McNamara leads Leigh to victory over dad's Dragons

Betfred Super League

Leigh (12) 26

Tries: Ipape, McNamara, O'Neill, Trout Goals: McNamara 5

Catalans (14) 24

Tries: Laguerre, Aispuro-Bichet, Smith, Keary Goals: Aispuro-Bichet 4

Ben McNamara's personal 14-point haul led a comeback win as Leigh Leopards beat his dad Steve's Catalans Dragons in the 2025 Magic Weekend opener.

McNamara scored a try and kicked five goals out of five after the Dragons had raced into an early lead through Matthieu Laguerre and Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet's brilliant solo effort.

Edwin Ipape and McNamara brought Leigh back to within two points at half-time and after Reimis Smith widened the margin once more, tries from Ethan O'Neill and Owen Trout, plus McNamara's perfect kicking record put Leigh in control.

Luke Keary, after his controversial remarks about Super League in midweek, scored a try to open up the game one more but Leigh held firm for a win that takes them second in Super League.

More to follow.

Leigh: Hodgson; McIntosh, Niu, Badrock, Charnley; McNamara, Lam; Ofahengaue, Ipape, Mulhern, O'Neill, Trout, Liu.

Interchanges: Wilde, Brogan, Davis, Dwyer.

Catalans: Aispuro-Bichet; Yaha, Laguerre, Smith, Cotric; Keary, Fages; Pangai Jr, Garcia, Bousquet, Sims, Whitehead, Partington.

Interchanges: Da Costa, Satae, Navarrete, Sironen.

Referee: Liam Moore.