BEN McNamara breathed a sigh of relief after Leigh Leopards withstood a fightback from Betfred Super League strugglers Huddersfield Giants to end a run of three straight defeats.
The Leopards led 28-6 in Thursday’s Round 13 opener at the John Smith’s Stadium, only for the competition’s bottom side to mount a stirring comeback which ultimately saw them fall short 28-24.
Leopards stand-off McNamara was named player of the match as he continued to step up during the injury-enforced absence of Gaz O’Brien with a try, an assist and four goals, and admitted it had been tough for them in recent weeks.
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“We’re not making it easy for ourselves at the moment,” McNamara told BBC Five Live Sports Extra. “It was good to get that win, especially going into a week off.
“I’m loving it. Gaz is a massive part of the team and I need to step in, and do my job for the boys. I feel like I’m doing a pretty decent job, but it’s a pleasure to play with these boys.
“It’s a close-knit group and I know everyone says it, but it’s a special bond.
“Hopefully in the future we can make it easy for ourselves, but it’s good to get the win.”
The win moved Leigh back up to third in the Super League standings, with their next match being away to play-off hopefuls Wakefield Trinity on June 15 as the competition takes a break for next week’s Betfred Challenge Cup final.
McNamara’s views were echoed by halfback partner Lachlan Lam, who also got on the scoresheet with a try and provided two assists in the win over Huddersfield to help keep the Leopards within touching distance of the top two.
“We’ve got a lot of competitive boys in this group and we care about each other a lot,” Lam, who also made four tackle busts, two clean breaks and had an average gain of 10 metres per carry against the Giants, told BBC Five Live Sports Extra.
“Three on the bounce isn’t in our DNA and it hurts a lot, so I’m glad we could come together, and even though we were a little bit scrappy at the end there I’m just happy to come away with the win for the boys.
“Although it wasn’t great, we did a few good things we can take away into our next game.”