Ellery’s son turns on the style! Umyla Hanley fires first-half hat-trick as Leigh beat Featherstone 26-14 to reach quarter-finals of Challenge Cup
- Hanley scored five tries in three games and his work rate was praised afterwards
- His father won the Challenge Cup four times with Wigan in a career spanning 20 years
- The 22-year-old needed just three minutes to score his first try of Saturday’s match
Umyla Hanley, son of all-time great Ellery Hanley, showed his father’s try-scoring class by grabbing a first-half hat-trick as Challenge Cup holder Leigh Featherstone defeated 26-14 to reach the quarter-finals.
Hanley, 22, who was in Leopards’ non-playing squad at Wembley seven months ago, hit five tries in three games as Leigh avoided slipping against their Championship opponents.
āHis work rate is incredible at the moment and he is an absolute powerhouse,ā said head coach Adrian Lam. Hanley’s father won the Challenge Cup four times with Wigan during a glittering 20-year playing career.
The youngster needed just three minutes to score his first try, but Manoa Wacokecoke kept Featherstone level with two tries.
Umyla Hanley scored a first-half hat-trick for Leigh against Featherstone in the Challenge Cup on Saturday
The 22-year-old is the son of the great Ellery Hanley (pictured), who won the Challenge Cup four times
Pressure is mounting on Hull coach Tony Smith after his side crashed out of the Challenge Cup, 50-6 at Huddersfield, a week after losing 54-4 to Leigh in the Super League.
Adam Smith scored four of Huddersfield’s ten tries against his old club. āWe missed too many tackles,ā Smith said. “It’s not a good feeling.”
Castleford put a poor start in Super League behind them to win 28-14 at Championship hopefuls Batley. Cas, who lost their first five league matches, finished in six attempts, with Innes Senior crossing twice.