Academy defeat Rhinos

• Match Report as Wigan Warriors Academy recorded an impressive victory over Leeds Rhinos Academy at AMT Headingley Stadium.
• The Warriors scored six tries in West Yorkshire as Finlay Yeomans and Taylor Kerr each crossed twice.
• FT | Leeds Rhinos Academy 18-34 Wigan Warriors Academy.

Match Report as Wigan Warriors Academy scored six tries to defeat leeds rhinos Academy 34-18 at amt headingley stadium.

A fast start to the Academy League fixture saw the Warriors lead 18-12 at the break after first half tries from Finlay Yeomans, Harlen Smith and Taylor Kerr.

Yeomans and Kerr added second tries after the restart as Lukas Mason also scored as the Warriors claimed a well-earnt two points in West Yorkshire.

Report

Despite a lively start from the Rhinos, the Warriors opened the scoring inside five minutes when Finlay Yeomans wrestled his way over in the corner. Jack Farrimond made no mistake with his first kick from the tee to put Wigan 6-0 ahead.

The Warriors were forced into an early interchange when Charlie Yeomans went off injured, however, Wigan continued their momentum as Harlen Smith took advantage of a dropped kick to score in the corner. Farrimond once again added the extras with 13 minutes on the clock.

The hosts momentarily reduced the points difference when Jacob Stead crashed over before Harley Thomas added the extras, however, Wigan crossed for a third try mid-way through the half.

The Rhinos were unable to withstand pressure applied from the Warriors as Taylor Kerr eventually powered through from short range with Farrimond kicking the extras to make the score 18-6.

Interchange Jayemm Oladipupo crashed over on the half hour to cut Wigan’s lead to six points, before strong defensive work from the hosts denied the Warriors a fourth try before the break. Leo Wadsworth was shown a yellow card for denying a quick restart with the final action of the half, as Wigan led 18-12 at the interval.

The Warriors restarted the second half at pace, and despite being down to 12-men, Kerr…

With Wigan back to 13 players on the field, the Warriors increased their lead further after 54 minutes when Lukas Mason broke through the final tackle to score. Farrimond continued his perfect record from the tee to make the score 30-12.

In the hope of getting back into the contest, Leeds were rewarded for continued pressure on the Warriors line when Presley Cassell’s pass allowed Joe Phillips to dive over. Thomas added the extras to make the score 30-18 on 62 minutes.

Both teams were reduced to 12-men after Leeds’ Thomas and Wigan’s Dylan Kelly-Duffy were shown yellow cards for their involvement in a coming together with 12 minutes of the clash remaining.

The Warriors sealed a hard-fought victory two minutes later when breaks from Josh Cartwright and Jack Farrimond set Wigan up in a strong attacking position before a fifth tackle kick was batted into the path of F. Yeomans who crossed for his second. Farrimond was unsuccessful with the kick as Wigan saw out the closing stages to win 34-18.

Leeds Rhinos: Joe Diskin, Callum Webster, Harley Thomas, Marcus Qareqare, Dax Millington, Fergus McCormack, Harry Smith, Joe Phillips, Alex Cowley, Joe Butterfield, Jacob Stead, Noah Whittingham, Presley Cassell.

Interchange: Mason Corbett, Jayemm Oladipupo, Lore Jones-Buchanan, Bobby Hartley.

18th Player: Dylan Hutchinson

Tries: Stead (16′), Oladipupo (29′), Phillips (62′),

Goals: Thomas (3/3).

Sin-bin: Thomas (68′).

Wigan Warriors: Austin Daniel, Harlen Smith, Finlay Yeomans, Josh Cartwright, Jaiden Drachenberg, Charlie Yeomans, Jack Farrimond, Kalum Rathbone, Jack Purtill, Kian McDermott, Trent Kelly-Duffy, Lukas Mason, Taylor Kerr.

Interchange: Reece Rowcroft, Leo Wadsworth, Jack Bibey, Dylan Kelly-Duffy.

18th Player: Mike Porter

Tries: F. Yeomans (4′, 70′), Smith (12′), Kerr (20′, 44′), Mason (54′).

Goals: Farrimond (5/6).

Sin-bin: Wadsworth (39′), D. Kelly-Duffy (68′).