Lachlan Lam: Leigh Leopards’ Challenge Cup final hero chasing more honours after Wembley triumph | Rugby League News

Leigh half-back Lachlan Lam was awarded the Lance Todd Trophy for participant of the match after his aspect’s 17-16 Wembley win over Hull KR; watch Leigh tackle Betfred Super League leaders Catalans Dragons reside on Sky Sports Arena from 2.30pm on Saturday (3pm kick-off)

Leigh match-winner Lachlan Lam holds aloft the Lance Todd Trophy following his aspect’s Challenge Cup triumph

A participant named Lam scoring a attempt to a drop aim to assist his workforce win the Betfred Challenge Cup? Stop us when you’ve got heard this one earlier than.

Just like his father 21 years in the past, Lachlan Lam can now name himself a winner of rugby league’s oldest and most prestigious knock-out competitors after enjoying a starring position in Leigh Leopards’ first Wembley triumph since 1971.

The half-back began and completed the assault for Leigh’s first attempt in Saturday’s final in opposition to Hull Kingston Rovers and was then available to complete the sport itself with an 84th-minute drop aim – the primary of his profession – in golden level additional time to make the rating 17-16, all along with his dad and head coach Adrian watching on.

“It’s one of those ones where I can slowly check it off the list,” Lam mentioned when requested post-match the way it felt to hitch his father or mother as a Cup winner.

“He’s got a lot on his resume, and he likes to remind me all the time.

“It’s good to have one again so he cannot use that anymore. There are just a few others I’m making an attempt to chase down there now.”

Lachlan’s Lance Todd award is something Adrian was not honoured with. Instead, it was Wigan Warriors team-mate Kris Radlinski who picked up that particular accolade in the 21-12 win over St Helens at Murrayfield in 2002.

Adrian Lam won the Challenge Cup with Wigan as a player in 2002

Unsurprisingly though, his father was one of the first people to approach the match-winner after his team-mates on the field had finished mobbing him, with the pair sharing a lengthy embrace in the immediate aftermath of the dramatic victory.

Leopards boss Lam revealed afterwards he had a feeling when full-back Gareth O’Brien, who had missed an early drop-goal attempt in extra time, shaped to pass his son the ball that the game-clinching moment was imminent.

That led to an outpouring of emotion from the man who has been a guiding hand for his son’s rugby career from when Lachlan was first running around with a ball in his hands.

“It was an actual particular second,” Lam senior said. “There had been instances this week the place I considered how fortunate I’m to have him right here for my workforce and enjoying nicely.

There was a very bizarre second the place we went to take the sector aim, the ball got here again to him and I simply thought ‘he will win us the sport right here’ – and it occurred like that and I used to be like ‘what’s simply occurred?’.

Adrian Lam on Lachlan Lam’s cup-winning drop aim

“There was a really weird moment where we went to take the field goal, the ball came back to him and I just though ‘he’s going to win us the game here’ – and it happened like that and I was like ‘what’s just happened?’.

“I’m actually happy with him, however I’ve coached him since he was six and the factor that has gone by means of my thoughts is we have been in the exact opposite place various instances and been heartbroken.

“That was like a serendipity moment, so I’m very proud of him and very proud of the team.”

The Challenge Cup triumph follows on from Papua New Guinea worldwide Lam lately extending his contract with Leigh till the tip of the 2025 season, underlining how a lot he has change into part of the Leopards revolution since becoming a member of halfway by means of final yr.

Adrian and Lachlan Lam stroll down from the Royal Box at Wembley after accumulating their winners’ medals

Having gained NRL expertise with 31 appearances for Sydney Roosters after coming by means of the youth system on the 15-time Australian premiers, the 25-year-old has rapidly established himself as a presence on and off the sector at Leigh Sports Village and that’s one thing he’s relishing.

“I’ve got a bigger role than I had in the past at this club,” Lam mentioned. “I’m a leader in this team and I want to try to lead by my actions on the field, not just what I’m saying to the team.

“I believe that is the most important position, my management off the sector in addition to work arduous on it.”

With a third trophy in 18 months now in the bag for Leigh, following on from 2022’s 1895 Cup and Betfred Championship Grand Final double, attention now switches back to the closing stages of the Betfred Super League campaign.

Bucking the trend for promoted sides, the Leopards are currently third on points difference with six games of the regular season remaining and face a blockbusting clash at home to leaders Catalans Dragons on Saturday live on Sky Sports.

There will be more than a few in this corner of the North-West now dreaming of adding Super League glory to cup success and Lam praised his team-mates for how they have continually defied the naysayers since Leigh’s return to rugby league’s top flight.

“The narrative has modified over the yr,” Lam said. “Speaking to some shut mates who play within the competitors firstly of the yr it was ‘you may win that sport; you may win that sport’.

“But a month goes by, and we’ve won three of four; another month goes by, and we’ve won six of eight.

“We’re working arduous for one another, and good issues come from arduous work.”

Watch Challenge Cup winners Leigh Leopards tackle Super League leaders Catalans Dragons on Saturday, August 19 reside on Sky Sports Arena from 2.30pm (3pm kick-off). Also stream on NOW.