Lachlan Lam: Leigh Leopards’ Problem Cup remaining hero chasing extra honours after Wembley triumph | Rugby League Information

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 Tremendous League leaders Catalans Dragons reside on Sky Sports activities Area from 2.30pm on Saturday (3pm kick-off)

A participant named Lam scoring a attempt to a drop purpose to assist his staff win the Betfred Problem Cup? Cease us you probably have heard this one earlier than.

Identical to 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 taking part in a starring function in Leigh Leopards’ first Wembley triumph since 1971.

The half-back began and completed the assault for Leigh’s first attempt in Saturday’s remaining towards Hull Kingston Rovers and was then readily available to complete the sport itself with an 84th-minute drop purpose – 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 is a type of ones the place I can slowly test it off the checklist,” Lam mentioned when requested post-match the way it felt to affix his mother or father as a Cup winner.

“He is received quite a bit on his resume, and he likes to remind me on a regular basis.

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

Lachlan’s Lance Todd award is one thing Adrian was not honoured with. As a substitute, it was Wigan Warriors team-mate Kris Radlinski who picked up that exact accolade within the 21-12 win over St Helens at Murrayfield in 2002.

Adrian Lam gained the Problem Cup with Wigan as a participant in 2002

Unsurprisingly although, his father was one of many first individuals to method the match-winner after his team-mates on the sector had completed mobbing him, with the pair sharing a prolonged embrace within the fast aftermath of the dramatic victory.

Leopards boss Lam revealed afterwards he had a sense when full-back Gareth O’Brien, who had missed an early drop-goal try in additional time, formed to cross his son the ball that the game-clinching second was imminent.

That led to an outpouring of emotion from the person who has been a guiding hand for his son’s rugby profession from when Lachlan was first working round with a ball in his arms.

“It was an actual particular second,” Lam senior mentioned. “There have been occasions this week the place I considered how fortunate I’m to have him right here for my staff and taking part in nicely.

There was a very bizarre second the place we went to take the sector purpose, the ball got here again to him and I simply thought ‘he’ll 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 purpose

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

“I am actually pleased with him, however I’ve coached him since he was six and the factor that has gone via my thoughts is we have been in the exact opposite place quite a few occasions and been heartbroken.

“That was like a serendipity second, so I am very pleased with him and really pleased with the staff.”

The Problem Cup triumph follows on from Papua New Guinea worldwide Lam just 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 via final yr.

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

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

“I’ve received an even bigger function than I had up to now at this membership,” Lam mentioned. “I am a frontrunner on this staff and I wish to attempt to lead by my actions on the sector, not simply what I am saying to the staff.

“I feel that is the most important function, my management off the sector in addition to work exhausting on it.”

With a 3rd trophy in 18 months now within the bag for Leigh, following on from 2022’s 1895 Cup and Betfred Championship Grand Remaining double, consideration now switches again to the closing levels of the Betfred Tremendous League marketing campaign.

Bucking the pattern for promoted sides, the Leopards are at the moment third on factors distinction with six video games of the common season remaining and face a blockbusting conflict at residence to leaders Catalans Dragons on Saturday reside on Sky Sports activities.

There might be quite a lot of on this nook of the North-West now dreaming of including Tremendous League glory to cup success and Lam praised his team-mates for the way they’ve regularly defied the naysayers since Leigh’s return to rugby league’s high flight.

“The narrative has modified over the yr,” Lam mentioned. “Talking to a couple shut mates who play within the competitors firstly of the yr it was ‘you would possibly win that recreation; you would possibly win that recreation’.

“However a month goes by, and we have gained three of 4; one other month goes by, and we have gained six of eight.

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

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