Scholarship win over Leigh
- Match Report as Wigan Warriors Scholars beat Leigh Leopards Scholars at Robin Park Arena.
- The Warriors crossed for 11 tries to extend their winning run to four matches.
- FT | Wigan Warriors 64-6 Leigh Leopards.
Wigan Warriors Scholars extented their unbeaten run with a 64-6 win over Leigh Leopards Scholars at Robin Park Arena.
The Warriors built a pleasing half time lead after tries from Alex Higham, Henry Briscoe, Isaac Makhaza, Harrison Oakes, Finlay Davies and Clayton Mayberry.
Despite the Leopards scoring shortly after the restart, the Warriors added further tries from Oakes, Lucas Fetherston, Liam Cartwright and Calderbank-Mannix’s double to make it four wins from four.
Report
The Warriors opened the scoring after six minutes when a clever offload to Tommy O’Connor saw the hooker take Wigan 20m out before Higham weaved around the Leigh defence to score. Briscoe added the extras for a 6-0 lead.
Having kept three successive Leigh sets out, the Warriors capitalised on a high shot to extend their advantage with 23 minutes on the clock. After a firm carry through the middle from (No.14), Briscoe picked up to scoot over before kicking the additional points.
Despite a strong tackle from Leigh’s Jack Egerton denying immediate points from the restart, patient play from the Warriors resulted in a third try when Higham’s pass to Makhaza saw the centre cut back inside to score. Briscoe was successful from the tee to make the score 18-0.
The Warriors continued to apply pressure to the Leigh defence as Higham once more timed a pass perfectly for Oakes to touch down in the right corner. Briscoe widened the points difference from the touchline.
An emphatic end to the half saw the Warriors add further tries before the hooter. First Davies crossed on the left edge before a powerful carry from No.14 resulted in a sixth try beneath the sticks. Briscoe maintained his perfect kicking record to give Wigan a 36-0 lead at the break.
The Leopards scored the first points of the second half when the bounce of the ball favoured the visitors who grounded under pressure with George McDermott adding the extras.
The Warriors had to wait until the hour to add further points, but two quick-fire tries widened the advantage to 46-6. First a fine move along the right edge saw Higham send Oakes over for his second before a powerful carry from Fetherston saw him ground next to the sticks.
A ball steal on Tate Brown presented the Warriors with a fresh set deep inside the Leopards half, from which points were added when Davies’ cut-out pass on the last sent Calderbank-Mannix over in the corner. Alex Carlile successfully added the extras to extend the lead to 46-6.
As Leigh attempted to increase their points total, Ben Farrimond intercepted a pass to make more than 50m before being halted by an ankle tap. The Warriors worked the ball to the right side where Cartwright cut inside to score with Carlile adding the extras.
The Warriors scored their final try of the clash with minutes remaining when Calderbank-Mannix caught a loose ball before showing strength to ground his second of the match.
Gallery:
Wigan Warriors: Bobby Hughes, Harrison Oakes, Finlay Davies, Isaac Makhaza, Toby Calderbank-Mannix, Alex Higham, Henry Briscoe, Louie Sculthorpe, Tommy O’Connor, Cody Lyons-Ashworth, Ben Farrimond, Jack Myers, Will Dootson.
Interchange: Clayton Mayberry, Alex Carlile, Lucas Fetherston, Tate Brown, Aiden Wright, Alfie Allender, Liam Cartwright.
Tries: Higham (6′), Briscoe (23′), Makhaza (29′), Oakes (33′, 60′), Finlay Davies (37′), Mayberry (39′), Fetherston (64′), Calderbank-Mannix (70′, 78′), Cartwright (74′).
Goals: Briscoe (6/6), O’Connor (0/1), Carlile (4/4).
Leigh Leopards: Ronan Parry, Jayden Greeley, Mason Cotton, Aidan Wright, Jack Egerton, George McDermott, Sonny Astley, Ollie Sinnot, Deacon Charnock, James Nicholson, Harrison Pearson, Charlie Leech, Joel Makin.
Interchange: Oliver Sumner, Harry Miller, Haddison Etchou, Lucas O’Connor, Austin Townsend, Jake Fleming, Stephen Charnley.
Tries: (42′).
Goals: McDermott (1/1).
