Wigan 22-4 Leeds

A comprehensive second half performance from Wigan disposed of an injury ravaged Leeds Rhinos at the DW stadium.

The first half produced just one try coming via centre George Carmont, off the back of a move that swooped from right to left allowing the number four to cross the line unopposed.

The Warriors did well to repel a spirited Leeds side in the first 40 minutes that probed on many occasions inside the oppositions twenty.

At the interval the Warriors led 6-0, Pat Richards converting the only try. During the break much was made of the fact that Wigan had already made 7 of their 12 interchanges, hooker Mark Riddell limping off the pitch on two separate occasions.

In the second stanza the Rhinos continued to battle admirably. Good fortune for the Yorkshire outfit allowed Ryan Hall to touch down in the corner following an over-ran pass by the dummy runner for an deserved try considering their fruitless efforts during the first half.

Any hopes of the young and depleted Rhinos outfit coming away with anything were dashed in an 11 minute period that brought 16 points for the Warriors. Darrell Goulding finishing well in the corner on two occasions with a Joel Tomkins touchdown sandwiched in-between.

Goulding’s first try came after a poor kick chase by Leeds allowed Amos Roberts to return the ball over the half way line. A quick play of the ball followed and a Richards dummy allowed him to break the defensive line before being dragged down. Two play-the-balls later and Goulding was in the corner, eventual man of the match Thomas Leuluai directing traffic at the decisive ruck.

Following this purple patch the game was well and truly beyond that of the Leeds side as tiredness and fatigue evidently began to set in. A 71 minute penalty goal from Pat Richards took his personally tally for the night to eight points and put the game to bed for the Wigan.