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Magic WKND Day One Round Up
11 hrs
Day One of the 18th Magic WKND started with a bang at St. James’ Park in Newcastle, as Leigh Leopards met Catalans Dragons in an entertaining encounter.
The try celebrations were in full swing, with Betfred’s £180 up for grabs to raise money for MND Association.
The Leopards fought their way from a 0-12 deficit at St. James’ Park on Saturday after Matthieu Laguerre’s opening try and a magical effort from young fullback Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet gave the Dragons a confident start.
A magical try from Aispuro-Bichet ?
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) May 3, 2025
The @DragonsOfficiel further their lead ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/eiCgV1H2lc
Edwin Ipape hit back for Leigh as he charged over the line, before Ben McNamara also crossed early in the second stanza, reducing the difference to just two points.
And although they couldn’t prevent Reimis Smith from scoring after a perfectly timed kick from playmaker Luke Keary, they clawed their way back into the game once again as Ethan O’Neill was under the high ball and dotted down – with arguably one of the best try celebrations of Day One!
Best celebration so far?! ?@Betfred will be donating £180 to @mndassoc for each big try celebration at #MagicWKND with £1000 going to best one at the end of the weekend... Could we have the winner already? ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/FnAqjK7OjU
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) May 3, 2025
O’Neill’s try levelled things up, before a penalty goal edged the Leopards further in front. It then looked to be done and dusted when Owen Trout crashed over in the final quarter, although Keary pulled it back to within two to set up a pulsating finish.
Trout slips straight through for his first ever try for @LeighLeopardsRL and finishes with a great celebration! ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/6bvraGUE4n
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) May 3, 2025
After end-to-end action, Leigh withstood late pressure from their opponents, to claim their fourth Super League win in a row, as well as the first Magic victory of the weekend! (26-24).
Saturday’s second game saw Hull KR take on Salford Red Devils, who ensured they would remain top of the Super League table post-Magic Weekend.
Arthur Mourgue contributed a stunning 26-point personal haul as the Robins cruised to a 54-0 victory over their Magic opponents.
Dean Hadley opened the scoring for the league leaders, before hometown hero and NUFC fan Sam Luckley fittingly crashed over to for their second try - pulling out the iconic Alan Shearer celebration in front of the Gallowgate End just as he had done three years prior as a Red Devils player.
It just had to be! ?
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) May 3, 2025
The hometown hero @SLuckley pulls out the @AlanShearer AGAIN at #MagicWKND in front of the Gallowgate End ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/gpjVrz8UW8
Hull KR's third try scorer of the first forty would be Peta Hiku, before magic Mikey Lewis broke away and threw a pass to Jez Litten who went over - making it 24-0 at half-time.
James Batchelor continued the Robins' scoring spree, before Noah Booth had club debut to remember, as he produced a flying finish in the corner.
Their last two tries came courtesy of more magic from Mourgue, who also had a 100% success rate with the boot.
It's a #MagicWKND for @hullkrofficial ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/jtrw7Qmd48
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) May 3, 2025
A colossal St Helens v Leeds Rhinos clash brought the curtain down on Magic WKND Day One, and it was the Rhinos who had joy under the Saturday night lights at St. James' Park.
The Rhinos opened the scoring through Riley Lumb, before Lachlan Miller took in Alfie Edgell's pass and crossed the whitewash - giving it his version of the Spiderman in his try celebration!
Showing their class ??
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) May 3, 2025
Lachlan Miller finishes off the move before celebrating with the Spiderman ??
£180 to the @mndassoc thanks to @Betfred ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/EGzVvqALsV
A clever piece of play from Matt Whitley brought Saints back into the game early on in the second half, as he raced past multiple defenders and dummied his way to line.
Any hope was shortlived, however, as Jack Sinfield slotted a one-pointer and Morgan Gannon scored in the dying moments to wrap up a 4-17 victory for Leeds and Day One of Magic.
Don't forget to join us for Day Two of Magic WKND tomorrow (Sunday 4 May)!
