Wigan Warriors held on to extend their winning streak to six in a row with a frenzied 36-28 victory over Leigh Leopards in round 11 of the Super League at The Brick Community Stadium.
Wigan were on top in the first half through tries from Liam Marshall, Jake Wardle, Adam Keighran, Junior Nsemba and Kaide Ellis, Keighran adding four conversions to keep their points tally ticking.
Leigh managed to hit back with converted efforts from Tesi Niu and Joe Ofahengaue but were 28-12 down at the break.
Leigh managed to hit back with converted efforts from Tesi Niu and Joe Ofahengaue but were 28-12 down at the break.
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Ethan O’Neill scored two quick tries as Leigh fought back
The Leopards looked to make the game a contest as Ethan O’Neill went over twice in quick succession but tries from Zack Eckersley and Kruise Leeming brough an end to their short-lived hopes.
Owen Trout managed to get nerves jangling for the home outfit once again as he went over to bring the score to 36-28 but it was too little too late for Adrian Lam’s side.
Elsewhere, a late Ryan Hall try gave Leeds Rhinos a close 18-16 win over Hull FC.
Wigan prove too strong for Leigh in Battle of the Borough
It took only five minutes for Wigan to ensure it would not be another 1-0 between these two outfits, some magic hands from Jai Field finding Marshall unmarked out wide to scamper over in the corner, Keighran converting from out wide for the 6-0 lead.
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Liam Marshall scores the opening try
It didn’t take long until Wigan were over again, Field the instigator as he broke through the defensive line then found Wardle in support, Wigan 12-0 up and not looking like they were going to stop.
Leigh battled back into the match and managed to hit back through Niu, the powerful centre charging through from short range and Gareth O’Brien with the conversion to put the game finely poised at 12-6.
However, the Leopards hitting back gave Wigan only more intent and some Bevan French flair sent Keighran through on a brilliant line and then just two minutes later, the Warriors then pounced on a Leopards error as they allow the kick to bounce, Wardle collecting and sending onto Nsemba to run in under the sticks.
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Jake Wardle scores a second try for Wigan
Wigan’s scoring in the first 40 was then rounded off by a bizarre Ellis effort, the loose forward looking to be held up short of the line before being able to stretch over, Keighran adding two more points again to put Wigan 28-6 up.
Leigh did manage to fire back just before half-time through Ofahengaue but had a difficult 28-12 scoreline to make up in the second half.
They started well on that hunt as they were first on the scoreboard after the break as O’Neill got a double, two set restarts getting them close to the line for him to slide through before he replicated his effort, Ben McNamara taking over kicking duties to put the score at 28-22, converting one but missing the other.
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Junior Nsemba capitalises from a bounce to extend Wigan’s lead
With just a converted try separating the sides, the Warriors dented all of Leigh’s hopes just a few minutes after they had been raised, French using his stunning dancing footwork to send Eckersley diving over in the corner, giving Wigan a 10-point advantage.
The breathing room on the scoreboard gave Wigan freedom and their explosive left edge then combined to send Leeming over, a long stoppage occurring with just 15 minutes left on the clock as Eckersley stayed down with what seemed to be a neck injury.
Wigan continued to chance their arm following the break in play but it was the visitors who went over on the 75th minute, Trout running a brilliant line to walk in under the posts and McNamara converting to bring the score to 36-28.
However, the points came too late for the Leopards to make the game a contest once again.
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