Wigan (6) 28
Tries: Carmont, Hansen, J Tomkins, S Tomkins Goals: Richards 6
Leeds (10) 10
Tries: McGuire, Donald Goals: Sinfield
 Pat Richards kicked superbly for the Warriors |
Wigan scored 28 unanswered points to beat Leeds and close the gap on the Super League top four. The Rhinos looked in control when they led 10-0 on 25 minutes after tries by Danny McGuire and Scott Donald. But George Carmont hit back shortly before the break for a try which sparked the Warriors into life. They dominated the second half with Harrison Hansen and brothers Sam and Joel Tomkins also crossing, while Pat Richards finished with six goals. Wigan came into the game on the back of four consecutive wins but Leeds had struck late in the last two weeks to beat both Wakefield and Hull KR. In a tight opening, Danny McGuire came closest for Leeds but Amos Roberts raced back to catch him in the corner while Hansen and Paul Prescott had to be alert to deny both McGuire and Kylie Leuluai. The Rhinos started to earn better field position and they were rewarded on 22 minutes when Danny Buderus passed to Burrow who sent half-back partner McGuire through to the line.  | 606: DEBATE |
They extended the advantage soon after when Michael Ratu, who had been hauled down by Cameron Phelps moments earlier, set up Donald for a second try in the corner. Wigan gave themselves a chance four minutes before the break when Carmont cut inside from a Phelps pass to go over and Richards converted to make it 10-6. They made the perfect start to the second half and a delightful flick pass by Sam Tomkins set up Carmont and after Thomas Leuluai kicked the ball through, Hansen grounded it just before the line for a try which was finally awarded by the video referee. The home side extended their lead when they were awarded a couple of quick penalties and the ball was spread out wide to Joel Tomkins to crash over. Leeds tried to get back into it but just as they started to look dangerous they were dealt another blow when Danny Buderus was stretchered off with an ankle injury on 66 minutes. Sam Tomkins capped a superb performance by putting the game beyond doubt with Wigan's fourth try. Richards started it off when he broke from inside his own half and Leuluai then took up the attack before sending Tomkins in. Richards converted and then added two more penalties to complete the comfortable win.
Wigan coach Brian Noble: "I thought they punched holes in us in the first half, they were all over us but I though the second half was up there with what we have done. "We had energy, we had vigour, we were meeting their bigger blokes as we should have done in the first half. "We also looked after the ball a bit better, forced a few errors and we know we will score points if we get to the right end of the field." Leeds coach Brian McClennan "Wigan were very, very good. They got momentum in the second half and never let go. "Well done to them, they kept the pace up and they did a job on us. "I don't think we were going that well even at 10-0. Our execution was down a bit."
Wigan: Phelps, Roberts, Gleeson, Carmont, Richards, S Tomkins, Leuluai, Coley, Riddell, Prescott, J Tomkins, Hansen, Flanagan.
Replacements: Goulding, Fielden, Paleaaesina, Mossop. Leeds: Smith, Donald, Ratu, Senior, Hall, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, Buderus, Peacock, Jones-Buchanan, Ablett, Sinfield.
Replacements: Diskin, Lauitiiti, Burgess, Worrall. Referee: P Bentham (Warrington)
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