Fireworks, VAR delays and a lot of leopardskin - Super League is back

The Leopard’s Den hosted a pre-match light show and pyrotechnics to get the crowd warmed up on a cold winter’s night in Greater Manchester.

Equipment used: Canon EOS R3 using 16-35mm zoom lens (set at 16mm) 1/1,250th sec, f3.2, ISO 4000

Through the smoke, pyrotechnics and light show, the teams take to the field for the opening match of the season.

Equipment used: Canon EOS R3 using 16-35mm zoom lens (set at 16mm) 1/1,000th sec, f3.2, ISO 4000

The Leigh Leopards dancers prepare to take to the field to entertain the fans before the action starts.

Equipment used: Canon EOS R3 using 16-35mm zoom lens (set at 16mm) 1/800th sec, f2.8, ISO 4000

The teams emerge from the tunnel as they start their Betfred Super League season at Leigh Sports Village.

Equipment used: Canon EOS R3 using 135mm lens, 1/2,000th sec, f2, ISO 2500

Robbie Mulhern, of Leigh Leopards, stops Tom Holroyd, of Leeds Rhinos, in mid-air.

Equipment used: Canon EOS R3 using 400mm lens, 1/1,600th sec, f2.8, ISO 3200

A slow shutter speed to catch Danny Levi, the Leeds hooker, as he charges at the Leigh defence.

Equipment used: Canon EOS R3 using 400mm lens, 1/15th sec, f4.5, ISO 100

Using a slow shutter speed again, this time to capture Leigh’s Papua New Guinean hooker Edwin Ipape. I have included two frames that use a slow shutter speed in this week’s gallery purely because I couldn’t decide which one I preferred!

Equipment used: Canon EOS R3 using 400mm lens, 1/15th sec, f4.5, ISO 100

So many messages on this frame of Leigh’s Josh Charnley. There is the dedication to his nan and the wolf tattoo but what caught my eye were the handwritten affirmations on his wristband, which read: “Friends. Team-mates. Enjoy it!”

Equipment used: Canon EOS R3 using 400mm lens, 1/1,600th sec, f2.8, ISO 3200

Delight in the crowd after the TMO awarded Leigh a try. People say VAR takes too long in football. I have to say this decision definitely was not quick.

Equipment used: Canon EOS R3 using 135mm lens, 1/2,000th sec, f2, ISO 2500

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