Wigan lose at Leeds

• Match Report as Wigan Warriors lose against Leeds Rhinos on Thursday evening.
• Wigan scored a try either side of half time through Bevan French and Jake Bibby.
• FT | Leeds Rhinos 42-12 Wigan Warriors.

Leeds raced into a first half lead to put them out of reach and hand Wigan defeat at Headingley on Thursday evening.

Leeds raced into a first half lead as they crossed twice through Sutcliffe and Bentley. Bevan French hit back on the right wing but two further scores from Martin and Smith saw Leeds in at the interval with a 24-6 lead.

Newman and Dwyer added scores for Leeds either side of a Jake Bibby effort before a late score from Mustapha confirmed victory for Leeds at Headingley.

Report

Leeds started rapidly, working their way into the Wigan half before a testing kick on the last couldn’t be collected by Wigan, the loose ball was picked up by Liam Sutcliffe to get the early score, converted by Rhyse Martin to make it 6-0 to the Rhinos.

James Bentley doubled the lead a few moments later, cutting through the line from a well-timed pass inside from Richie Myler. Rhyse Martin once again added the extras to put Leeds 12-0 up after 10 minutes.

Wigan hit back immediately though as they raced up to the Leeds goal line, a ball went to ground but Kai Pearce-Paul batted it into the hands of Jai Field who darted through before firing a pass out to the right wing to see Bevan French over in the corner. Harry Smith added the conversion from out wide and it was 12-6.

Moments later, Ash Handley made a break down the left win but Jai Field gave chase to bring him down and keep Leeds at bay. Rhyse Martin did extend the lead in the 28th minute though, Leeds were held up before Martin went over from close range, converting his own effort to make it 18-6.

Leeds added a fourth effort just four minutes later, this time finding an overlap on the left edge to see Cameron Smith stretch out an arm over the goal line to get the ball down. Martin was successful once more with the conversion and Leeds had the 24-6 advantage.

A crossfield kick from Cade Cust with half time approaching floated perfectly into the hands of Kai Pearce-Paul but the Leeds defence rushed in to stop the second rower getting the ball down over the line and the score remained 24-6 at the break.

Wigan piled on the pressure in the second half, Bevan French immediately asked the questions to force a goal line drop out before Jake Bibby was inches short. With Wigan on the attack again, the ball went to ground close to the Leeds goal line for Ash Handley to pick it up and race away. Liam Marshall chased Handley down to stop him in his tracks just short of the line but Newman was in support to dive over on the next play, the effort was converted to make it 30-6.

Wigan responded immediately though and Bevan French turned provider, putting a grubber kick through close to the uprights for Jake Bibby to collect and put down just before the dead ball line. Harry Smith added the conversion from in front of the sticks and it was 30-12 with 25 minutes to go.

Brad Dwyer extended the Rhinos lead heading into the final stages with a show and go to find himself some space to crash over. Martin added the extras and Leeds had the 36-12 lead. Mustapha rounded off the evening for Leeds with a short burst in the middle of the field to muscle his way over, a conversion from Rhyse Martin confirmed a 42-12 win for Leeds.

Gallery:

Leeds Rhinos: Zak Hardaker, David Fusitu’a, Harry Newman, Liam Sutcliffe, Ash Handley, Cameron Smith, Richie Myler, Mikolaj Oledzki, Jarrod O’Connor, Bodene Thompson, James Bentley, Rhyse Martin, James Donaldson.

Interchange: Brad Dwyer, Yusuf Aydin, Muizz Mustapha, Morgan Gannon.

Tries: Sutcliffe (4’), Bentley (10′), Martin (28′), Smith (32′), Newman (46′), Dwyer (63′), Mustapha (78′)

Goals: Martin 7/7

Wigan Warriors: Jai Field, Bevan French, Willie Isa, Jake Bibby, Liam Marshall, Cade Cust, Harry Smith, Ethan Havard, Sam Powell, Liam Byrne, Liam Farrell, Kai Pearce-Paul, Morgan Smithies.

Interchange: Kaide Ellis, Oliver Partington, Joe Shorrocks, Mike Cooper.

Tries: French (16′), Bibby (55′)

Goals: Smith 2/2

Referee: Liam Moore

Attendance: 13,368