Wigan dominate Leeds to return to winning ways
Photo courtesy of Richard Long
Wigan bounced back from defeat last week with an impressive performance to ease past Leeds.
Shaun Wane made four changes to his Wigan Warriors side that lost to Castleford Tigers last week. John Bateman, Sean O’Loughlin, Joe Greenwood and Liam Farrell came in for Dan Sarginson, Ben Flower, Liam Paisley and Callum Field. Greenwood made his Wigan debut.
Leeds Rhinos coach Brian McDermott made five changes to his team that lost to Catalans Dragons last week. Ryan Hall, Richie Myler, Jack Ormondroyd, Ashton Golding and Brad Singleton replaced Harry Newman, Ash Handley, Brad Dwyer, Anthony Mullally and Tom Holroyd.
The visitors got off to a great start at the DW Stadium. Sam Tomkins failed to deal with a high ball and Brett Ferres picked up the loose ball and scored from close range. Liam Sutcliffe failed to convert.
Wigan took the lead in the 13thminute. Josh Woods threw a fine cut-out pass to Liam Marshall who finished brilliantly in the corner. Tomkins converted to put his side 6-4 up.
Marshall was in for his second just minutes later after a quick passing move from the Warriors. Tomkins added the extras, Wigan 12-4 Leeds.
Tomkins added two penalty goals in quick succession midway through the first half after Leeds were caught interfering at the play-the-ball both times. Wigan were 16-4 to the good.
Woods was having an impressive first half and he got a well-deserved try due to a nice solo run. Tomkins’ boot made the score 22-4 at the break.
Luke Briscoe thought he had scored for the Rhinos early on in the second half but it was chalked off by the video referee for a knock on.
Farrell stretched Wigan’s lead when he burst through a gap in the Leeds defence to score from 40 metres out. Tomkins converted to put the Warriors 28-4 ahead.
The Warriors extended their lead on the hour mark. They were in complete control and Tommy Leuluai scooted over the line to score from close.
Joel Moon pulled one back for Leeds after Wigan failed to deal with a towering kick. Sutcliffe’s conversion attempt went wide.
Wigan front-rower Romain Navarette was sent to the sin for a crusher tackle on Ormondroyd.
Tomkins edged Wigan further in front with another penalty goal in the 73rdminute.
And in the dying embers, Tom Davies crossed the whitewash for Wigan following a break from Tony Clubb.
Marshall completed his hat-trick on the verge of the full-time hooter sounding after a sublime break from Morgan Escaré. Tomkins converted to seal a remarkable 46-8 victory for the Warriors.
Wigan: Tomkins; Davies, Bateman, Gildart, Marshall; Woods, Powell; Clubb, Leuluai, Navarette, Isa, Farrell, O’Loughlin. Subs: Hamlin, Greenwood, Escaré, Tautai.
Leeds: Walker; T Briscoe, Sutcliffe, L Briscoe, Hall; Moon, Myler; Garbutt, Parcell, Oledzki, Smith, Ferres, Cuthbertson. Subs: Ormondroyd, Golding, Walters, Singleton.
Starman: Liam Farrell had a solid game on his return from injury for Wigan. He made a couple of breaks and worked hard in defence.
Attendance: 10,645