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Friday, 4 October, 2002, 20:49 GMT 21:49 UK
Wigan thrash sorry Leeds
Wigan skipper Andy Farrell holds off Matt Diskin.
Andy Farrell led from the front for Wigan
Wigan 41-18 Leeds

Wigan Warriors are one game away from the Super League Grand Final after a crushing win over Leeds Rhinos at the JJB Stadium on Friday.

Stuart Raper's men will play the loser of Saturday's match between St Helens and Bradford for a place in the showpiece finale at Old Trafford.

Leeds had won on their last two trips to Wigan, but a careless start in the elimination semi-final left the visitors 19-0 down by half time.

Warriors's skipper Andy Farrell opened the scoring with a 10th-minute penalty.


As a team, we played very well and everyone's contribution was outstanding
Stuart Raper
Wigan coach

And Leeds' indiscipline cost them again when they were reduced to 12 men, as Chev Walker was sent to the sin bin for a play-the-ball infringement.

Dropped passes then brought an end to two promising Leeds moves, and Wigan quickly made them pay.

Full-back Kris Radlinski took Craig Smith's pass to cross for his 19th try of the season before left-winger Shaun Briscoe finished decisively, and Farrell grabbed a third try on 23 minutes.

The skipper then kicked his third goal before Lam added an injury-time drop goal to leave Leeds out of touch by the break.

A swift response was needed from the Rhinos, but Farrell kicked another penalty seconds into the second period.

Wigan kept up the pressure and Danny Tickle looked unlucky to be denied a try by the video referee, before Kevin Sinfield battled over the line at the other end to open Leeds' account.


We've had opportunities to get to two finals and not been good enough and that's disappointing
Daryl Powell
Leeds coach

It did not prove to be a turning point, however, as the impressive Farrell increased the gap to 27-6 with his second try just before the hour mark.

Matt Adamson cut the deficit again in the 65th minute when he went over in the corner after good work from Sinfield, and a magnificent kick from Ben Walker kept Leeds' dim hopes alive.

Ryan Sheridan then got another from close range for Leeds with four minutes remaining but time was against them.

Wigan made sure when Dave Furner, who joins Leeds at the end of the season, powered over from 10 yards out.

And a desperately disappointing evening for the Rhinos was made complete when Martin Aspinwall picked up a loose ball to dive over in injury time.


Wigan: Radlinski, Aspinwall, Connolly, Hodgson, Briscoe, O'Neill, Lam, O'Connor, Newton, C. Smith, Cassidy, Furner, Farrell. Replacements: Tickle, Sculthorpe, O'Loughlin, Howard.

Leeds: Cummins, Calderwood, C. Walker, Senior, Pratt, B. Walker, Sheridan, Ward, Diskin, McDermott, Hay, Adamson, Sinfield. Replacements: McDonald, Carroll, Poching, Burrow.

Referee: R Smith (Castleford)

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BBC Five Live's Dave Woods
"Wigan were so determined"
Wigan coach Stuart Raper
"We know we still have a lot to do"
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