed for 80 minutes. It's just so rewarding. It's unbelievable.

"There was talk about us in a relegation battle and that spurred us on."

Sam: I’m a Saints fan but congratulations to Leigh Leopards, amazing defence today. Congrats to Saints Women, what a fantastic performance. Two incredible matches today.

St Helens head coach Paul Wellens told 91Èȱ¬ One:

"In big games like that there are small margins and you can probably point to a lot of things during the course of the game and unfortunately the result didn't go our way today.

"I want to congratulate Leigh, the journey they have been on as a club to get to Wembley in their first season back in Super League is really special for them. But we're really disappointed.

"Games like this can turn pretty quickly. We got opened up on our right edge at the start of the second half and that was a momentum shift.

"I really enjoyed the way our guys stuck at it and finished the game strongly like we did last week, but the same as last week we're on the wrong end of the result."

Leigh Leopards boss Adrian Lam told 91Èȱ¬ One:

"I'm very proud of the efforts of everyone and it's a special moment for the town, which hasn't had much to cheer about.

"I'm happy for the owner Derek Beaumont and the staff involved.

"It took a mighty effort to beat the world champions and that's what it was."

Leigh Leopards half-back Lachlan Lam:

"I don't have too many words. No one really gave us a chance.

"We came here full of confidence and worked so hard for each other

"A lot of our boys fly under the radar."

Simon Baddeley: Wow! What a performance from Leigh Leopards That's what makes the Challenge Cup so brilliant.

Gareth Walker: Sport thrives on storylines and Leigh Leopards is a club littered with them, on and off the field. The passion and emotion across the club made for great TV. Gripping semi-final to watch.

Reece Duddle: Adrian Lam deserves that. Didn’t work out for him at Wigan but you can tell he really cares and he does have a plan. Terrified for tomorrow now though.

Lois Forsell
Former England hooker on 91Èȱ¬ One

It was a great game, it had everything. I think Leigh are probably so proud about the way they kept turning up for each other.

It was an opportunity for them to create history and you could see that tackle after tackle.

Leigh owner Derek Beaumont on 91Èȱ¬ One:

"I thought first half Saints played near-perfect rugby but we kept turning up for ourselves and defending.

"But eventually we got some good ball and wow.

"My wife and kids, we live and breath this club everyday, I'm a bit obsessed with it. I'm a competitor and I want to achieve.

"I always say you never fail at anything until you stop trying and we're still trying. But all we've done is get there but you'd rather lose a final than a semi."

Jamie Jones-Buchanan
Former England and Leeds second-rower on 91Èȱ¬ One

It's phenomenal by Leigh. What a fantastic game.

Lachlan Lam was outstanding but It was a 17-man contribution and they fully deserve to go to Wembley.

Jo Siddall: What a great game this has been. Glad I'm a neutral!

Michael Lavelle: Derek Beaumont leading Leigh out of the Wembley tunnel wearing a three piece leopard print suit is actually happening people and I can’t wait to see it.

Ben Joy: Yep, absolutely love it! Get in Leigh. That’s brilliant. What a win! Hats off to Derek Beaumont, made up for him and the boys They’re on their way to Wembley!

And to think, before the start of the season there was chatter that Leigh would be nailed-on relegation candidates.

Now look at them.

The 1895 Cup. Promotion. A controversial rebrand. A wave of new signings and causing an upset week after week in Super League.

And now a Challenge Cup final. What a colossal 18 months it's been for Leigh Leopards.

Kevin Brown
Former England international half-back on 91Èȱ¬ One

Wow. That's all you can say. We have been royally entertained. Leigh have come through by the tiniest of margins.

Image source, Getty Images

Half a century of waiting is over!

Leigh have held on and they will travel to Wembley next month. The Leopards have reached the Challenge Cup final for the first time since 1971 by beating the world champions.

What a stunning second-half performance from Adrian Lam's side to beat St Helens.

Saints looked like they might cause a late upset through Jonny Lomax's try but Tommy Makinson's missed conversion sends Leigh through.

Leigh owner Derek Beaumont's on the pitch already. It's pandemonium.

Time is quickly running out for St Helens.

Agnatius Paasi is off. Matty Lees is on.

Can they make a breakthrough and send it to golden point?

Josh Charnley is tackled in the in-goal area. Ooh it's tense.

John Kear
Wales coach on 91Èȱ¬ One

The workrate and effort has been so intense. I don't think I could summon the energy for extra time.

If Leigh win this, it's been about their desperation in defence.