 | MATCH SUMMARY Wigan (16) 16
Tries: Tomkins, Godwin, Ashton
Goals: Tickle (2) Leeds (0) 24
Tries: Millard, McGuire, Sinfield, Burrow
Goals: Sinfield (4) |
Late tries by Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield earned Leeds victory as they came back from a 16-0 half-time deficit for a thrilling win. Keith Senior and Ali Lauitiiti wasted good chances before Joel Tomkins, Wayne Godwin and Chris Ashton gave Wigan an unlikely half-time lead.
Shane Millard and Danny McGuire caught the Wigan defence napping just after the break to give Leeds hope.
Wigan held on until Sinfield and Burrow went over in the last five minutes.
The visitors should have been well ahead before the first try of the night was scored by 18-year-old substitute Tomkins, who got his hand to Denis Moran's high ball when it was palmed back by centre Pat Richards.
Godwin's pace added a second try and the Leeds fans were stunned when Ashton followed up Richards' grubber kick to stretch Wigan's lead.
Early in the second half Matt Diskin's replacement Millard darted over from close range, and when McGuire burst through the defence to go over for Leeds' second try, it set up a dramatic final quarter.
The match continued at a breathless pace but it was not until the 74th minute that Sinfield managed to find a way through the defence and put Leeds ahead for the first time.
McGuire then set up Burrow to go over and seal a hugely entertaining win for the Rhinos.
Wigan coach Ian Millward: "It was a great game of rugby, both teams were outstanding.
"I'd have liked us to have a better kicking game in the second half but I couldn't be more proud of them.
"It was a really good team effort. A couple of errors cost us - but it was a great learning curve. If we play like that every week I'll be a happy coach."
Leeds coach Tony Smith: "It was without doubt the most character shown by any team I've coached. It was very charismatic of the boys.
"We had to do it the hard way. But they showed a lot of spirit, and I'm really proud of them."
Wigan: Ashton, Calderwood, Richards, Vaealiki, Dallas, O'Loughlin, Moran, Logan, Higham, Paleaaesina, Hargreaves, Tickle, Hansen.
Replacements: Brown, Seu Seu, Godwin, Tomkins.
Leeds: Mathers, Donald, Walker, Senior, Smith, McGuire, Burrow, Bailey, Diskin, Peacock, Lauitiiti, Ellis, Sinfield.
Replacements: Scruton, Poching, Jones-Buchanan, Millard.
Referee: R Silverwood (Dewsbury)
MMIX
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