Farrell double rumbles Rhinos

• Wigan Warriors beat Leeds Rhinos at Emerald Headingley Stadium.
• A double from Liam Farrell helped the Warriors to a third successive win in Super League.
• FT | Leeds Rhinos 6-19 Wigan Warriors.

A Liam Farrell double helped Wigan Warriors overcome a resolute Leeds Rhinos side at Emerald Headingley Stadium on Thursday evening.

There was also tries from Zak Hardaker and Jackson Hastings on the night, helping to extend the Cherry and White’s winning run in 2021.

The game began steadily, with neither side really threatening to score in the opening quarter of an hour.

The stalemate was broken in the 19^th minute through stand-in centre Liam Farrell. The Cherry and Whites made the most of Leeds conceding another set of six, moving the ball down the left edge to the hands of Farrell. The Englishman glided between two Rhinos defenders to touch down. 

Lam’s men added a second in the 34^th minute through a moment of invention from Zak Hardaker. The full back took the ball 30 metres out and picked out a brilliant chip-and-chase to the left corner. Showing a clean pair of heels, Hardaker ran beyond the retreating defence to collect the ball and score in the corner.

The home side came out fighting in the second half and were rewarded for their efforts through a try from Alex Mellor. A Tom Briscoe offload close to the touchline found Mellor inside to touch down.

After conceding a penalty approaching the hour mark, Wigan immediately won the ball back when Leeds were unable to find touch from the resulting kick.

A well worked Warriors set then created their third try of the evening, coming through Jackson Hastings. The Australian unveiled a fantastic dummy to sell a couple of Rhinos defenders and dive over for his first of the Betfred Super League campaign.

Wigan sealed the victory in the 73^rd minute when Farrell crossed for his second. A great weaving run from Hastings freed up Farrell, who timed his run to perfection to receive the ball and to gallop home.

Hardaker added a last minute drop goal to bring the final score to 6-19.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Leeds Rhinos: Jack Broadbent, Tom Briscoe, Alex Mellor, Alex Sutcliffe, Luke Briscoe, Kyle Eastmond, Rhyse Martin, Mikolaj Oledzki, Kruise Leeming, Matt Prior, Sam Walters, James Donaldson, Cameron Smith.

Interchanges: Brad Dwyer, Jarrod O’Connor, Morgan Gannon, Corey Hall.

Try: Mellor (45′)

Goal: Martin (1/1)

Wigan Warriors: Zak Hardaker, Jake Bibby, Willie Isa, Liam Farrell, Umyla Hanley, Thomas Leuluai, Jackson Hastings, Brad Singleton, Sam Powell, Tony Clubb, John Bateman, Morgan Smithies, Oliver Partington.

Interchanges: Joe Bullock, Ethan Havard, Joe Shorrocks, Harry Smith.

Tries: Farrell (19′, 73′), Hardaker (34′), Hastings (59′)

Goals: Hardaker (1/4)

Drop goal: Hardaker (80′)

Referee: Chris Kendall.