Reserves go top with win over Leeds

• Match Report as Wigan Warriors Reserves ran out winners against Leeds Rhinos.
• Wigan scored eight tries in the victory, which sees them go top of the Reserves table.
• FT | Wigan Warriors Reserves 44-24 Leeds Rhinos Reserves.

Wigan Warriors Reserves moved to the top of the table after scoring eight tries to defeat Leeds Rhinos 44-24 at Robin Park Arena.

In a rescheduled clash between the two sides, due to the original meeting being abandoned as a result of an injury, the Warriors scored eight tries through different scorers to top the table.

Report

The Warriors flew out of the blocks as Ryan Hampshire kicked a 40/20 on the Warriors first set to get them on the attack from close range and it paid profitable as Finley Beardsworth crashed over for the opening try, converted by Hampshire for 6-0.

Almost immediately, the Warriors extended their lead as a set restart close to Leeds’ goal line allowed Hampshire to fire a pass out to Sumner on the right edge to ease over. The touchline conversion from Hampshire was just off target as Wigan led 10-0.

Leeds got over for their opening score in the 12th minute as Alfie Edgell sent Bailey Aldridge through a gap in the middle of the park to go in under the sticks, Jack Smith added the extras and it was 10-6.

The Warriors extended their lead in the 17th minute as Logan Astley slipped a tackle before sending a perfect pass to Cade Cust to burst through a gap and dive over for Wigan’s third of the morning, which Hampshire improved for 16-6.

Wigan were rolling through their sets nicely and Jack Farrimond was the next to pounce for Wigan, creating a gap for himself on half way before racing away and avoiding the defenders to touch down. Hampshire was on target again as Wigan made it 22-6.

A high tackle in the 27th minute allowed Leeds close to the Wigan line and they got their reward as Gibbons managed to muscle his way over, with Smith converting. Wigan responded immediately though as a great break saw Farrimond send Eckersley away before putting Hampshire into space to race the rest of the way, converting his own try for 28-12.

From the restart, Wigan added to their tally as Nathan Lowe became the sixth player to add their name to the scoresheet, the effort was once again improved by Hampshire. Leeds responded well though and a well worked try saw Riley Lumb go over close to the sticks, converted by Jack Smith to see the score at 34-18 with half an hour to play.

Jacob Douglas got in the rout though as Wigan got another immediate response, the left winger evading a tackle attempt from Turner to eventually get the ball down in the left corner. The touchline conversion from Ryan Hampshire didn’t find the target but Wigan held the 38-18 advantage.

Tom Ratchford was the latest name on the scoresheet as he crossed from the interchange bench in the 58th minute, which again was converted by Hampshire as Wigan held a 44-18 lead going into the final quarter.

The visitors were more dominant in the closing stages, and shortly after being held up, an attempted kick through bounced kindly for Aldridge who was able to pick up and crash over the line. Smith kicked the final points of the match, as the Warriors maintained the 44-24 lead to the final whistle.

Gallery:

Wigan Warriors Reserves: Logan Astley, Reagan Sumner, Nathan Lowe, Zach Eckersley, Jacob Douglas, Ryan Hampshire, Jack Farrimond, Harvey Makin, Cade Cust, Kavan Rothwell, Finley Beardsworth, Lukas mason, Harvey Wilson.

Interchange: Ryan Brown, Trent Kelly-Duffy, Tom Ratchford, Max Wood.

18th Player: Kian McDermott.

Tries: Beardsworth (3′), Sumner (5′), Cust (17′), Farrimond (20′), Hampshire (31′), Lowe (43′), Douglas (50′), Ratchford (58′).

Goals: Hampshire 6/7.

Leeds Rhinos Reserves: Mackenzie Turner, Dylan Proud, Jack Smith, Ned McCormack, Kyden Frater, Riley Lumb, Alfie Edgell, Benjamin Hursey-Hord, Bailey Aldridge, Ben Littlewood, Joseph Gibbons, Harrison Gilmore, Zachary McSwiney.

Interchange: Shane Tuohey, Freddie Brennan-Jones, Leo Aliyu, Jack Iceton.

18th Player: Tom Stevens.

Tries: Aldridge (12′, 71′), Gibbons (27′), Lumb (48′)

Goals: Smith 4/4.

Referee: Elliot Burrow.