Warriors Wheelchair narrowly beaten by Rhinos

• Wigan Warriors Wheelchair were narrowly beaten by Leeds Rhinos in a thrilling encounter on Saturday afternoon.
• Jack Heggie registered 24-points on the afternoon.
• FT | Wigan Warriors Wheelchair 36-42 Leeds Rhinos Wheelchair.

Match Report as Wigan Warriors Wheelchair were narrowly beaten by Leeds Rhinos Wheelchair despite a spirited second half fightback at Robin Park Leisure Centre.

It was the visitors who opened the scoring with Tom Halliwell finding a space in the left corner. He was then able to add the extra two points for a 6-0 lead. Quick to hit back, Jack Heggie’s delayed pass to Adam Rigby gave his teammate the opportunity to sprint away from the half way line. It was Heggie who converted the try to level the scores.

A period of tense play ensued with both defences working overtime to keep their opponents out. It was only an error by Wigan whilst attacking the Leeds line that brought it to an end. Picking up the loose ball, Halliwell was just about able to hold off the chasing Chris Greenhalgh and score his second of the day.

Looking to have tied the scores again, Greenhalgh was disappointed when his try was ruled out for a forward pass in the right corner. This leaving Leeds 4 points in front.

Having come off the interchange bench midway through the half, Nathan Collins was the next to cross after he chased his own kick to collect the bouncing ball just inches from the line. He was then also able to add the extras.

Sealing a commanding first half lead, the Rhinos were able to score again when an overlap gave Josh Butler too much room out wide. Collins slotted over the conversion for a 22-6 half time score.

The second half continued in the same vain, Ewan Clibbens was the first to cross the line, before Collins made it two after being on the receiving end of a Halliwell kick. Two further successful conversions had now opened up a 28 point lead.

An electric period was to follow, with Heggie starting the comeback following some slick handling by Dec and Phil Roberts. Doubling his tally, Heggie was able to reach out close to the line and score once again. As well as scoring the tries, he was keeping the scoreboard ticking over by also adding the conversions.

A similar try was next up when Dec Roberts became the third Warriors player to score, before Heggie completed his hat-trick after a short pass from Roberts. Making it 5 from 5 from the kicking tee, Heggie had now brought the score back to 34-30 in favour of the Away side.

A Clibbens try out wide, with just 5 minutes to play got Leeds further in front but Wigan still had something left to give. Battling through the pain barrier, Dec Roberts took the ball deep into the defensive line and was able to wrestle away from any would be tacklers and get the ball down. Continuing his 100% record from the tee, Heggie reduced the gap to just 4 points.

Leeds had time to bring the game to a close with a penalty. Collins running down the clock with his final kick of the afternoon to make it Wigan 36-42 Leeds.

Wigan Warriors: Chris Greenhalgh, Nathan Roberts, Jack Heggie, Adam Rigby, Phil Roberts

Interchanges: Dec Roberts, Mark Williams, Toby Burton-Carter

9th Man: Dan Dutson

Tries: Rigby, Heggie (3), D.Roberts (2)

Goals: Heggie (6/6)

Leeds Rhinos: Nathan Mulhall, Becky Wilkinson, Ewan Clibbens, Tom Halliwell, Jodie Boyd-Ward

Interchanges: Josh Butler, Verity Smith, Nathan Collins

Tries: Halliwell (2), Collins (2), Butler, Clibbens (2),

Goals: Halliwell (1/1), Clibbens (0/1), Collins (6/6)

By Stuart Cooke.