Leigh boss Adrian Lam delivers Josh Charnley injury update after epic Salford win

Leigh Leopards boss Adrian Lim watched his side roar into the play-off semi finals for the first in their history at Salford's expense but the occasion was marred by an injury to Josh Charnley

Elated Adrian Lam admitted he loves his Leigh side “dearly” after they made history with a thrilling play-offs victory at Salford.

The Leopards, who have now won 11 of their last 13 games, roared into the semi-finals for the first time.

They hit back from a 2-0 interval deficit to take firm control of a pulsating sudden-death tie with second half tries from Josh Charnley, Gareth O’Brien and the brilliant Edwin Ipape.

Leigh - who could barely get a win in the first half of the campaign - visit champions Wigan or second-placed Hull KR next week for a maiden Grand Final appearance. They only snuck into the top-six on the final round last week but no team in Super League wants to face them right now. Boss Lam enthused: “I’m so proud. They showed such courage and I’m just happy for the whole town.

“This team is very connected as a group and I love them dearly. We’re losing a lot of players at the end of the season and they’re playing for each other. The resilience and physicality was great. If we’d lost one game in that second half of the season we wouldn’t be here. But what a night.

“We just want to enjoy the moment. I’ve been in rugby league a long time and these moments don’t come around too often.”

The game was overshadowed by a serious neck injury to Charnley. The ex-England winger scored his 248th Super League try in the 53rd minute. That saw him surpass Danny McGuire’s haul and move into second place in the competition’s all-time list. But ten minutes later Charnley, 33, flipped over and caught his neck in an awkward position after chasing down Ryan Brierley. He was stretchered off and Lam said: “He’s on his way to hospital in a brace - but he is conscious.”

O’Brien added a converted try on his 200th career appearance following a brilliant Ipape break, the outstanding hooker who also scored.Ethan Ryan managed a late try for Salford, who led via Marc Sneyd’s penalty, but it was too late.

Red Devils boss Paul Rowley said: “I don’t think we could have done any more. We had the better of the first half but Edwin Ipape is too good if they get the lion's share of possession. Credit to Leigh. It was a great game.”