Warriors lose narrowly at Leeds
- Match Report as Wigan Warriors lose narrowly against Leeds Rhinos at AMT Headingley Stadium on Saturday night.
- Wigan scored through Liam Marshall and Bevan French.
- FT | Leeds Rhinos 12-10 Wigan Warriors.
Match Report as Wigan Warriors Lose against Leeds Rhinos at AMT Headingley Stadium on Saturday night.
Jacob Douglas was a late replacement for Abbas Miski following the warm-up at AMT Headingley Stadium as the Rhinos celebrated Ryan Hall’s 500th Career game in the clash.
Leeds opened the scoring after 10 minutes through Riley Lumb before Jake Connor added a penalty goal on 28 minutes to make it 6-0 to the hosts. Wigan struck late in the first half through Liam Marshall to see the sides in at 6-4.
Wigan added a converted score from Bevan French early in the second forty to gain the lead for the first time in the match. Jack Sinfield reinstated Leeds’ advantage going into the final stages as the hosts took the two points in Round 5.
Report
It was an even opening to the game with both sides going set-for-set as Wigan went close through a Kruise Leeming break but it was Leeds who struck first as a kick from Jake Connor was spilled at the back to see James Bentley collect the loose ball and get a pass away to Riley Lumb to open the scoring. From the touchline, Jake Connor’s conversion attempt ricocheted back off the uprights and it was 4-0.
Wigan went in search of a response and despite asking some questions, Leeds stood firm to keep the score at 4-0 after 20 minutes. After a fresh set of six in front of Wigan’s goal line, the Warriors were then penalised for offside as Jake Connor shouted for the tee from where he slotted over the penalty goal to take Leeds into a 6-0 lead.
Wigan struck late in the first half as an inch perfect kick behind the defensive line from Harry Smith sat up nicely for Liam Marshall to collect and score on the left edge. The touchline conversion was off target as the Warriors went into the sheds two-points behind.
Another close contest ensued after the restart but Wigan got the first points of the second half on the board as a great cut-out pass from Harry Smith found full-back Bevan French who weaved his way through to ground the ball. Smith added the extras from out wide to take a 10-6 lead after 50 minutes.
Leeds got themselves level through Jack Sinfield on 66 minutes as a ball in the air hit Ryan Hall to see the ball loose for Sinfield to pounce, after a video referee check the try was given. Jake Connor added the extras to reinstate Leeds’ two-point advantage going into the final 12 minutes.
Shortly afterwards Leeds knocked on right in front of their own goal line, the event was challenge by captain Ash Handley but was unsuccessful to see Wigan get a full set. Wigan managed to force a goal line drop out from the set as they asked the questions in a frantic finale to the fixture. Junior Nsemba then looked to be over the line but a forward pass was called as Wigan remained two behind with 7 minutes to play.
Despite Wigan turning on the attack as they looked for the winning score, they couldn’t get over the line as Leeds claimed the narrow victory in Round 5.
Gallery:
Leeds Rhinos: Lachlan Miller, Riley Lumb, Harry Newman, Ash Handley, Ryan Hall, Brodie Croft, Jake Connor, Mikolaj Oledzki, Jarrod O’Connor, Cooper Jenkins, James Bentley, James McDonnell, Keenan Palasia.
Interchange: Jack Sinfield, Sam Lisone, Morgan Gannon, Tom Holroyd.
18th Player: Matt Frawley.
Tries: Lumb (10′), Sinfield (67′)
Goals: Connor 2/3
Wigan Warriors: Bevan French, Jacob Douglas, Zach Eckersley, Jake Wardle, Liam Marshall, Jack Farrimond, Harry Smith, Liam Byrne, Kruise Leeming, Luke Thompson, Junior Nsemba, Liam Farrell, Kaide Ellis.
Interchange: Patrick Mago, Tyler Dupree, Sam Walters, Tom Forber (Unused).
18th Player: Harvie Hill.
Tries: Marshall (39′), French (49′)
Goals: Smith 1/2
Referee: Jack Smith
